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Stewardship

Character Goal: Stewardship is being faithful in managing the things entrusted to you by God.

Biblical Character: Lydia

Scripture Readings: Acts 16:13‑34, 40

Discussion Questions:

• Who does the passage point out as one of the women who listened as Paul and his travel companions shared the Gospel with them?
• What does verse 14 tell us about her? Which of these two descriptions is most important? Why? (Her occupation or her faith)
• How do people describe you? What type of woman would you like to be described as? What is one goal you can set in order to become the woman you want to be?
• What did the Lord do for Lydia after she heard Paul’s message? What does this tell us about God and the work of salvation in our lives?
• What message can we assume that Lydia heard from God? Have you responded to this message? If so, how has your life changed as a result?
• After hearing and believing in the Gospel, Lydia responds to the message in what two ways?
• Lydia was a businesswoman, head of her household, and most importantly a believer in Jesus Christ. In what ways do we see her stewarding these aspects of her life for God’s glory?
• Lydia is a great example of how the Gospel motivates us to be good stewards of the resources God has given us. God has given you the ability to play your sport. How can you steward this ability to serve others and bring Him glory?
• What happened as Paul and Silas were on their way to pray? How did Paul respond to the female slave possessed by the evil spirit?
• How did her owners respond? How were Paul and Silas treated by the authorities and the crowd? Where did they end up?
• What were Paul and Silas doing at midnight? Who was listening to them? What do you think they thought about these two men?
• What miracle happened in the jail as they praised God? Who witnessed this miracle?
• How did the jailer respond to this miracle and the message that Paul and Silas gave him?
• What did Paul and Silas choose to do in the midst of their suffering?
• Paul and Silas were entrusted with a trial and used their time in prison to glorify God. As a result of their faithfulness, even in the midst of hardship, God saved a jailer and his whole household. What does this teach us about the trials and hardships God allows in our lives and how our response to them can influence others? How can we steward hardships well?
• Whose house does Paul and Silas return to after they get out of prison? What took place among the believers in her home?
• As a female athlete, what are some difficulties you have faced or are currently facing? How can you steward the things God has entrusted to you and use them for His glory in the midst of your circumstances?
• What does this story teach you about God? Women? How can you apply these truths to your life?
• What is one thing I learned from this story that I can apply to my life before the next lesson?

Core Truths:

• God desires for us to express the love we have received from Him towards others.
• The relationships, position, resources, and character traits we have been given are not for us but are to be used freely for the advancement of His kingdom.
• Faithfulness to God during times of difficulty can result in the salvation of others.

Training for Godliness:

Athletes often get confused about their identity. They begin to evaluate their success as a person based on their success (or failure) as an athlete. They mistakenly equate “what they do” (point guard, golfer, center, pitcher, etc.) with “who they are” (God’s creation who is loved, forgiven, and cherished). Lydia sold purple cloth in her city but most importantly she was a follower of Christ - that is WHO she was. Do you struggle with finding your identity in your sport? What are some ways you can remember who you are in Christ vs. what you do on the court or field? How can you use what you have been given and steward that to be who you are in Christ?

Memory Verse: “She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants.” - Proverbs 31:24