Open Hearts Series 2025
Sunday Morning’s message 19th of January 2025
Pastor David Jones
citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEmQG5uEL8I
Objective
Encourage everyone in the group to open their hearts and allow God to use them in spreading the gospel message. To understand that God opens the heart of a person to receive Jesus. And only He alone can do this, so let’s trust the work of the Father.
Leaders Note
Encourage everyone to allow God by his Spirit to reveal Jesus a fresh. Following Jesus is the most exciting and yet challenging adventure we could ever go on. We would be YES people to the purposes and plans of God and make ourselves available to Him.
Please choose what best suits your group and fits time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Have fun Jesus People!
Discussion Time
Introduction
It’s wonderful to gather together today to reflect on how God opens hearts to the gospel message. The story we’re looking at today from Acts 16:11-15 gives us a profound picture of God’s work in opening hearts and breaking down barriers. Let’s start with a prayer, inviting God to speak to each of us.
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for bringing us together today. We ask that You open our hearts to Your Word, just as You opened Lydia's heart to receive. Speak to us through this passage and help us to understand Your sovereignty and Your great love for all people. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Reading of Scripture:
Acts 16:11-15: "From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we travelled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us."
Key Themes
God Speaks and Prepares the Way
Before Paul and his companions even reached Philippi, they were being guided by the Holy Spirit. We see that Paul had clear instructions, and the Spirit led him to this very place where he would meet Lydia. (Acts 16:6-10) This reminds us that everything starts from our relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is the one who guides, leads, and speaks to us. Our role is to listen and obey, just as Paul did.
Discussion Question: How do you experience God speaking to you in your daily life? How do you know when it’s the Holy Spirit guiding you?
God Prepares the Time and Place
Paul and his companions go to a place of prayer by the river, where a group of women had gathered. The fact that there was no synagogue in Philippi shows that this place of prayer was a key meeting point for those seeking God through prayer and fellowship.
Lydia was one of these women. Though she was not a full convert to Judaism or received Jesus, she was already worshiping God and seeking truth. God had been preparing her heart for this moment when Paul would speak to her.
Discussion Question: Have you ever encountered someone whose heart was already prepared to hear the gospel? How did that make you feel as you shared the message with them?
God Opens Hearts Through Our Prayers
We notice that Paul first went to a place of prayer before speaking. Prayer was central to his ministry and mission. In prayer, God opened hearts and gave Paul the words to speak. Prayer is where we open ourselves up to God, listen to His voice, and wait for His direction.
It’s in those quiet moments of prayer that God can prepare our hearts to share His message and soften the hearts of those we speak to.
Discussion Question: How does prayer affect your ability to share the gospel with others? What is your practice of prayer before sharing your faith?
God Alone Opens the Heart
The passage emphasises that it was the Lord who opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message. It wasn’t Paul’s eloquence or persuasive ability that caused Lydia to believe—it was God’s sovereign work in her heart. This is such an encouraging truth! It reminds us that we are not responsible for “convincing” others to follow Christ. It is God who draws people to Himself.
Discussion Question: How does it encourage you to know that it’s God who opens hearts, not our own efforts? How does this shape your approach to evangelism?
"The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message." — Acts 16:14
Reflection on God's Sovereignty
In the case of Lydia, we see God’s sovereignty in action. He knew when the right time was for her to hear the gospel, and He prepared her heart for that moment. This isn’t a random event—it’s a reminder that God is in control and is always working behind the scenes.
Discussion Question: How does reflecting on God’s sovereignty in salvation shape your view of sharing the gospel? Do you ever feel pressure, or do you trust that God is working in people’s hearts even when we can’t see it?
Application
The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus:
The good news is that Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected for us. He made a way for us to be reconciled to God, and through faith in Him, we have eternal life. That’s the message we carry and share with others.
Discussion Question: When sharing the gospel, how do you focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ? How can we better communicate that it’s about relationship with Jesus, not just facts or beliefs?
Surrender to Jesus
Lydia’s response to the gospel was not just intellectual—it led to a decision to be baptised and to invite the apostles into her home. Her faith became a public declaration. We too are invited to surrender to Jesus, to follow Him with open hearts, and to allow the gospel to transform our lives.
Discussion Question: How does surrendering to Jesus impact your daily life? In what ways do you live out your faith in a public way, just like Lydia?
Conclusion
As we look ahead, let’s be reminded that God is at work preparing hearts all around us. Just as God opened Lydia’s heart, He is working in the hearts of people in our lives, and we are invited to be a part of His plan of salvation.
At the end of this passage, Lydia and her household were baptised, and she opened her home to the apostles. This shows us that the gospel not only transforms individuals but also has the power to impact families and communities. Let’s pray that our hearts—and the hearts of those we encounter—would be open to receive the gospel.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for opening our hearts to the gospel. Just as You opened Lydia’s heart, we pray that You would open the hearts of those around us. Help us to be faithful in sharing Your message, knowing that it is You who prepares the way and draws people to Yourself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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