Lydia Sunday School Class

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 20:18 CST, by Admin

Are you looking for a special place where you can not only study the Bible but develop a close relationship with other women? Are you ready to receive support from others who will pray and share problems with one another? Do you long to talk freely without criticism? Are you ready for a class where women are trying to live the Christian life in spite of the problems in the world around us? If you are looking for a Sunday school class that not only studies the Bible but tries to make practical applications to life, then the Lydia class is a good place to start.

The Lydia Sunday School Class began in April 2000 when God laid it on my heart that Hillside needed a class for a younger group of women. There were several established women's classes but the need for a new direction was exactly what the Lord was guiding me into. The class began with one other woman (from one of the other women's classes) and me, but we built our class from ladies who attended preaching services but did not attend Sunday school.

Our membership has thirteen members with ten to eleven in regular attendance. The age of our class members range from mid-forties to mid-sixties. We are a support group for each other. We share personal burdens with the understanding that what is said in our class is not repeated outside except to God when we pray about the situation. We cry and pray together. And we attempt to reach the hem of His garment to receive healing from many problems.

The name of our class comes from Lydia, the name of a New Testament lady noted for her good hospitality. The Bible lists good hospitality as a good Christian characteristic to emulate. It seemed to fit our class and was more appropriate for our overall goal. We actually have four women in our class named Linda, a fact that also influenced our choice of class name.

There have been times when we would have a special study instead of using the printed curriculum. One lesson that we spent nine weeks studying was the two-verse prayer of Jabez. We had a detailed study of the tabernacle that was built during the Hebrew wanderings during the time of Moses. Presently we are in a study of the Old Testament in chronological order. We all have a chronological Bibles where the books and verses are listed according to the Biblical time sequence. We read and discuss every verse in class. To prepare for class we read three chapters and cover what we can in class. Sometimes we read a chapter several times outside class before we actually get to it during class time. No question or comment is unimportant in our Bible discussion. This study will enable us to get a glimpse of the history of God's people, connect the Bible stories we have heard since our youth, and better understand much of the New Testament.

We meet once a month for fellowship. We always find a way to have a meal and have a good Christian time together. Sometimes we meet in a member's home and sometimes we meet at a restaurant. We share personal needs and have a class prayer chain as part of our support system. We are always 'there' for each other - just a phone call away.

We welcome any lady to visit us or join our class. Each class member has faced a myriad of life's problems. No doubt, the problem you are experiencing now has already been faced by at least one of our class members. We believe God allows us to experience burdens to grow us in Christian character and to help those who face what God has already carried us through. We offer you a class of women who cares for you and will pray for the burdens you carry. Any burden is always lighter when a friend walks beside you and helps carry the load.

Our classroom is located across the hall from the church office. We'd love to have you join us.
Jene Stafford