Being Available: Sharing Faith with Sincerity and Love
Summary
Over the past month, we have been exploring what it means to be equipped, connected, and active in sharing our faith, rooted in the grace we have received from Jesus. Today, we reflected on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8, drawing encouragement from how God works through ordinary people who are willing to listen and respond to His Spirit. Philip’s journey reminds us that God often sends those who are simply available, not necessarily those with perfect plans or eloquent words. His willingness to follow the Spirit’s prompting led him to a spiritually curious man, already seeking God, and opened the door for a life-changing encounter.
We see in this story that God not only sends the willing but also prepares the hearts of those who are searching. The Ethiopian official was already reading Isaiah, wrestling with questions, and ready for someone to walk alongside him. This challenges us to be attentive listeners, to ask thoughtful questions, and to recognize that God may already be at work in the lives of those around us, even before we speak.
Our role is not to argue or convince people into the kingdom, but to point them to Jesus with sincerity and love. Sharing our faith is less about having all the answers and more about sharing what we know and have experienced. Whether through a testimony, a simple conversation, or a listening ear, we are called to lift up Jesus and trust God with the results.
As a community, we were encouraged to reflect on our own experiences—moments when we felt prompted to speak, barriers we face in sharing our faith, and the people we are praying for. Through small group conversations and open mic sharing, we saw that God uses our stories, big and small, to encourage one another and to build up the body of Christ. Ultimately, we are reminded that our responsibility is to be faithful and available, letting God do the transforming work in people’s hearts.
Key Takeaways
- God Sends the Willing: God does not require us to have a perfect plan or a detailed strategy before He can use us. What He seeks is a heart that is open and responsive to His Spirit’s prompting, just as Philip was willing to go where he was sent without knowing the full picture. Our availability is often more important than our ability, and God delights in using those who simply say “yes” to Him. [34:26]
- God Prepares the Listener: Before Philip ever spoke, the Ethiopian eunuch was already seeking, reading Scripture, and asking questions. This reminds us that God is at work in people’s lives long before we arrive; our role is to join the conversation He has already started. We are called to listen well, ask meaningful questions, and trust that spiritual curiosity is often a sign of God’s preparation. [32:25]
- Point People to Jesus, Not Arguments: It is not our job to argue or reason someone into faith, but to point them to Jesus with authenticity and love. Sharing our testimony and the good news is about lifting up Christ, not about having all the answers or winning debates. The pressure is off us to convert; our calling is to faithfully share and let God do the convincing. [38:26]
- Faithfulness in Small Steps: Sometimes the most significant acts of obedience are small—listening to a nudge, asking a question, or sharing a simple story. We may not see immediate results, but God uses these moments to plant seeds and open hearts. Our faithfulness in the ordinary can have extraordinary impact when we trust God with the outcome. [57:00]
- Community Encouragement and Accountability: Sharing our experiences, challenges, and prayers with one another strengthens our resolve and reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. The act of telling our stories, whether in small groups or publicly, builds up the church and encourages us to keep stepping out in faith. God uses our collective witness to multiply His grace in the world. [52:28]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Series Recap: Equipping and Sharing Faith
[02:30] - Stories from the Field Introduction
[04:10] - Review: God’s Heart for the Lost
[06:00] - Frameworks for Sharing Faith
[08:15] - Encouragement from Acts
[10:00] - Philip and the Ethiopian: The Story
[13:20] - God Sends the Willing
[15:00] - God Prepares the Listener
[17:00] - Pointing People to Jesus
[19:30] - Small Group Discussion Instructions
[22:00] - Peer Sharing Time
[27:00] - Open Mic Sharing
[31:00] - Reflections and Encouragement
[33:00] - Prayer and Sending Out
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: God Sends the Willing (Acts 8:26-40)
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### Bible Reading
Acts 8:26-40 (ESV)
> 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
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### Observation Questions
1. What instructions did Philip receive from the angel and the Holy Spirit, and how did he respond? (Acts 8:26-30)
2. What was the Ethiopian eunuch doing when Philip met him, and what does this tell us about his spiritual state? (Acts 8:28-31)
3. How did Philip approach the eunuch’s questions about Scripture, and what was the result of their conversation? (Acts 8:34-38)
4. According to the sermon, what does Philip’s willingness to follow the Spirit’s prompting teach us about being used by God? [[34:26]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Philip, an “ordinary” believer, for this encounter instead of someone with a special title or position? What does this suggest about who God can use? [[34:26]]
2. The Ethiopian eunuch was already reading Isaiah and seeking understanding before Philip arrived. What does this reveal about how God prepares people’s hearts before we even speak to them? [[32:25]]
3. The sermon said our job is not to argue people into the kingdom but to point them to Jesus with sincerity and love. Why is this distinction important, and how might it change the way we share our faith? [[38:26]]
4. The story ends with the eunuch rejoicing and Philip moving on. What does this say about our role in someone’s faith journey and the results we might see (or not see)? [[57:00]]
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### Application Questions
1. Have you ever felt a nudge or prompting from God to speak to someone or take a step of faith? What happened, and how did you respond? If you haven’t, what might help you be more attentive to the Spirit’s leading? [[34:26]]
2. The Ethiopian eunuch was spiritually curious and already seeking God. Who in your life do you sense might be spiritually open or asking questions, even if they don’t use “church” language? How can you be a good listener and ask thoughtful questions this week? [[32:25]]
3. The sermon reminded us that we don’t need to have all the answers or a perfect plan to share our faith. What are some fears or barriers that hold you back from sharing? How could you take a small step to overcome one of those barriers this week? [[38:26]]
4. Think of a recent conversation where you could have pointed someone to Jesus, even in a small way. What might you do differently next time to lift up Christ rather than focus on arguments or having the “right” answer? [[38:26]]
5. The story of Philip and the eunuch shows that sometimes our role is just to be available and faithful, even if we don’t see immediate results. How do you feel about sharing your faith when you don’t know the outcome? What helps you trust God with the results? [[57:00]]
6. As a group, how can we encourage and support each other in sharing our stories and praying for those who don’t yet know Jesus? Is there someone you’d like us to pray for together this week? [[52:28]]
7. The sermon encouraged us to share our experiences, both big and small, to build up the church. Would you be willing to share a story—no matter how ordinary—about a time you tried to share your faith or felt God at work? What did you learn from it? [[52:28]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to give you open hearts, attentive ears, and courage to be available for His purposes this week.
Devotional
Day 1: God Sends the Willing
God delights in using those who are open and available, not those with perfect plans or elaborate strategies. Philip’s story in Acts 8 shows that a heart willing to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting is all that is required; he didn’t have a detailed agenda, but simply obeyed when God nudged him to go. In the same way, you don’t need to have everything figured out—just a readiness to step out in faith when God leads, whether that means starting a conversation, offering a listening ear, or sharing a story. Trust that God will use your willingness, even in small steps, to bring His grace to others. [34:26]
Acts 8:26-29 (ESV)
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
Reflection: When was the last time you sensed a nudge from God to reach out to someone? What would it look like to say “yes” to that prompting this week, even if you don’t have a plan?
Day 2: God Prepares the Listener
Long before Philip met the Ethiopian official, God was already at work in the man’s heart, stirring curiosity and a desire to understand the Scriptures. There are people around you who are spiritually curious, even if they don’t use the same language or have the same background. By asking thoughtful questions and listening well, you may discover that God has already begun a conversation in their lives. Be attentive to the ways God prepares others, and be ready to join in where He is already moving. [34:26]
Acts 8:30-31 (ESV)
So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Reflection: Who in your life seems spiritually curious or open? How can you ask a gentle, thoughtful question this week that might help them take a step closer to Jesus?
Day 3: Point People to Jesus
It is not our job to argue or convince people into the kingdom of God; rather, we are called to simply point others to Jesus. Like Philip, who began with the Ethiopian’s questions and the Scriptures he was reading, we can share what we know and lift up Jesus in the moments God gives us. You don’t need to be a scholar—just share your story and the goodness of Jesus as you have experienced it, trusting God to do the work in people’s hearts. [38:26]
Acts 8:34-35 (ESV)
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Reflection: What is one simple way you can point someone to Jesus this week—perhaps by sharing a personal story or a truth about Him that has impacted you?
Day 4: Faithful Steps, Not Perfect Outcomes
God calls us to be faithful and available, not to guarantee results. Sometimes sharing your faith may not lead to immediate visible change, but your role is to step out in obedience and let God do the transforming work. Even small steps—like a kind word, a prayer, or a listening ear—can be used by God in ways you may never see. Trust that your faithfulness matters, and that God is the one who brings growth and change in people’s lives. [57:00]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
Reflection: Is there someone you’ve been praying for or reaching out to, but haven’t seen much change? How can you entrust the outcome to God and focus on simply being faithful today?
Day 5: Lives Worthy of the Gospel
Our words matter, but the way we live can speak even louder. Living a life that is winsome, gracious, and open to others invites conversations and points people to the hope we have in Jesus. As you go about your week, ask God to help you live in a way that reflects His love and grace, so that your life itself becomes an invitation for others to know Him. [58:03]
Philippians 1:27 (ESV)
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out the gospel this week—at work, at home, or in your community—so that your life invites others to ask about your hope?
Quotes
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