Bible Reading
Acts 8:26-40 “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.' 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. 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. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.' 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. 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?' And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 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.”
[54:38]Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
[56:24]1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
[01:08:46]Observation questions
- What contrast is there between the ministry Philip leaves in Samaria and the assignment he receives on the desert road? What information does God give him before he goes? [55:03]
- In Acts 8:29–35, what steps does Philip take from approaching the chariot to sharing the good news about Jesus? How does the Ethiopian’s question shape their conversation? [01:06:45]
- How does the Ethiopian respond after hearing about Jesus, and what does the passage tell us about him after Philip leaves? [01:12:37]
- In 1 Peter 3:15, what attitudes should accompany a believer’s explanation of Christian hope? [01:08:46]
Interpretation questions
- How does Philip’s willingness to go without a full explanation illustrate the trust described in Proverbs 3:5–6? What is the difference between seeking understanding and making understanding a condition of obedience? [57:46]
- Philip begins with the Ethiopian’s actual question rather than a prepared argument. Why does this matter when someone has sincere questions about faith? [01:08:19]
- How can a Christian be prepared to explain the hope of Christ while still admitting that some questions remain unanswered? What might honesty communicate to the person asking? [01:10:25]
- What does God’s sending Philip to one traveler suggest about how believers should measure the importance of an opportunity to serve or share Christ? [01:11:50]
Application questions
- Is there something God has already made clear—forgiving someone, loving a neighbor, serving, or sharing Christ—that you have been putting off? What might a first faithful step look like this week? [58:25]
- Where does your schedule make it hardest to notice people? What small adjustment could help you listen and care without assuming that every interruption is an assignment from God? [01:02:03]
- Think of someone in your life who is struggling or asking questions about God. What could you ask that would help you understand their concerns before offering answers? [01:05:11]
- Have you held back from talking about Jesus because you were afraid of not knowing enough? How could you respond honestly and respectfully if someone asked a question you could not answer? [01:10:25]
- If someone asked what Jesus has done in your life, what would you share? Practice a brief answer that includes why his death and resurrection give you hope. [01:11:17]
- If a missed opportunity still troubles you, what would help you learn from it without staying stuck in guilt? Who could you give faithful attention to now, and how could this group encourage you? [01:04:54]
