Go and TellGo and TellDec. 26Dec. 26

Think About It …Think About It …

• What reading material do you find difficult to understand?

• Today we find a man who had a hard time understanding scripture.

We look at Philip who was sent by God to witness to him

Listen for differences in cultures between two men.

Acts 8:26-29 (NIV) Now an angel of the Acts 8:26-29 (NIV) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--

the desert road--that goes down from the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." [27] So he started out, Jerusalem to Gaza." [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch,

an important official in charge of all the an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the treasury of Candace, queen of the

Listen for differences in cultures between two men.

Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was to worship, [28] and on his way home was

sitting in his chariot reading the book of sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip, Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip,

"Go to that chariot and stay near it." "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Seize Each OpportunitySeize Each Opportunity

• What differences do you see between What differences do you see between Philip and the Ethiopian official?Philip and the Ethiopian official?

• Which of these could have been obstacles Which of these could have been obstacles to Philip’s witnessing efforts?to Philip’s witnessing efforts?

• What evidence do we see in the passage What evidence do we see in the passage that would tell us about the spiritual that would tell us about the spiritual sensitivity of Philip?sensitivity of Philip?

PhillipPhillip Ethiopian EunuchEthiopian Eunuch

Seize Each OpportunitySeize Each Opportunity

• What about going up to the Ethiopian What about going up to the Ethiopian riding in his chariot? What kind of excuses riding in his chariot? What kind of excuses might Philip have made about approaching might Philip have made about approaching him?him?

• What kind of excuses do we make for not What kind of excuses do we make for not talking about Jesus with nonbelievers?talking about Jesus with nonbelievers?

Seize Each OpportunitySeize Each Opportunity

• Note that God first told Philip to head on Note that God first told Philip to head on down the road, then he told him to down the road, then he told him to approach the chariot. Why does God approach the chariot. Why does God often lead us step by step rather than with often lead us step by step rather than with his whole plan at once?his whole plan at once?

• Consider the fact that is it important to be obedient each step along the way … especially the first!

Explain the ScriptureExplain the Scripture

• Recall a time when you had difficulty Recall a time when you had difficulty following travel directions or understanding following travel directions or understanding road signs?road signs?

• Listen for someone who had difficulty Listen for someone who had difficulty understanding a written description.understanding a written description.

Listen for someone who had difficulty Listen for someone who had difficulty understanding a written description.understanding a written description.

Acts 8:30-35 (NIV) Then Philip ran up to the Acts 8:30-35 (NIV) Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you the prophet. "Do you understand what you

are reading?" Philip asked. [31] "How can I," are reading?" Philip asked. [31] "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to he said, "unless someone explains it to

me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] The eunuch was reading this with him. [32] The eunuch was reading this

passage of Scripture: "He was led like a passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, sheep to the slaughter,

Listen for someone who had difficulty Listen for someone who had difficulty understanding a written description.understanding a written description.

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [33] In his humiliation he did not open his mouth. [33] In his humiliation he

was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the descendants? For his life was taken from the

earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" [35] Then Philip began with or someone else?" [35] Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the that very passage of Scripture and told him the

good news about Jesus. good news about Jesus.

Explain the ScriptureExplain the Scripture

• The Ethiopian had trouble understanding Isaiah The Ethiopian had trouble understanding Isaiah 53 … in what way?53 … in what way?

• How was this a perfect setup for Philip to How was this a perfect setup for Philip to communicate the Gospel message?communicate the Gospel message?

• What does the story imply about how believers What does the story imply about how believers need to be prepared to lead people to Jesus?need to be prepared to lead people to Jesus?

• What are evidences you would look for that What are evidences you would look for that indicate a person is interested in spiritual indicate a person is interested in spiritual matters?matters?

Listen for what further steps the Listen for what further steps the Ethiopian makes in his spiritual life.Ethiopian makes in his spiritual life.

Acts 8:36-40 (NIV) As they traveled along Acts 8:36-40 (NIV) As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" [37] [38] And he shouldn't I be baptized?" [37] [38] And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. water and Philip baptized him.

Listen for what further steps the Listen for what further steps the Ethiopian makes in his spiritual life.Ethiopian makes in his spiritual life.

[39] When they came up out of the water, [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip

away, and the eunuch did not see him away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. [40] again, but went on his way rejoicing. [40] Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all traveled about, preaching the gospel in all

the towns until he reached Caesarea. the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Invite a ResponseInvite a Response• How might the Ethiopian known he needed How might the Ethiopian known he needed

to be baptized?to be baptized?• How would you explain the meaning of How would you explain the meaning of

baptism to a person of another culture? baptism to a person of another culture? • What kinds of things could our Sunday What kinds of things could our Sunday

School class do to help a new believer School class do to help a new believer become strong in faith and commitment?become strong in faith and commitment?

• What other basic things (along with What other basic things (along with baptism) should we teach new believers?baptism) should we teach new believers?

ApplicationApplication

• Consider rating on a scale of 1 to 5 how Consider rating on a scale of 1 to 5 how willing you are for God to change your willing you are for God to change your plans in order to use you as a witness plans in order to use you as a witness (1 = “not very” to 5 = “let’s go for it”)(1 = “not very” to 5 = “let’s go for it”)– Think about those who were willing to share Think about those who were willing to share

salvation with you … thank God for them … salvation with you … thank God for them … thank them for doing sothank them for doing so

– Ask God to make you more willing than you Ask God to make you more willing than you are noware now

ApplicationApplication

• What contact do you have with people What contact do you have with people who are culturally different from yourself?who are culturally different from yourself?– NeighborsNeighbors– People you work withPeople you work with– People who run businesses you frequentPeople who run businesses you frequent

• Get to know them and ask God for Get to know them and ask God for opportunities to cross that culture barrier opportunities to cross that culture barrier with the Good Newswith the Good News

ApplicationApplication

• Ask God to help you initiate and seize Ask God to help you initiate and seize opportunities to share your faith with opportunities to share your faith with people this weekpeople this week– Study the FAITH presentation or some other Study the FAITH presentation or some other

plan of salvation presentation (Four Spiritual plan of salvation presentation (Four Spiritual Laws, Roman Road, etc.)Laws, Roman Road, etc.)

– Start each day with prayer about sensitivity to Start each day with prayer about sensitivity to opportunities to witnessopportunities to witness

Go and TellGo and TellDec. 26Dec. 26