TODAY:

Acts 8:26-40 | Everyone Everywhere

BIG IDEA:

Jesus calls ALL His followers to share His Good News with ALL people

SCRIPTURES:

Acts 8:26-40, Acts 1:8, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Isaiah 56:3-5, 1 Peter 3:15, Romans 10:9-15

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: Have you ever led someone to salvation in Jesus? Why or why not?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. How does this passage help us understand the Good News of Jesus’ salvation? How could you use this to share the Gospel with someone?

Q: Read Isaiah 56:3-5. How would this have been an encouragement to the Ethiopian Eunuch after going to the temple to worship, only to be limited or even rejected?

Q: Read Romans 10:9-15. How is this REALLY Good News?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: Philip belongs to a Christian community, but also isn’t afraid to “follow Jesus out into the world” to fulfill Acts 1:8. How can we be a church family who values & creates the space necessary to be people who regularly “live on everyday mission”?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: How can we be like Philip & ask the questions necessary to figure out what the needs of the world around us are?

Q: Read 1 Peter 3:15. Who are the “Ethiopian Eunuchs” that we can “come alongside” of to gently & respectfully share the Good News of Jesus with?

ACTION STEPS:

1) Read Acts 8:26-40 & ask: am I Philip (do I know Jesus) or am I the Ethiopian Eunuch (am I searching for Jesus)?

2) Either way, answer Jesus’ call & take next step: share Jesus OR ask how to find Him!

NOTES & QUOTES:

“Follow God’s leading, even if it seems like a demotion. At first you may not understand His plans – and perhaps you never will – but trust that His plan will result in the greatest possible impact.” (Life Application Study Bible)

“If you truly embrace the Gospel and determine to follow after Jesus, you may find yourself going where you never thought you’d go or doing something you never thought you’d do. Obedience to the Gospel often requires us to obey in unexpected ways.” (Acts For You)

“In reality, much of Christian witness inspired by Spirit-led boldness begins with a decision to be obedient to the call to witness. If we take that first step of obedience, the Spirit will guide us and equip us with boldness. We often miss out on opportunities to witness simply because we do not take the first step to turn a conversation into a witnessing situation.” (NIV Application Commentary)

“Sometimes God calls us into His service not because we are able, but because He is...When God sends you, He goes with you.” (Everyday Gospel)

“If we can talk with strangers about the weather, sports, work, our children or pets, we should be able to talk about what we claim is our first love and our most important priority.”