NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Bible Passage: Acts 8:26-40
Discussion Questions:
- What has God taught you through His Word that you need to believe and act upon in faith?
- How might the Holy Spirit be leading your group to minister to people in your community in the name of Jesus and with His Gospel?
- To whom is the Holy Spirit leading you personally to share the Good News of Jesus, the Savior of sinners?
Food for Thought:
Read Acts 8:26-40. Philip’s example in this passage serves as an encouragement and an indictment for us all. God called and Philip listened. God told Philip to go and he went. God told Philip to insert himself in a situation and he did. Philip heard from God and he obeyed without question, and with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help, so can we. But how often do we listen, go and obey? Not as often as we should.
Later in life, when there are more memories behind us than days ahead, the things that will matter to us won’t be the economic, political or academic gains. What will matter is how quickly and faithfully we obeyed God’s call. Wherever you are today, give God your “yes.” And give it to Him now. A yes to God today will take you places you never imagined you would serve. “Yes” does have its uncertainties but never its regrets. On the other side of saying yes to God are the miraculous moments only faithful, obedient people get to enjoy.
And just imagine Philip’s surprise at finding a seemingly random stranger on a desert road reading from a scroll of Isaiah about a prophecy of the coming Messiah. Yet God orchestrated this meeting and its particulars. God has given His Word to this world, and He sends it out to be effective in cutting through to the hearts of sinners. But God often works through His people to accomplish this Gospel work.
Thank God for the preacher and teacher who faithfully explains the Word of God to us. Times without number a weary and confused soul has “stumbled” into a conversation with an alert, informed Christ-follower. By the time that conversation ended, that person left clear on the ways of God. May we be that kind of well-positioned person, the kind who helps others see Jesus clearly through the Scriptures. Yet none of us can be this kind of person and do this important Gospel work apart from the unique power of the Holy Spirit. He is the real teacher who uses others to explain the Scriptures.
The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by Lifeway can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool.
