Acts 8:30-38
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (p.760)
- Designed to Be Disciples and Make Disciples.
- Ask
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’” Acts 8:30-31a (p.837)
- Train
“The [Ethiopian] asked Philip, ‘Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?’ So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:34-35 (p.837)
- Walk Together
“As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?’ He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:36-38 (p.837)
Series Memory Verse: “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31 (p.786)
My Next Step This Week:
_____ I am choosing to either:
- Be discipled
- Disciple someone
Small Group Questions Part 3
One Thing: Designed to Be Disciples and Makes Disciples.
Key Verse: “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31
Bible References: Acts 8:30-38
CONVERSATION STARTER
// When did you first learn about Jesus? Where did you go to find out more about Jesus and ask questions? Was there someone who helped you out in your journey?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
// Read Acts 8:30-31 (p.837). In this passage, we see that it is important to ask questions and ask for help when we don’t understand what the Bible says.
- Where can you go to seek answers to our questions about God and the Bible?
- Have you ever had a mentor in your life help disciple you? What did that look like for you?
// Read Matthew 28:19-20 (p.760). This passage is referred to as the “Great Commission.” As followers of Jesus, we are all called to share the message of Jesus and point people to Jesus.
- Who is someone in your life that you can disciple?
- What does it mean to obey the commands that Jesus has given us?
// Read Acts 8:32-36 (p.837). We are called to train and be trained.
- Have you ever led someone to Jesus? What did it feel like to lead them to Jesus?
- How can you tell people in your life about Jesus?
// Read 1 Peter 5:7-8 (p.937). Peter describes the enemy as a roaring lion whose objective is to scatter believers because it is easier for people to abandon Jesus when they are alone and isolated.
- Have you ever been there for someone going through a tough time? How did you help them through it?
- Is there someone you know that is under attack right now?
// Read Acts 8:37-38 (p.837). Discipleship is walking together.
- How can you walk alongside someone in need?
NEXT STEP
____ I am choosing to either: – Be discipled – Disciple someone
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Gaza was a 50-mile journey from Jerusalem. There were two main roads that Phillip could have traveled on his way to Gaza. One was much nicer and easier to travel as it went by the coast, the other was much more dangerous and desolate. We believe that Phillip traveled along the more dangerous and desolate road because it was described as a “desert”, and he was surprised to see anyone else on the road. The journey from Jerusalem to Gaza would have taken about 7-10 days on foot to complete.
DIGGING DEEPER
Read John 8:31-33. This passage explains the need to remain faithful to Jesus’ teachings and that the mark of true discipleship is the freedom we all receive in Jesus.
Read Luke 9:23-24. Here Jesus describes that the cost of discipleship is letting go of the comforts we have in this world to take on true restoration and new life in Jesus. That is where our hope and freedom rest.
Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14-17, John 13:34-35, Colossians 1:28-29