July 17, 2022

Message Title: Putting Down Roots

Series: Week 2

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Bottom Line: Listen > Go > See > Respond

Watch Online

Other Scripture References:

• Acts 8:4-26

Group Check in:

1. How is it with your soul?

2. Prayer Request? Praises?

Ice Breaker:

• Do you camp or glamp?

• Would you go into the wilderness willingly?

• What reading material do you find difficult to understand?

Overview:

• The Ethiopian man was an eunuch, a wealthy man in charge of all the treasure of the Queen of Ethiopia, Candance. He traveled to worship in Jerusalem. While on his journey, he was reading the scroll of Isaiah. This is when Philip enters the story. God sent Philip to share the Good News of Jesus with him.

• Philip is one of Jesus' disciples. Philip was called out of Samaria by God and told to take the wilderness road to Gaza. Philip didn't hesitate or question why. He just goes.

• Philip provides us with the perfect model of discipleship. LISTEN > GO > SEE > RESPOND

• In verse 29, the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” Philip obeys God and goes once again. He runs to the chariot. He knows the urgency of God’s command. Philip sees the man reading the scroll of Isaiah and he asked the man if he understood what he was reading. Phillip helps the Ethiopian man to understand the Book of Isaiah. Through this, the Ethiopian wants to know more. Phillip shares the story of Jesus which leads the Ethiopian to be baptized.

• Just like Philip, we must wait for God before we move and act. We must listen and then respond: observe and see the need in front of us and then fulfill it.

• Go beyond the roots and bear fruit. Philip beared fruit by just listening and responding to God's call. When we do this, we can change the world.

• To be fruitful, means we must listen for God's call and then respond.

• We are called to have the fruit of obedience.

Discussion Questions:

1. Was Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian man an accident? What does this reveal about our encounters with strangers?

2. Many of us will not have such a direct guidance like Philip had with God (verse 26 and 29). How might the Holy Spirit lead you to share Jesus with someone?

3. Have you felt the Spirit leading you to do something in your life? If you have, tell us about it. How would you describe this feeling?

4. How did Philip approach the chariot? Did he show eagerness or was he reluctant to go? Do you have the same eagerness as Philip to follow God no matter what?

5. What is it that God is asking you to do in your life?

6. Are you listening to God's call in your life? (This isn't a one-time thing. It's a consistent thing you must do.) Are you setting aside time to listen to God's call?

7. Do you often question why? If so, ask God to help you to trust Him and to follow Him.

8. What does a fruitful life in Christ look like?

9. What does it mean to bear the fruit of obedience? What does it mean to be obedient to God?

10. What is the fruit that God is expecting of you to have?