Community Group Leader Guide
Acts Lesson 11
Community Group Leader Guide Philip and the Ethiopian [Acts 8:26-40] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS CG Leaders: With a new semester before us, you might consider taking a few moments to refresh your group on what kind of culture we want to create in community groups. Consider reviewing 7 Principles of a Hospitable Community Group. Intro: Tonight, we’ll explore a remarkable example of evangelism in the book of Acts and consider what implications it might have for us today. Read Acts 8:26-40. What an amazing story! There is a lot for us to learn here as we think about how we can best share our faith with those we care about. Let’s start by looking at the situation. God instructions Philip to come to a specific place, where he meet a man on the road. What do we know about the man Philip meets?
He is an Ethiopian eunuch He’s an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Ethiopian queen. He is either a Jewish convert or a diaspora Jew (he went to Jerusalem to worship). He is spiritually seeking – reading scripture, interested in faith, teachable
Throughout this story, Philip follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit (v. 26, 29). God opens this amazing opportunity then for him to share the good news.
Reflection: Have you ever had a moment like this? Should we expect God to give us opportunities like this today?
The eunuch is reading from Isaiah 53 (helpful to look at context). Verse 35 tells us that, “Philip began with that that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” What are some lessons we can learn from this about sharing the good news?
The power and consistency of God’s word. God’s plan of redemption, from Abraham all the way through Revelation, points to Jesus. The importance of meeting people where they are. Philip started with the question of the eunuch, his area of concern, and went to Jesus.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 11
APPLICATION
In the end, the eunuch comes to believe the good news of Christ and wants to commit follow him by getting baptized. This teaches us an important lesson about making disciples – the goal is ultimately, always to lead people to Jesus.
Let’s do a thought experiment together about sharing the good news of Christ. Let’s think together about what some common questions we may face about spiritual matters and how we can address them in a way that points people to Jesus. o What are common questions you encounter (either expressed or implied) about life, faith, the Bible, or God?
Leave ample time for people to share. Leaders, come prepared with at least one example of your own to start the conversation with if no one else can think of an example.
o Now, how could we help lead people to Jesus in a conversation about that question? o Repeat this with several examples.
Aside from thinking of how to answer questions, what else would you say you need to help share the good news of Christ with those you care about?
PRAYER
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Community Group Leader Guide Philip and the Ethiopian [Acts 8:26-40] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS CG Leaders: With a new semester before us, you might consider taking a few moments to refresh your group on what kind of culture we want to create in community groups. Consider reviewing 7 Principles of a Hospitable Community Group. Intro: Tonight, we’ll explore a remarkable example of evangelism in the book of Acts and consider what implications it might have for us today. Read Acts 8:26-40. What an amazing story! There is a lot for us to learn here as we think about how we can best share our faith with those we care about. Let’s start by looking at the situation. God instructions Philip to come to a specific place, where he meet a man on the road. What do we know about the man Philip meets?
He is an Ethiopian eunuch He’s an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Ethiopian queen. He is either a Jewish convert or a diaspora Jew (he went to Jerusalem to worship). He is spiritually seeking – reading scripture, interested in faith, teachable
Throughout this story, Philip follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit (v. 26, 29). God opens this amazing opportunity then for him to share the good news.
Reflection: Have you ever had a moment like this? Should we expect God to give us opportunities like this today?
The eunuch is reading from Isaiah 53 (helpful to look at context). Verse 35 tells us that, “Philip began with that that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” What are some lessons we can learn from this about sharing the good news?
The power and consistency of God’s word. God’s plan of redemption, from Abraham all the way through Revelation, points to Jesus. The importance of meeting people where they are. Philip started with the question of the eunuch, his area of concern, and went to Jesus.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 11
APPLICATION
In the end, the eunuch comes to believe the good news of Christ and wants to commit follow him by getting baptized. This teaches us an important lesson about making disciples – the goal is ultimately, always to lead people to Jesus.
Let’s do a thought experiment together about sharing the good news of Christ. Let’s think together about what some common questions we may face about spiritual matters and how we can address them in a way that points people to Jesus. o What are common questions you encounter (either expressed or implied) about life, faith, the Bible, or God?
Leave ample time for people to share. Leaders, come prepared with at least one example of your own to start the conversation with if no one else can think of an example.
o Now, how could we help lead people to Jesus in a conversation about that question? o Repeat this with several examples.
Aside from thinking of how to answer questions, what else would you say you need to help share the good news of Christ with those you care about?
PRAYER
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
