Curriculum

Dive Deeper

Unstoppable (Part 14)

Serene Lim

INTRODUCTION

We learn in this part of the series through Acts 8:26-40 about Philip and his life of obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In the midst of this, we also learn valuable lessons on what it means for us as believers, and how we should live each day in these times.

There were 5 observations that were highlighted from the passage: 

  1. God’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ is unstoppable.
  2. We are called to be obedient in our walk with God to move with His unstoppable move to bring His message to the ends of the earth.
  3. God’s heart is for all people; He is an inclusive God.
  4. We need to preach Jesus, as it is only through Jesus that salvation is found.
  5. When we read Scripture, we need to ask God for revelation.

On the final point, let us be thankful for the ‘Philip’s’ in our lives who teach us the Word. And let us be a ‘Philip’ to someone in our world today. 

DISCUSSION

  1. Have you experienced any testimonies of God leading you and working through you in the lives of others? Share some with the group.

    OR

    Who is one of the best teachers you ever had? Describe him/her.  

  2. Read Acts 8:26-40.

    a.
    What sort of response and reaction do you have to this story? What questions does it spark for you? 

    b. How did God guide Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch? How did Philip respond and take the initiative? How is this relevant to how we follow God today?

    c. W
    hat prevents us from responding the way Philip did?  What are the kind of things that get in the way? 

    d. If you are willing to yield and respond to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life, how do you know when and where the Spirit is leading? Discuss this question, but also look at what Jesus says about the work of the Spirit in John 14:15-27 & 16:7-15 to help inform your responses.

  3. Read Isaiah 53:7-8. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading these verses which Philip used to begin telling him “the good news of Jesus”. How would you use this passage to explain the gospel to an unbeliever? 

  4. Read 1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 10:12-13. The heart of God is that each and every single person will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. It is a gospel that is for all people. Some questions below for personal reflection. 

    a. Maybe you do not feel like you have very many opportunities to share the gospel, but would you pray for those opportunities? Do you need to free up some time to give God room to move?

    b. Where has the Lord sent you on assignment today? (It could be a people group, country, company, person, family). Or who is God prompting you to look out for today?

    c. Will you be sensitive to what He wants to do through you?

    d. Are there areas that you need more equipping or training in perhaps sharing the gospel? What are the next steps you will take?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

Philip recognised the voice and leading of God. He was prepared to move no matter where, no matter what it took, to put down ministry that was going well in Samaria out of a comfort zone. He is immediate in his obedience to God. 

There is a reminder in Romans 10:14-15, which says:

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

It is a clear reminder that there is a promise and blessing that goes with those who preach the good news. In turn, that involves believers being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and sending. Sent believers preach, preaching is for the purpose of people to hear, and hearing is for people to believe, and believers call upon the name of the Lord. It all hinges on whether you and I will be obedient to the sending, in every moment of the everyday. Philip understood that in Acts 8. The unstoppable work of God continues through vessels that are yielded. May we never forget that.

MEMORY VERSE

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”  – Acts 8:35 ESV