Grow Guide | May 17, 2026
Text Study for Sunday, May 17th, 2026
Series Theme: Continue to Believe
Reading: Acts 8:26-31, 35-39
CONNECTING QUESTIONS
Tell about an important and memorable conversation in your life.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God of life, we celebrate the good news that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Make us confident in the truth of Christ’s resurrection and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
CONTEXT
Our sermon series will examine how the disciples and early believers CONTINUE TO BELIEVE. What did it mean for them and what can we learn from their experience of being sent into the world? As Christians, we carry the peace of Jesus in our hearts and are compelled to share it. We are to share Jesus with everyone! Through our kindness, to be bold in our knowledge of Jesus' resurrection, whether we've seen it not. We are to honor the many gifts we each have for the good of the kingdom. We are to stand side-by-side with those who are not like us. We are to lean into the holy spirit's guidance and CONTINUE TO BELIEVE!
From Dr Karoline Lewis at EntertheBible.org:
First, the man is an Ethiopian who returns to a position of power (chief finance officer) among his people. One presumes that he will bear witness to his new faith in Christ in his homeland. Second, he returns to Ethiopia with joy, reminding us that becoming part of the community of the baptized and welcoming Jesus as God’s Messiah creates and sustains joy. Third, the passage which the Ethiopian eunuch is reading from Isaiah (53:7-8) and which serves as the basis for Philip’s preaching about Jesus (Acts 8:32-35) is particularly relevant to the eunuch’s physical condition, as it speaks of a “shorn” and “humiliated” servant-figure blessed by God. Fourth, this story fulfills a prophecy from Isaiah 56:1-7. In this passage God promises that, when God’s “salvation will come” and God’s “deliverance [will] be revealed,” foreigners and eunuchs who love God and keep God’s covenant will have a place among God’s people and experience joy. The fulfillment of this prophecy is both an important part of proof that God is acting to save and an example of how the mission will go forward.
LOOK AT THE BOOK
How is it with your spirit this week?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Open to Acts 8. This passage offers some specific locations where Philip goes. Look at a Bible map that may illustrate the route of this journey. What do you notice?
What do think is meant by “wilderness road?” Have you ever been on a wilderness road in your life? What was it like?
Luke 10 informs why Philip is making this journey. Pause here and read Luke 10: 1-9. What strikes you about Jesus’ instructions?
The detailed information about the Ethiopian is powerful. This is a powerful, wealthy, intelligent person. Who embodies some of these qualities in your life?
The Ethiopian also illustrates that God’s powerful message is expanding beyond the Jewish Jerusalem community. Flip back to Acts 1:8 to see how God’s vision of this moment was planned to unfold. What strikes you about Acts 1:8 and Acts 2 (the Pentecost story)?
What do you make of the Ethiopian’s question in verses 36-37?
What questions would you want to ask Phillip?
What questions would you want to ask the Ethiopian?
How does the Ethiopian return home? What does that look like in your life?
In what ways can Easter Lutheran Church become a place for people to practice listening to one another and learning from one another, especially new people?
How is Jesus good news for us this week?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
TAKING IT HOME
Learning together about Jesus is central to being a community in Christ. What is one thing you are hungry to learn more about? Or, what is one part of faith you feel comfortable sharing or teaching someone else? (How to use a hymnal, follow a liturgy during worship, or find a book in the Bible are examples.)
Sending Prayer
Holy God, you reveal your glory in Jesus Christ and make your people one in his name. Transform us through him and shine your light on the whole world, that we would move into the future you have for us with confidence and joy in his holy name. Amen.