Text Study for Sunday, May 25, 2025

Series Theme: Called Together And Sent Out

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Reading: Acts 8:26-36

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

What was your first job?

Tell about a time you worked with someone who thought very differently from you. What was it like?

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Everlasting God, the whole universe sings a new song of praise: the rivers clap their hands, the hills ring out for joy. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us voices ready to cry out for justice and proclaim resurrection joy wherever your Spirit leads us. In Jesus’ name we boldly pray. Amen.

CONTEXT

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! As Christians we are “Called Together and Sent Out!” This sermon series explores ways the earliest believers were both brought together throughout diverse settings and sent out into the world to share the good news. We are learning from stories that bridge differences and find common ground in faith. How can Easter learn from these stories to both build community and continue to always look beyond to love and serve?

From Dr Sarah Henrich at EntertheBible.org:

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?
Easter is a season of new life...in Christ. Where have you seen signs of new life this week?
Open to Acts 8:25. This is a transition moment; what is happening? Think of Acts like a travelogue. The story is always moving. What’s unique about where they speak? Why?
Jump to Acts 8:26. Who is Phillip? Google for help!
Philip is living into Jesus’s command from Acts 1:8. How? Turn back to remind yourself of this important verse.
How does Philip get his directions? Who also had angels (in Greek, messengers) appear to the them?
Why was the detail about the road in the text? (“This is a wilderness road.”) Where else has wilderness been important?
Verses 27-28 give us much detail about the person Philip encounters. Try to write down all the details we learn about in this verse. Anything you have questions on?
Curiosity is a gift of the man Philip meets. Why is curiosity important for a follower of Jesus? Count how many questions are in this passage.
What book of the Bible is being read?
What do you notice about the passage from Isaiah in verses 32-33? Compare is with Isaiah 53:7-8. Anything different?
What is Philip’s response in verse 35?
What is the Ethiopian’s response?
Our church model is accompaniment with our global partners. This means, we do not show up with answers, we walk alongside and together with our partners in Guatemala and Tanzania. How does this story support this model?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

Have someone gently lay a hand on you as we pray the prayer below.

God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grow Guide | May 25, 2025