​Read all or parts of Acts 8:26-40 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

STORY:

    After Jesus went back to heaven, Philip (one of Jesus' disciples) joined the other disciples and was sent out to share the good news. One day, God sent Philip to a desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Philip obeyed and the Holy Spirit led him to the Ethiopian’s chariot. Philip heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah.

    The Ethiopian official asked Philip who Isaiah was writing about in the Scripture he was reading. Philip told the man that it was about Jesus, and he shared the good news. The verses in Isaiah were written long before Jesus came to earth, but they were about Jesus coming to die on the cross for our sin. Jesus became human to obey His Father’s plan and rescue sinners.

    After Philip shared the gospel and helped the Ethiopian man understand God’s Word, the Ethiopian man wanted to follow Jesus and be baptized. Philip was faithful to make a disciple, baptize him, and teach him God’s Word. Today, we are also called to go and share the gospel. As we go, God will lead us to people who need to hear the good news so they can believe in Jesus and be saved from their sins.

DISCUSSION QUESTION #1:  How can we follow God and listen to the Holy Spirit like Philip?

ANSWER:  Explain that we follow God by reading the Bible and coming to church to learn more about God’s Word. Discuss how the Holy Spirit lives within believers when they trust in Jesus to help them know God’s Word and obey it. Remind kids that when we pray, we can also follow God and His Spirit as He speaks to us. 

DISCUSSION QUESTION #2:  Who can you go to when you need help understanding God’s Word? 

ANSWER: Remind kids that you are available to answer questions they may have or to explain something in the Bible they don’t understand. Discuss how other godly adults can help answer questions as well such as their teachers, Grace Kids leaders, parents, and other church leaders. 

MORNINGS:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us from our sins. Please open my heart to understand Your Word better, like you did with the Ethiopian official. Help us share the good news of Jesus, like Philip did, with those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

EVENINGS:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for growing Your church and allowing it to spread throughout the world. Help me to trust and follow you in every moment of my day. Holy Spirit, please help me to obey You at home, in my school, at church, and in my community so that I can be Your servant to those You place around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.