Small Group Guide for "Teaching When It’s Time, Stepping Aside When It’s Not"

  1. Home
  2. Current Sermon Series
  3. Message Detail
  4. Small Group Guide for "Teaching When It’s Time, Stepping Aside When It’s Not"

Teaching When It’s Time, Stepping Aside When It’s Not

Sunday, May 11th 2025

First Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Second Scripture:

Use the Two Passages: Focus on the primary and secondary passages used in this sermon.

Pray for Understanding: Before diving into the text, take a moment to pray for guidance and illumination from the Holy Spirit. Ask for wisdom and insight as you study.

Read the Scriptures: Begin by reading the selected Scriptures thoughtfully and prayerfully. Read the passages more than once to familiarize yourself with the content.

Observation Questions: After reading the text, go through the "Observation Questions" section. These questions will help you notice and record specific details about the text. Look for key words, phrases, repeated ideas, and any observations that stand out to you.

Interpretation Questions: Once you've observed the text, proceed to the "Interpretation Questions" section. These questions will guide you in understanding the meaning and context of the passage. Consider the historical and cultural background, the author's intent, and how the passage fits into the larger narrative of the Bible.

Application Questions: Finally, explore the "Application Questions." These questions will help you apply the lessons and insights from the Scriptures to your own life. Reflect on how the text speaks to your faith, relationships, and daily choices.

Journal Your Insights: Write down your observations, interpretations, and applications in a journal or notebook. This will serve as a valuable record of your spiritual growth and understanding of the Word of God.

Discussion and Sharing: If you are studying in a group, take time to discuss your findings with others. Share your insights, listen to their perspectives, and learn from one another.

Pray for Transformation: As you conclude your study, pray for the transformation of your heart and mind. Ask God to help you live out the truths you've discovered in the Scriptures.

Consistency is Key: Make a habit of using this inductive Bible study method regularly. The more you practice, the more confident and skilled you will become in studying and understanding the Bible.

Remember that the goal of this inductive study method is not just to gain knowledge but to deepen your relationship with God and apply His Word to your life. Approach your study with an open heart, a curious mind, and a desire to grow in your faith.

May your study be richly blessed, and may God's Word transform your life as you engage with it through the inductive method.

View the Sermon this Guide was Created For

Scripture: Acts 8:26–39

Theme: Meeting people where they are on their spiritual journey

1. Welcome & Opening Prayer

Hi everyone, and welcome! Whether this is your first group or your fiftieth, I’m glad you’re here. We’re going to read a story from the Book of Acts in parts and pause to talk about what we notice. You don’t have to be a Bible expert—just be open to listening and sharing.

Prayer: God, thank you for this group. Be with us as we read your Word and talk about what it means for our lives. Help us to hear your Spirit and grow in love for others. Amen.

2. Read Acts 8:26–28

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Discussion:

  • What stands out to you in this part of the story?
  • The eunuch was already seeking God and reading Scripture. How does this challenge the idea that evangelism starts with us?
  • Can you think of a time when God was at work in someone’s life before you even got involved?

3. Read Acts 8:29–31

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.

Discussion:

  • What does Philip’s approach teach us about listening and humility?
  • How might it change our view of sharing faith if we saw it more like “joining someone” on their journey rather than starting something new?
  • The eunuch says, “How can I unless someone guides me?” Have you ever felt this way in your own faith journey?

4. Read Acts 8:32–35

Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus.

Discussion:

  • Philip waits to be invited to speak. Why is this significant?
  • How can we learn to discern when it’s time to listen and when it’s time to speak?
  • Have you ever experienced a moment where someone shared the right word at just the right time? What made it powerful?

5. Read Acts 8:36–39

As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Discussion:

  • What do you notice about the eunuch’s response?
  • Philip disappears from the story—but the eunuch goes on rejoicing. What does this tell us about the results of faithful presence?
  • How can we better support people in their faith without trying to control their path?

6. Practical Takeaways

Let’s think about how to live this out this week. Pick one or two that speak to you, and share if you'd like.

  • Practice being present in a conversation this week—focus on listening, not solving.
  • Reflect on your own journey: When was God at work before you even realized it?
  • Pray for someone in your life who’s spiritually curious. Ask for opportunities to walk beside them, not pressure them.
  • As a group, can we think of ways to make space at our church for people to explore faith without pressure?

7. Closing Prayer

Prayer: God, thank you for this story and for showing us how to love and listen. Teach us to trust your Spirit, to meet people where they are, and to be faithful guides—not fixers. Help us shine your light with grace and patience. Amen.

Top