Worship Guide: Acts Chapter 8

This week we will look at 2 very different stories about sharing Jesus' story with others. They are both found in the same chapter of the book of Acts. Shortly after the deacon Stephen was killed, the apostles and followers of Jesus were forced to leave Jerusalem because of violence against them. This actually allowed the spread of Jesus' message to new places. First, as Peter and Philip went through Samaria, they encountered Simon the Sorcerer. As they shared their message with him, he responded positively because he simply wanted the power of the Holy Spirit to do the things that the apostles were doing. 

As Philip continues on his journey, the Holy Spirit guides him to a man riding on a chariot. This man, a very important man from Ethiopia (a place in Africa), also heard the message of Jesus but responded very differently from Simon. Once he heard the message, he immediately asked Philip to baptize him in water. He heard the message and took it to heart. 

As disciplemakers, we are called to share the message of Jesus Christ. It does not always make an immediate change in people's hearts. We share and then allow the Holy Spirit to work. Continue to share even if you don't immediately see the results you'd like! 

Watch: 

Sing: 

Conversation Starters: 

Find a time this week to sit and ask these questions with your children. Really listen to what their responses are. If it seems appropriate, continue to go deeper. If not, encourage them to continue to think and ask questions of you as they come up. ]

1) Being ready to share about Jesus like Philip 
Philip was ready to tell others about Jesus.
-If someone asked you what you believe, would you know?
​-When have you felt that still, small voice prompting you to say something or do something? How did you respond?

2) Being ready to receive like the Ethiopian man
With the Holy Spirit's guidance, Philip found a man who was very ready to receive the message of Jesus. He was even reading about him when he met Philip. 
-Are you ready to talk about Jesus? If someone told you the story of Jesus, how would you respond? Have you already taken that step? 
The Ethiopian man responded by immediately asking to be baptized. 
- What do you know about baptism? Have you been baptized? Are you interested?  

Sharing our faith

Here is a great activity that makes sharing your faith easier. Making a bracelet to share with a friend that the Holy Spirit leads you to is a simple way of sharing all the parts of salvation without forgetting or being too nervous to do so. 

Bracelet Bookmark