“Seeking Understanding” – a message on discipleship from Acts 8

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our series entitled “The Discipleship Journey: Four Examples of Growing with Jesus.” I preached this second message of the series entitled “Seeking Understanding,” which explored Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch as recorded in Acts 8:26-39.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?’” (Acts 8:30-31)

The Journey of Discipleship

Discipleship takes place somewhere

Discipleship takes place in everyday life

Discipleship is like a journey or a road

Discipleship with the Ethiopian Eunuch: Seeking Understanding

The Ethiopian eunuch’s situation

The Ethiopian eunuch’s hunger to know

The Ethiopian eunuch’s encounter with Jesus

The Ethiopian eunuch’s response to the truth

Discipleship with Philip: Saying “Yes” to God

God speaks to Philip…and Philip says “yes”

God leads Philip to a person…and Philip engages that person

God prompts Philip to listen…and Philip asks questions and listens

God leads Philip to speak…and Philips speaks about Jesus

Making It Real

Seeking understanding

Saying “yes” to God

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Draw, paint, or journal about Acts 16:16-40. As you do that, prayerfully talk with God about your own journey of discipleship. 
• Read about the Philip the deacon and evangelist’s life and ministry in Acts 6:1-7; 8:1-40; and 21:8-9. 
• Compare Luke 24:13-35 with Acts 16:16-40. As you do that, ask Jesus to reveal Himself more fully to you. 
• Consider reading a resource on seeking to understand and know Jesus, such as:
  • J. I. Packer, Knowing God
  • Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth or How to Read the Bible Book by Book