Acts 8:26 to 8:40 The Holy Spirit guides us to share the good news of Jesus with people searching for truth, welcoming everyone into God's family. Understand how an angel guided Philip to the desert road toward Gaza. Discover how Isaiah 53 points directly to Jesus as the suffering Lamb of God. Learn that the gospel is meant for people of all nations and backgrounds. After revival broke out in Samaria, the Lord redirected Philip to an isolated desert road south of [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem) to reach a single seeking soul. Sent to a Desert Road An angel of the Lord told Philip: 'Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This was a quiet, dusty desert road. Philip did not question why he was leaving a successful revival in the city; he immediately obeyed. Along the road came a royal chariot carrying an important official, the treasurer of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had traveled all the way to Jerusalem to worship. Do You Understand What You Are Reading? The Holy Spirit whispered to Philip: 'Go up and join this chariot.' Philip ran up to it and heard the man reading aloud from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah: 'Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he opens not his mouth.' Philip asked: 'Do you understand what you are reading?' The official answered: 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' and invited Philip into his chariot. Beginning with That Scripture Beginning with that very passage in Isaiah, Philip told him the good news about Jesus! As they traveled along, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian said: 'Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?' They both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit carried Philip away, and the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing, carrying the gospel to Africa! Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:35 What book of the Old Testament was the Ethiopian official reading in his chariot? Genesis The prophet Isaiah Proverbs Psalms The prophet Isaiah He was reading Isaiah 53 about the suffering servant led like a sheep to the slaughter. About whom did Philip explain that the passage was speaking? King David Moses Jesus Elijah Jesus Beginning with that very Scripture, Philip explained the good news about Jesus. What did the Ethiopian do after understanding the gospel and being baptized? He went on his way rejoicing He turned back to Jerusalem in fear He stayed in the desert He stopped reading scrolls He went on his way rejoicing Having received Christ and baptism, the Ethiopian official continued his journey home filled with joy. Look for an opportunity to explain a Bible verse or story to a younger child or friend who has questions about Jesus this week. Holy Spirit, thank you for guiding Philip to share the gospel. Open our eyes to see friends who need encouragement, and give us ready words to explain the good news of Jesus with joy. Amen. Why was Philip willing to leave a busy city to talk to just one person on a lonely road? How does the story of the Ethiopian official show that the gospel is for people of all nations? Show how the Holy Spirit orchestrates personal encounters so seeking individuals can discover Jesus in the Scriptures. Display a rolled scroll or map showing the long distance from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. Ask how someone could find God in the middle of a desert. How was Philip carried away? Explain that the Holy Spirit miraculously transported Philip to his next assignment in Azotus. 5 minutes hook, 15 minutes story, 10 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.