Passage: Acts 8:30-31
Then 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?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Insight: The Ethiopian man wanted to learn more about God, so he began reading the Bible. But there was one problem: He did not understand what he was reading. Have you ever opened up the Bible and started reading and it didn’t make any sense to you at all? Don’t feel bad, even the apostle Peter says that some of Paul’s writing can be difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16). Just because it can be difficult though does not mean it is not worth the effort. Some of the best things in life come with perseverance.
Practical Tools that can make it easier to understand God’s Word:
- 1) Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to help give you insight into the Scripture. We can’t do it alone; we need insight from the Holy Spirit! 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, John 14:24-26, 1 John 2:27 are some of the verses that explain the importance of asking the Holy Spirit for help.
- 2) Find a friend who can help you as you read. Philip was able to come alongside the Ethiopian man and teach him about the book of Isaiah. Look for a friend who is solid in their faith and can read with you and discuss the passage together.
- 3) Find a healthy church that teaches the word of God.
- 4) Check out some resources like a study Bible or commentaries that explain passages in greater depth. You can find these at a Christian bookstore and some of these resources are online too. There are some great devotional books, and helps for reading through the Bible in a year.
Application Questions: Think about and answer these questions as you read the Bible. What does the passage teach me about God?
Are there any examples to follow? Anything to avoid?
What is encouraging in the passage? Any promises?
What is the basic message of the passage?
Any verses to memorize?
What difference does this make in my life? How should I apply it?
What does it teach me about myself and relationships?
What parts of the passage are not clear?
Are there any other verses that are similar to this passage?
Who can I share this passage with during the week?
A Challenge: Our faith grows as we spend time in God’s Word. What time are you making for God’s Word in your weekly schedule? We can’t live on bread alone; the Word is our spiritual food. Get some good meals. Dive in to the Scripture and meet God there. Take His truth and apply it to your life.
Deeper: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 1, Romans 10:16-17, Psalm 119, 1 Peter 1:23-25.
Passage: Acts 8:30-31
Then 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?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Insight: The Ethiopian man wanted to learn more about God, so he began reading the Bible. But there was one problem: He did not understand what he was reading. Have you ever opened up the Bible and started reading and it didn’t make any sense to you at all? Don’t feel bad, even the apostle Peter says that some of Paul’s writing can be difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16). Just because it can be difficult though does not mean it is not worth the effort. Some of the best things in life come with perseverance.
Practical Tools that can make it easier to understand God’s Word:
- 1) Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to help give you insight into the Scripture. We can’t do it alone; we need insight from the Holy Spirit! 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, John 14:24-26, 1 John 2:27 are some of the verses that explain the importance of asking the Holy Spirit for help.
- 2) Find a friend who can help you as you read. Philip was able to come alongside the Ethiopian man and teach him about the book of Isaiah. Look for a friend who is solid in their faith and can read with you and discuss the passage together.
- 3) Find a healthy church that teaches the word of God.
- 4) Check out some resources like a study Bible or commentaries that explain passages in greater depth. You can find these at a Christian bookstore and some of these resources are online too. There are some great devotional books, and helps for reading through the Bible in a year.
Application Questions: Think about and answer these questions as you read the Bible. What does the passage teach me about God?
Are there any examples to follow? Anything to avoid?
What is encouraging in the passage? Any promises?
What is the basic message of the passage?
Any verses to memorize?
What difference does this make in my life? How should I apply it?
What does it teach me about myself and relationships?
What parts of the passage are not clear?
Are there any other verses that are similar to this passage?
Who can I share this passage with during the week?
A Challenge: Our faith grows as we spend time in God’s Word. What time are you making for God’s Word in your weekly schedule? We can’t live on bread alone; the Word is our spiritual food. Get some good meals. Dive in to the Scripture and meet God there. Take His truth and apply it to your life.
Deeper: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 1, Romans 10:16-17, Psalm 119, 1 Peter 1:23-25.