The KJV International Commentary Sunday school Lesson, Outline

August 13

Lesson 11 (KJV)

Called to Break Down Barriers

Devotional Reading: Romans 10:9–15

Background Scripture: Acts 8

Acts 8:26–39

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Key Verse

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

—Acts 8:35

God’s Urgent Call

Unit 3: Calls in the New Testament

Lessons 10–13

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Identify the cultural factors that separated Philip from the Ethiopian.

2. Explain why it was important for Luke, the author, to note the cross-cultural issues and context of Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian.

3. Research some questions that those of another culture have about Jesus and make a plan to answer them.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Crossing Cultures

B. Lesson Background

I. Obedience (Acts 8:26–29)

A. Road (vv. 26, 27a)

Whose Plans?

B. Read (vv. 27b, 28)

C. Ride (v. 29)

II. Observation (Acts 8:30–35)

A. Investigation to Invitation (vv. 30–34)

B. Invitation to Interpretation (v. 35)

Life-Giving Communication

III. Outcome (Acts 8:36–39)

A. Belief and Baptism (vv. 36–38)

B. Rejoicing and Relocation (v. 39)

Conclusion

A. Divine Appointments

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Antioch	An-tee-ock.
Caesar	See-zer.
Caesarea	Sess-uh-ree-uh.
Candace	Can-duh-see.
Damascus	Duh-mass-kus.
Esaias	Ee-zay-us.
Ethiopia	Ee-thee-o-pea-uh (th as in thin).
Ethiopians	Ee-thee-o-pea-unz (th as in thin).
eunuch	you-nick.
Gaza	Gay-zuh.
Pharaoh	Fair-o or Fay-roe.
rabbi	rab-eye.
Samaria	Suh-mare-ee-uh.
Samaritans	Suh-mare-uh-tunz.

What Do You Think? What new challenge would cause you to step away from a successful ministry? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering things that seem to be pushing you out of the current area of service ■ Considering things that seem to be pulling you toward the new area of service

What Do You Think? Which of the ways the man is described would be the most helpful to know if you were to share the gospel with him today? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Country of origin (Ethiopia) ■ Physical condition or limitations (eunuch) ■ Status in life (important official) What Do You Think? What are some ways to overcome hesitancies to share the gospel? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Hesitancies tied to cross-cultural issues ■ Hesitancies tied to a generational divide ■ Hesitancies rooted in “beneath me” or “above me” economic distinctions ■ Other What Do You Think? What questions could you ask to open a door for teaching an unbeliever about Christ? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ When the unbeliever has recently lost a loved one ■ When the unbeliever is in financial distress ■ When the unbeliever is in a midlife crisis ■ When the unbeliever is actively seeking spiritual direction What Do You Think? When, if ever, would it be unwise to agree to a request for immediate baptism? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering need to count the cost (Luke 14:25–33) ■ Considering degree of conviction (Acts 2:36–41) ■ Considering ability to understand baptism’s significance (Galatians 3:27, 28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21; etc.) ■ Considering precedents (Acts 10:47, 48; 11:17; 16:31–33) Visual for Lesson 11. Start a discussion by pointing to the caption on this visual as you ask, “When was a time you found this to be true?”