Warren Fisher, Genesis Class Co-Leader

Acts 8:26-40 (NIV)

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,

    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

    so he did not open his mouth.

33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

    Who can speak of his descendants?

    For his life was taken from the earth.”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Reflection:

This story of Phillip sent to the Ethiopian eunuch speaks to me on several levels. Recently, I have found comfort and confidence in the story’s message that the Gospel is truly for everyone. Another important message, however, is about the need for good Bible teaching. When I read the passage “How can I [understand] unless someone explains it to me?”, I think about the profound impact good Bible teaching, and especially the Disciple Bible Study program, have had in my own life.

In about 1990, when Liz and I were still newlyweds, we signed up for the then-new Disciple Bible Study offered at St. Luke’s. It was a big commitment—34 weeks of daily study and weekly meetings. We were blessed with outstanding leaders and a great group of fellow students. I had grown up in the church, knew the Bible pretty well, and had led Bible studies and taught Sunday School. Nevertheless, the “deep dive” of Disciple, with great teachers—both our in-person leaders and the video presenters—explaining the whole sweep of the Bible and also challenging us to think for ourselves, was a life-changing experience for me. I went on to co-lead several Disciple groups after going through the required training. 

My own faith journey has been a lifelong progression and I am grateful for my parents and all the childhood Sunday School teachers, youth group leaders, and others who blessed me with a wonderful grounding in the faith. Looking back, though, I can point to that first Disciple class as a significant threshold. After crossing it, I did indeed go on my way rejoicing.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for preachers, teachers, and leaders who share their knowledge so that I may better understand your Word. Open my heart and mind to receive wisdom from those who have deeper understanding. At the same time, also give me courage and confidence to share the Good News with all those who hunger and thirst to hear it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.