Lilac Ministries
Bible Study Lessons
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Scripture: Act 8:25-40
Topic:
Willing Hearts
Have you ever had someone pop into your life, have a significant impact upon you, then pop out again? Our Bible Study this week followed the story of an Ethiopian who was trying to understand writings in the Book of Isaiah when the apostle Philip did just that!
To start out our discussion, we shared some things about people who were present only briefly in our lives or who were influential early in our spiritual walks. One fellow was a “Jesus freak” hitchhiker. Another was the son of a rabbi. Another was a female pastor. And still others were a pair of spinster aunts.
The story of the Ethiopian starts with him sitting in a chariot, pondering the scripture. The Holy Spirit directs Philip to find this man. Philip runs to do so. “Runs.” That’s the sign of a very willing heart. When Philip does reach the Ethiopian eunuch, he clarifies for him a passage we know as Isaiah 53 and then preaches Christ to him. The Ethiopian is so excited that he insists on being baptized immediately! That’s another sign of a very willing heart.
Not all of our spiritual life stories transpire so quickly. Some take a lot of thought and time. The important part of this lesson is that we keep our hearts “willing” to move as the Spirit leads us, whether slow or fast.
We discovered an interesting facet about the Ethiopian. Just a few chapters after Isaiah 53 is Isaiah 56, where many wonderful blessings are promised to “the eunuchs” who trust in the Lord. Imagine how the Ethiopian must have delighted to read that passage, just a little bit later. So also, our Abba has more promises and blessings waiting for those of us who act in His behalf with willing hearts.