The Commands of Christ #2 Be Baptized Matthew 28:19

Remember:

Do Stick to the bible stories.

Do only talk 30%, trainers, and let your group talk 70%.
Do let the Holy Spirit work, rather than looking for right answers
Dont talk about politics.
Dont talk about religion, either good or bad.
Dont chase rabbits (subjects which are appealing, but off the topic)
Dont dominate the conversation; let everyone participate

First Third of the Disciple Cycle (20-30 minutes): Trainer tells his/her story, then ask one or more of them to
tell their story if they are comfortable doing so.
Second Third of the Disciple Cycle (20-30 minutes): Ask two willing volunteers to read the story below in two
different translations, (ask two different people, or you read it once, and one other person reads it once)
then Pray a SHORT PRAYER, (or ask someone to pray) for The Holy Spirit to teach us. Trainer then retells the
story, to model for them to retell later.
*Tell the Story: Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:26-39
(ESV Bible) Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and go toward the south to the road that
goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an
Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her
treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was
reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, Go over and join this chariot. 30 So Philip ran to
him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, Do you understand what you are reading? 31 And
he said, How can I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now
the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a
lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth. 34 And the eunuch said to Philip,
About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? 35 Then Philip
opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they
were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, See, here is water! What prevents
me from being baptized? 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the
water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of
the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
(The Message Bible) Acts: [8.26-28+ Later Gods angel spoke to Philip: At noon today I want you to walk over
to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza. He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian
eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to
Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was
riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. [8.29-30+ The Spirit told Philip, Climb into the chariot.
Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, Do you understand what youre

reading? *8.31-33+ He answered, How can I without some help? and invited Philip into the chariot with him.
The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was
silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin
since hes been taken from the earth? *8.34-35+ The eunuch said, Tell me, who is the prophet talking about:
himself or some other? Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
[8.36-39] As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, Heres water.
Why cant I be baptized? He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip
baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and
that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didnt mind. He had what hed come for and went on down
the road as happy as he could be.
Sword Bible Study Method: (remember: encourage ALL participation and answers)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What does this story say about God or Jesus?

What does this story say about the Phillip? What does this story say about the Eunuch?
What are the sins to avoid in this story? What are the promises to claim in this story?
What are the examples to follow in this story? What are the commands to obey in this story?
Who do you identify with in this story? Why?

Final Third of the Disciple Cycle (20-30 minutes): Practice

Get in groups of 2-3, and retell the Bible story above to each other in their own words. (or do a skit to
retell the story)
Ask 2-3 willing volunteers to retell the story to everyone.
Trainers, share whom they will tell this story to this week. Do they have a friend they can share this
story with this week?
Share personally (trainers) what you will do this week because of this story. Ask them what they will do
because of this story.
Pray for them to succeed at what they said they would do. (and other needs)
Command #2 Be Baptized

CommandIn Matthew 28:19, Jesus says

*Tell the StoryPhillip and a New Believer from Acts 8:26-39
What is baptism? Romans 6:3-4 - Baptism is a symbol of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. It
means we also have died to our old life and been raised to live a new life with Jesus.
Why should we be baptized? Matthew 3:13-15 - Jesus received baptism, so should we. Receiving
baptism means we identify Jesus as our Lord.
Who should be baptized? Acts 2:38 - Everyone who repents and believes.
How should we be baptized? Matthew 3:16 - Jesus went down into the water.

PrayerLord give me the strength to identify my life with you through the symbol of baptism.
AssignmentGo down into the water and receive baptism.