Telling the Story With Joy
Month 4: Is Jesus Really God? · Loving Others
Today's Scripture
Read together: Acts 8:35-39
35 Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” [37] Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 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 carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.
Memory Verse
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”— Isaiah 53:5 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Leviticus 9-12
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 110 of 365 — God teaches His people what is clean and holy, showing He cares about all of life.)The Heart of It
Yesterday we met Philip and the man from Ethiopia. Today we see how the story ends. And it ends with joy! Philip explained that was all about Jesus, and the man believed. He saw some water and said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" (). So they stopped the chariot, and Philip baptized him right there. Then comes one of the happiest lines in the whole Bible. "He went on his way rejoicing" (). One ordinary believer. One good conversation. One new follower of Jesus. And a heart full of joy heading home to a whole continent.
Notice how natural and loving the whole thing was. Philip didn't argue. He didn't pressure. He didn't look down on the man for not understanding. He simply walked alongside him. He answered his question. He pointed to Jesus. That's what loving others looks like in mission. It isn't about winning. It's about welcoming. And look at what the new believer did next. He was baptized. In the Bible, when people put their faith in Jesus, they were baptized to show they belonged to Him. It's a happy "yes" we say after we believe. Sharing Jesus isn't a scary chore for super-Christians. It's one hungry person showing another hungry person where to find bread. And then they celebrate together!
Around the Table
The man learned about Jesus. He believed. He got baptized. And he went home so happy! Telling people about Jesus brings joy.
Let's do it: Make your happiest face and shout "Hooray!" like the man going home rejoicing. Who could you tell about Jesus this week?
Philip didn't argue or pressure. He answered a question and pointed to Jesus. And the man believed and was baptized. Sharing faith is loving, not pushy.
Let's talk: What's a kind, natural way to bring up Jesus with a friend who is curious?
Notice the order. He heard. He believed. Then he was baptized. Baptism follows a real choice to trust Jesus. Mission flows from love. We walk with people. We don't win arguments over them.
Let's go deeper: Who in your life might have honest questions about Jesus? How could you walk alongside them this month?
💬 Conversation Starter
When you learn something amazing, who is the first person you want to tell? Why is good news so hard to keep to yourself?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Sharing your faith doesn't mean having every answer. It means being ready to point people to Jesus with gentleness and respect (). Like Philip, you can simply walk beside a curious friend. You answer what you can. And you let your joy be part of the message.
For Dad · Go Deeper
This little episode quietly models believer's baptism. The eunuch hears the gospel. He believes. And he is baptized as the immediate expression of his faith. There is no coercion, no delay, no infant on the scene. There is just a glad response to grace. Use it to teach your children that baptism is a response to salvation, not the cause of it. It is a joyful public "yes" to Jesus. More broadly, let your kids catch the tone here. This is evangelism that is relational, unhurried, and happy. If your children only ever hear "defending the faith" framed as combat, they'll dread it. Show them the chariot instead. It was a conversation between friends that ended in rejoicing. The most contagious apologetic in your home is your own visible joy in Christ.
Draws on: Sean McDowell, A Rebel's Manifesto.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that knowing Jesus fills us with joy. Help us share Him the way Philip did. Help us be kind and glad, walking alongside people. Give us courage and a smile. In Jesus' name, amen."
Sharing Jesus isn't winning an argument. It's joyfully showing a friend where to find life.