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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, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

30Then 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?” [37] 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. —Acts 8:26-40

Read Acts 8:26-40.

This method of scripture reflection invites us into God’s presence to listen for His particular word for us, at this particular moment in time.

1. Read through the passage three times, more slowly each time.
   o First reading, listen to the overall passage.
   o Second reading, begin to listen to a specific word or phrase that jumps out to you.
   o Third reading, hone in on that word or phrase that jumps out more than the others.

2. Allow a period of silence to reflect on that single word or short phrase.
   What might God be trying to reveal to me through this passage/phrase/word? How might God be using it to shape me?
   What is the meaning of the word? What comes to mind when you think of it? What is God communicating to you through that word?
   How is God calling you to respond to what you just heard?

Journal your thoughts as you reflect.

Baptized already? – Who would benefit from hearing your baptism story? When will you share that with them?

Not yet baptized? – Pose the same question to yourself that the Ethiopian asked: Why shouldn’t I be baptized?

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