Discuss Together
- If you’re around Jeff for any length of time, you’ll quickly notice he is passionate about Alabama football. It shows up in what he wears, talks about, and posts on social media. If someone is around you for any length of time, what are some of the passions (sports teams, hobbies, brands, causes, etc.) they’d see in what you wear, talk about, or post?
- What has been your experience with baptism? How have you seen it done? When you first heard about it, what did you think about it?
- Read Acts 8:26-40. What stands out to you about this passage? Make some observations as a group.
- How does God guide and use Philip? For Philip, how was he prepared and ready to help?
Has there ever been a “Philip” in your life—someone who helped guide you through big faith questions? How did they help you?
- Make some observations about how the man responds to Philip. Does his response surprise you?
- Jeff talked about some common questions around baptism: Is baptism for babies? How wet do you have to get? Who can baptize others? Is baptism necessary for salvation? Why should every Jesus-follower be baptized? Which of these questions have you asked? Did any of Jeff’s answers surprise you? Pick one or two to discuss more as a group.
- Have you ever been baptized? If so, what caused you to take that step? If not, is there anything holding you back?
- Baptism is a key and important way we “go public” with our faith commitment to Jesus. However, going public with our faith doesn’t stop with baptism. How could you “go public” with your faith this week?
Next Steps
Baptism doesn’t have to happen in a church building or be done by a pastor. Some of the most memorable baptisms have happened in our groups. So, if anyone in your group would like to be baptized, find a pool, hot tub, or even a nearby lake, and make it happen! If you’d like help in how to make this happen, contact your group coach or the adult ministry pastor at your campus.