warm-up

What is one thing you like talking about? Why?

Do you like meeting new people? Why or why not?

How would you describe your leadership style?

word

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:35

(Read also Acts 8:26–40.)

When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, He also gave them a new mission—to fish for people (Matthew 4:19). This mission seems complicated, even for those who follow Jesus today. But fishing for people can be as easy as preaching the gospel to others, one person at a time. One of the methods that we can use to effectively preach the gospel is the SALT method—Start a conversation, Ask questions, Listen, and Tell the Story. (This acronym was coined by Dr. Rice Broocks.) Today, let us look at the encounter of Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch to see SALT in action.

1
Start a conversation.

²⁶Now 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. ²⁷And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch . . . ²⁹And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” Acts 8:26,27,29

At the command of the angel of the Lord, Philip went to the desert. Though it seemed like an odd place to go, Philip obeyed. There he met a eunuch, a high-ranking court official, and the Spirit told him to join this man’s chariot, and he obeyed again (Acts 8:27–29). In the same way, we preach the gospel by obeying the Holy Spirit and starting a conversation with unbelievers. Philip’s conversation starter was joining a eunuch on a chariot. When was the last time you started a conversation with someone with the intent of preaching the gospel to them? How did it go?

2
Ask questions.

So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Acts 8:30

Upon striking up a conversation with the eunuch, Philip did not immediately bombard or overwhelm him with the gospel. Instead, Philip asked him about what he was reading. In order to preach the gospel to someone, we have to ask them questions to know where they are or what they are going through. The question can be simple and doesn’t require Bible knowledge. What sort of questions can you ask when talking to an unbeliever?

3
Listen.

And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:31

We don’t just ask questions; we also listen to their response and understand them. In Philip’s case, Philip knew that the eunuch needed help with the passage in Isaiah. As we preach the gospel, we must listen and respond in compassion. How have you learned to be a better listener?

4
Tell the Story.

³⁴And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:34,35

Preaching the gospel means we tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Philip connected the prophecies in Isaiah to Jesus. This simple gospel presentation led the eunuch to believe in Jesus and even declare his faith in God publicly through water baptism (Acts 8:36–38). Philip’s obedience led the eunuch to know Jesus and have joy (Acts 8:39). How do you present the gospel to others?

application

What obstacles or hindrances do you need to overcome to preach the gospel to those around you? What biblical truths can you hold on to so you can step out in faith to preach? Are you willing to obey, as Philip did?

Who can teach you to become a better listener? Commit to meet with this person this week to learn from him or her.

Who can you preach the gospel to? List three names and commit to start a conversation with at least one of them this week.

prayer

Thank God for the person who preached the gospel to you. Pray for God to bless that person so that he or she can preach the gospel to many more like you.

Ask God for open eyes to see others the way He does. Pray that you would have compassion for the lost.

Pray for opportunities to Start a conversation, Ask questions, Listen, and Tell the Story to others. Pray that God will soften the hearts of the people you preach the gospel to so they will respond and follow Him.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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