Worth Running For

Thank you again—you will never know how much I appreciate you reading along with us. Today, we’re reading Acts 7–8, which includes one of my favorite storylines: Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

This eunuch was a high-ranking member of the queen’s council. Scripture tells us he was the treasurer of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:27). Historically, the Law excluded eunuchs from worship (Deuteronomy 23:1), but Isaiah prophesied their inclusion: “Let no eunuch complain, ‘I am only a dry tree’” (Isaiah 56:3–5). This man had likely come to Jerusalem to worship in the outer courtyards reserved for Gentile converts.

Philip’s Obedience and Approach

I love the way Philip responds to him. It’s a model I’ve tried to follow in my ministry. Philip was told by an angel to go to the desert road that leads to Gaza (Acts 8:26). When you’re called to serve, you go where God needs you.

On that road, Philip sees the eunuch traveling in a chariot. Philip—likely middle-aged at this point—takes off running. While sprinting alongside the chariot, he hears the man reading from the prophet Isaiah and engages him (Acts 8:30). He doesn’t preach from a distance. He comes alongside.

Ministry Beside, Not Above

I began working in ministry through an AWANA program at a church we left over twenty-five years ago. When we arrived at our current church, one of the first things we did was talk to the pastor about starting AWANA there.

AWANA has two teaching elements: handbook time and council time. Council time is a brief sermon, often with an object lesson. Handbook time is where kids memorize Bible verses—verses that will come back to them when they need them most. This is what we call putting God’s Word in their hearts.

His Word is Jesus—the living Word of God (John 1:1). But it gets into the heart by first getting into the head.

Kids at age five will repeat the verse. Some can read, but most need help. You tell them what it says and help them memorize it. The problem is the words aren’t always familiar. You’re just making them repeat sounds. For the Word to stick, I always slow it down and ask, “Do you know what this means?” They’ll admit they don’t. That opens the door to explanation.

Philip’s Model of Discipleship

This is what I see in Philip. Just as I pull up a chair next to a child, Philip pulls up beside the eunuch. The eunuch wouldn’t understand unless someone explained it—so Philip does (Acts 8:31–35).

When he’s finished, the eunuch asks to be baptized (Acts 8:36). Baptism doesn’t save you. It’s an outward expression of inward faith and obedience to follow the Lord. We see many children reach this point after AWANA or Vacation Bible School.

The concept is the same: come alongside, meet them where they are, and explain the Gospel so they can understand. Once it’s inside them, God opens their hearts for Jesus to take up residence.

I can only imagine the joy the eunuch felt over the next sixty miles on his journey to Caesarea (Acts 8:39–40).

Ministry That Moves Forward

We love seeing kids years later and hearing how God continues to work in their lives. I imagine Philip thought of that eunuch often. In ministry, you don’t always get to see the result. By faith, you go where you’re sent, share the Gospel with whomever God gives you, and then you disappear—just as Philip did, taken by the Spirit to Azotus (Acts 8:40).

You appreciate when someone reaches out and says something you did made a difference. But it was never supposed to be about us. As long as people come to faith in Jesus, our efforts were worth it.

Even if we have to chase down chariots or children.

Tomorrow, we will read Acts 9-10.