Sermon Study · Study Guide
A Guide for Life
July 26, 2026 · Austin Axen
The Big Idea
The Holy Spirit lives inside every follower of Jesus as our guide for life, and he guides us to do good, to know God, and to always go.
Remember Sunday’s message
Sermon reminders
A Guide to Do Good
Told to rise and go, Philip rose and went, and when the Spirit said to join the chariot, he ran. Austin said the Spirit always prepares us to do good in our circle, and he will never lead us to do something contrary to the Bible.
A Guide to Know God
Philip started with a question and with Isaiah 53, and told the official the good news about Jesus. The Spirit uses people and Scripture to help others know God.
A Guide to Always Go
The official saw water and asked to be baptized right away. Austin said the Spirit always leads us to take our next step with Jesus and to help others take theirs.
Wednesday’s conversation
Reflect & discuss
Read Acts 8:26–40 together in the ESV.
Rise and go
All Philip was told was "Rise and go," and the passage says simply that "he rose and went." When you sense God nudging you to do something, do you tend to go right away or wait until you know more, and what usually makes the difference?
Be all there
Austin said, "It's providence that you are where you are." When have you looked back and seen that you were in a certain place to meet a certain person, and where this week do you most need to be "all there"?
Five minutes, one verse
Austin summed up Philip's talk with the official as "Five minutes, one verse, and a little bit of courage." Which of those three is hardest for you to give someone, and what would it take for you to give it this week?
What prevents me?
The official saw water and asked, "What prevents me from being baptized?" What is your next step with Jesus right now, and what is standing in the way of taking it before next Wednesday?
Carry it into the week
Next Steps
From the sermon
- Ask what your next step with Jesus is: to believe in him and tell somebody, to be baptized, or to help someone else take their next step.
- If you have not read the story of Jesus, open the Gospel of Luke this week.
- Become a good question asker: learn other people's stories by asking good, intentional questions.
- Write down John 14:26 and study who the Holy Spirit is and how he works in our lives today.
- Be more attentive to the people in your circle, and be ready when the Spirit prompts you.
Application
Before next Wednesday, pick one place you go every week, and pray for the people there before you walk in.
My notes
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Text Edition: 2025. Used by permission. Permissions. Prepared for this small group from the July 26, 2026 sermon; questions and applications are editorial study material.
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