God’s Word: Introducing people to Jesus through the Scriptures
- mrcraiglee
- Mar 6
- 20 min read
The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men [and women] to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.1 – A. W. Tozer
How has God used the Bible to bring you to an intimate knowledge of Him?
What immediate and long-term effects has reading and studying the Bible had in your life?
Because God loves the world, He has revealed Himself to us. We do not have to wonder what He is like or search blindly for the way of salvation. Throughout history, and especially through His Son, God has made Himself known. The Bible is God’s chosen means of self-revelation, allowing us to know Him, love Him, and find life in Him. As Jesus prayed:
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3)
The Bible is more than a sacred text—it is the living testimony of God's love, revealing His nature and His desire for relationship with us. It is a treasure beyond compare—worth more than gold and sweeter than honey (Psalm 19:10)—because through it, we encounter the voice of God calling us to Himself.
Paul, in his instructions to his friend and co-worker Timothy, says:
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
We read the God-breathed Scriptures because, through them, Jesus and His way of salvation are made known. They make us wise, train us in righteousness, and equip us for every good work. They are completely trustworthy, having come into existence through the inspiration and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Through the reading, teaching, and preaching of the Bible, the Holy Spirit awakens faith and initiates a saving relationship with a world lost in sin and darkness. It is especially in the stories of Jesus, found in the Gospels, that we come to know the love of God and the way of salvation.
For this reason, we, as God’s witnesses and ambassadors, must not only cherish His Word but learn to faithfully and wisely share it—so that others may also come to know the God who has revealed Himself. The Scriptures are not merely for our personal growth—they are the means by which we call others to repentance and faith in Jesus.
Look in the Bible: Acts 8:26-40
Before answering the questions below, review the instructions in Appendix 2: Inductive Bible Study and follow the steps for the Stages of Study. Mark in the passage your key observations, impressions, and questions.
What do we know about the eunuch? What transformation took place in him?
How was God at work in drawing this eunuch to Himself? What does this reveal about His character, His ways, and His desires?
What role did Philip play in the eunuch coming to faith in Jesus? What is significant about his actions throughout the passage?
What lessons and principles about evangelism can you learn from Phillip and this encounter?
The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and asked Philip who the prophet was speaking about. Luke tells us that “Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” What do you think Philip said? If you were Philip, how would you share the gospel with this man?
Summarize the main point of this passage in one or two sentences. What is God’s personal word for you from this text, and how will you respond?
God’s Word: Introducing people to Jesus through the Scriptures
The Power of a Good Story
As I sit to write this chapter, I find myself reflecting on the blockbuster film my wife and I recently watched. Long after the credits rolled, we were still discussing it—not just the plot, but the emotions it stirred and the ideas it provoked. Some stories linger with us, reshaping how we think and feel long after we experience them.
Humans are a storytelling people. Anthropologists tell us that storytelling is one of the universal traits connecting people across all cultures and throughout history. We share personal stories around a campfire or over coffee. We study history, drawn to the lives of those who shaped the world before us. We are captivated by epic films of conflict and resolution, we tell our children tales of princes and dragons, and we sing along to the stories woven into music. Stories are everywhere—and they have a unique power to connect us, shape our worldview, and leave a lasting impact.
It should not surprise us, then, that our Creator is a storyteller. God did not choose to communicate solely through abstract principles or propositional truth—instead, He revealed Himself through story. The Bible is filled with narratives of real people encountering the living God. Jesus Himself was the ultimate storyteller, weaving parables and analogies that drew people in, revealed spiritual truth, and pointed to the One Great Story—God’s glorious salvation and redemption for humanity.
In fact, many of the stories we cherish most deeply reflect or borrow from this grand story of redemption. As followers of Jesus, we have the greatest story ever told—the one true story that leads to life.
Philip found himself sharing this very story in the most unlikely of places, with the most unlikely of people. And he did so using the most powerful tool he had: the Word of God. He didn’t rely on his own words—he pointed to Scripture, allowing God’s truth to speak for itself.
A Bible study in a chariot
Persecution had recently broken out in Jerusalem, scattering Christ’s disciples throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip—one of the seven chosen by the church because of his wisdom and Spirit-filled life—traveled to Samaria, where he proclaimed the Messiah. To the surprise of many, the Samaritans believed and were baptized. A once-hostile people were now embracing the good news of God’s kingdom.
Then, Philip received an unexpected command. An angel of the Lord instructed him to leave this fruitful ministry and travel a little-traveled road between Jerusalem and Gaza. There were no details, no explanation—only the call to go. Without hesitation, Philip obeyed.
At the same time, an Ethiopian official was traveling along that road. This was no coincidence, but a divine appointment. Ethiopia, in the minds of people in the Mediterranean world, represented the very ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8). This man was no ordinary traveler; he was a high-ranking official, the overseer of the royal treasury for the queen of Ethiopia. He was also a seeker of truth—one who had traveled over 2,300 kilometers to worship the God of Israel in Jerusalem. Yet, as a eunuch and a Gentile, he would have been restricted from full participation in temple worship. Now, as he began his long journey home, he read from the prophet Isaiah, seeking to understand what he could not grasp on his own.
God knew the Ethiopian’s searching heart. As Jesus promised, “Seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7). So, He directed Philip to approach the chariot and stay near it. Imagine Philip’s situation. He had no idea what to expect—a powerful foreign official, reading aloud from a Jewish prophet, in the middle of the desert. Yet, once again, he obeyed without hesitation.
Hearing the words of Isaiah 53, Philip asked a simple yet profound question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” This moment opened the door to one of the most remarkable Bible studies in history. As they rode together, the Ethiopian turned to Philip and asked, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about—himself or someone else?”
Philip then explained the best news the Ethiopian had ever heard. The Man described in Isaiah 53 had come into the world, filled with the power of the Spirit. He made the blind see and the lame walk, preaching that the kingdom of God was near. Yet, despite His grace, power, and love, He was despised and rejected, falsely accused, and put to death. But this was no accident. He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). His suffering was God’s plan—that He might bear our sins and bring us peace. Yet, death could not hold Him. Three days later, He rose again. And now, He calls all people—including the Ethiopian—to believe in Him and receive eternal life.
Philip’s approach wasn’t new—he was following the very method Jesus used. After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained how the Scriptures pointed to Him (Luke 24:27). Just as Jesus used the Word to reveal Himself, Philip did the same, showing the Ethiopian that all of Scripture leads to Christ.
Perhaps Philip also pointed the Ethiopian to Isaiah 56, just a few chapters ahead in the scroll he was reading. These words must have resonated deeply:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters... And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord... these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.” (Isaiah 56:4-8)
For a man who had just worshiped in Jerusalem, yet was barred from full access, this was life-changing news. Through Jesus, he was fully welcomed into God’s family.
Though we do not know exactly what Philip said, we know the message was so powerful and compelling that the Ethiopian could not wait to respond. At the first opportunity, he saw water and pleaded: “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Philip baptized him on the spot. He came out of the water a new man—the first Gentile convert recorded in Acts. He went on his way rejoicing, returning home not just as an Ethiopian official, but as a missionary to his people.
In this story, we see again how God actively pursues people for salvation. This Ethiopian official—far from Jerusalem, an outsider in Jewish worship—was not overlooked by the Lord of the universe. Instead, God went to extraordinary lengths to bring him the good news at just the right time. He orchestrated the moment perfectly—guiding Philip to the right place, opening the eunuch’s heart through Scripture, and leading to a life-changing encounter with Christ.
God continues to work today, drawing people to Himself through His obedient servants. As one scholar put it: “Obedience to the Great Commission and to the promptings of the Spirit is the key that unlocks the release of the Spirit into our lives and transforms us into being witnesses with Spirit-led boldness.” As we submit to God’s calling—to be His witnesses in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools—we can be confident that He will use and equip us to bring His good news to those who need to hear it.
A Bible study over pizza
I met Christopher at the medical university in Varna, Bulgaria, where we took some classes together. Every day after class, he took the bus home, and since I lived near the bus station, we often walked together. Our conversations were usually lighthearted, but every once in a while, they turned deeper—discussing life, purpose, and the things that truly matter.
One day, as we continued our conversation at my apartment while he waited for his bus, Christopher noticed a Bible on my desk. "Do you read that?" he asked.
"I do," I said. "I find the Bible really helpful in my life."
Curious, I asked, "Have you ever read it?"
"No," he admitted, "but one day, I’d like to. I’m just a little worried I wouldn’t understand it."
I quickly prayed for wisdom. Then, looking at him, I asked, "What’s stopping you from reading it now? What if we tried reading a story together? We could meet a few times over pizza, read a passage from one of Jesus' biographies, and talk about what it means. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you ever decide it’s not for you, we can stop anytime—no pressure. What do you think?"
To my surprise and joy, Christopher agreed.
The next week, we ordered pizza after class and read the story of the prodigal son. I had prepared a few simple questions to help guide the discussion. The conversation flowed naturally—he had great insights, honest questions, and was genuinely surprised by what Jesus said and did.
Over the next few weeks, we continued meeting. Then came the night we read John 3—Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. After discussing the passage, I asked, "Christopher, what do you think is keeping you from believing and receiving the life Christ offers?"
He thought for a moment and then said, "Nothing."
Right there, over pizza, he prayed with me and began his relationship with Jesus.
Ajith Fernando once said, "There is a humanly unexplainable power in the Word when it is appropriately presented to hungry people." Philip experienced this truth when he met the Ethiopian eunuch on the road to Gaza. I have experienced it countless times as well. God’s Word has the power to change lives.
For this reason, seeker Bible studies are growing in popularity as a tool for evangelism. Non-Christians often appreciate this type of spiritual seeking because it is informal and safe. In a seeker Bible study, they can explore the Scriptures without feeling pressured or manipulated. Instead of being told what to believe, they can look at the Bible themselves—discovering its truth, engaging with its message, and seeing Jesus for who He truly is. For many, being in a setting where they are surrounded by Christians can feel intimidating or overwhelming. In a seeker study, however, they learn alongside others who are also exploring—asking their own questions, wrestling with their own doubts, and finding answers in Jesus’ words. And because the studies are story-driven, they feel natural and engaging, full of deep meaning and moments of surprise.
I love leading these studies because they don’t require us to be experts or to have all the answers. Instead, we let Jesus speak for Himself. His words challenge, invite, and convict. We don’t have to convince anyone—we simply point people to Jesus and let His Word do the work. Jesus says all the hard things we sometimes feel afraid to say—that He is the only way to salvation, that He calls people to a lifelong commitment, that He commands them to leave sin. With a little training and practice, anyone can lead these studies. The process is simple, yet the impact can be life-changing. I have seen time and time again how Jesus comes alive for people when they open the Scriptures. They come expecting to read words on a page—but instead, they are drawn into the living story of redemption. They don’t just learn about Jesus; they meet Him.
As Hebrews 4:12 declares: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Can you think of other reasons why studying the gospel stories of Jesus with a small group of seekers would be a good way to help them come to saving faith?
Memory Verse: Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
What does this verse teach about the relationship between Scripture and faith? How should this truth shape the way you share Christ with others?
How to lead a Seeker Bible study
As mentioned above, leading a seeker Bible study is both rewarding and surprisingly simple. With a little training and practice, you can facilitate these discussions with the people God has placed in your life. There are four key aspects of leading a seeker study: invitation, preparation, leading the discussion, and follow-up. Each of these is essential in serving your friends well and helping them meet Jesus in the Scriptures.
Invitation. Begin by praying and thinking about the people God has placed in your life who might be open to examining the person of Jesus. Consider whether you want to organize a one-on-one discussion or invite a small group of colleagues, classmates, or friends. Group discussions have a unique advantage—participants hear a variety of perspectives, engage in meaningful dialogue, and realize they are not alone in their search for truth.
When inviting someone, it helps to prepare in advance. Writing out a sample invitation and practicing it can make you feel more confident and natural when asking friends. As you invite people, emphasize that all beliefs and perspectives are welcome and that no prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary. Assure them that the study is a safe and open space where questions and doubts are encouraged. Be clear about the logistics—where and when you’ll meet, how long the discussions will last, and how many weeks the study will continue. Ideally, discussions should last about an hour and continue for no more than six weeks, as longer commitments may feel intimidating. While social media can serve as a helpful reminder, personal invitations—whether in person, by phone, or through direct messages—are the most effective.
The first time I led a seeker Bible study, I partnered with my friend Anthony. We had learned about these discussions at an evangelism conference and decided to give it a try. Honestly, we assumed no one would come. Still, we sat down in his dorm room, listed people we could invite, and prayed for each one by name. Then, we practiced how we would invite them.
Here’s an example of what I said to one of my friends: "Brian, you and I have had some interesting conversations about faith and belief in the past. My friend Anthony and I are starting a discussion group where we’ll read short stories from the biographies of Jesus and talk about their relevance for our lives today. I thought of you because I value your perspective, and I’d love to hear what you think. It’s not a Christian group—no one is expected to know much about the Bible. It’s just a casual discussion about spiritual questions that I believe you’ll find interesting. We’ll meet in Anthony’s room every Tuesday at 7 PM for four weeks. There’ll be Bibles and snacks, and if you ever feel like it’s not for you, you can stop anytime—no pressure at all. What do you think? Would you be interested?"
To our surprise and joy, five of the seven people we invited came to our first discussion!
What is important to remember and do as you invite people to a seeker Bible study?
Who are the people in your life you could invite? How might you ask them?
Preparation. Ask God to lead you as you prepare for the discussion and for the friends who will be coming. It is a great idea to ask others to pray for you as well. Begin your preparation by choosing a passage from one of the gospels and spend time studying it using the inductive method. This time of study is one of the most important aspects of your preparation, so do not rush through it or skip over it. Consider how the passage challenges and encourages you personally. Once you have done this, begin preparing discussion questions. Prepare several observation questions to help uncover what the passage says, interpretation questions to discuss its meaning, and application questions to explore its relevance to your lives today. Usually, asking 10–12 questions is best. Clear and concise questions encourage discussion and help people understand the main point of the passage.
As you prepare, keep in mind that there may be concepts or vocabulary that need explanation. For example, what is a Pharisee? What is baptism? Who was Abraham? Anticipating these questions will help make the discussion more accessible. There are many good resources and prepared seeker studies available that can be used as examples (see “Appendix 7: Seeker Bible Studies”). If you use them, be sure you are familiar with the questions and can ask them in your own words.
Our preparation was complete, and now it was time for the study to begin. As people arrived, we greeted them warmly, eager to see how God would work through our discussion. We wanted people to see that the God of the Bible is described as one who seeks after us, longs to be in a relationship with us, and loves us greatly; even those who have made mistakes or have rejected Him in the past are welcomed home by God. We wrote questions we thought would be appropriate. Then we edited them, ensuring that each one was clear and would lead to discussion. On the day of the study, we sent everyone a quick message to remind them of our meeting and to let them know we were looking forward to seeing them. We also prepared by cleaning the meeting space and providing a few snacks—helping to create a comfortable, friendly environment. Finally, we made sure we had enough Bibles for everyone in the group. As people began arriving, we welcomed them warmly, excited to begin the discussion.
In your opinion and experience, what are important things to keep in mind when seeking to make a comfortable, friendly environment for your friends? (Consider physical aspects of the space as well as the attitude and demeanor of the leaders.)
What are passages in the gospels you would be excited to share with others? What resources would help you create an interesting and helpful discussion?
Leading the discussion. When the time for the meeting has come, most of the preparation and work are complete. It is time to enjoy your friends’ company and expect to see God work. There are a few things to keep in mind during the discussion. Begin by welcoming those who came, reviewing the purpose of the group, and giving some general instructions. At the first meeting, share a very brief explanation of the Bible’s organization and the author of the text you will be studying. Help the participants find the particular passage that you will be discussing. After inviting someone to read the passage out loud, ask the questions you have prepared. Don’t worry if there is silence after you ask a question; allow them time to think about it. If a long period of time has gone by, try to reword the question. Remember you advertised this as a discussion, so avoid preaching your thoughts about the passage and answering all the questions yourself. After one person has answered, encourage more discussion by asking others their opinions and what they have to add. During the discussion, improvising or skipping questions may be necessary. It is also helpful to summarize the group’s conclusions occasionally to emphasize an important point. At the end of the study, it is helpful to share a testimony about how the passage affects your life. Doing this helps the participants to feel comfortable and encourages them to share. I typically avoid praying at the first few meetings, but at some point, ask them if they mind if I pray in response to the passage. At the end of each meeting, before they leave, don’t forget to invite them to come back for the next week.
As people came to our first seeker Bible study, I welcomed them and reminded them of the purpose of the group: “I am glad that you came. We want this to be a safe and fun place, where we discuss God and faith, while we study the life and teachings of Jesus. To do this we have three ground rules: 1) respect each other, their beliefs, and opinions, 2) share your thoughts, questions and opinions honestly, and 3) have fun. Abiding by these rules will ensure that everyone will have a great experience. We will look at several stories of Jesus’ life told by Luke, the historian and doctor. He lived during the time of Jesus and did his own research for his biography. Listen to how he begins his account.” I read Luke 1:1-4 before having them open to Luke 15 for our discussion. Anthony did a great job of leading the discussion by following the guidelines. We were both surprised to see how eager our friends were to discuss the passage and the interesting and insightful comments they made. At the end of the discussion Anthony shared his testimony of coming home to God and everyone carefully listened. They left saying they would be back the next week.
From your experience, what are things a leader can do and say during a discussion that will help or hinder a group discussing a passage of the Bible?
Follow-up. When you reach the end of the 4 to 6 weeks of group study, it is a good idea to ask each of the group members what they learned about Jesus and faith. Also, discuss how they want to respond to what they have seen and heard. You might ask if they would like to hear a summary of the Bible’s message and God’s good news. At this point, some people might express interest in continuing to meet, in which case you could prepare another series of studies and encourage them to invite their friends to come. With those who seem to be showing interest, I usually set up a separate one-on-one meeting to talk personally about what they experienced.
I did this with Brian about four weeks into the seeker Bible study. We met for coffee and I asked him what he thought about the meetings we had been having. He expressed that he enjoyed the group and that it felt like a safe place to explore many of his questions. He also told me that Jesus was much different than he had previously thought. For much of his life, Brian had felt like an outsider and unlovable, but in Jesus he saw someone who accepted him. I asked what he thought about the message of the gospel I had presented and if he had any questions, which began a good discussion about what it means to be a Christian. As I was getting ready to leave, Brian shyly asked, “Well, can I?” Not sure what he meant, I said, “Sorry Brian, can you what?” “Can I become a Christian? I don’t want to live another day without God in my life.” That day, I was blessed to pray with Brian as he became a follower of Jesus. The next week at our Bible study, Brian shared the decision he made and the reasons he had chosen to become a Christian. We held a small party for him, reminding him of a verse from our very first study: “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
What important lessons and principles have you learned about leading a seeker Bible study? Why are the reasons you would want to do this with your friends? What fears or concerns do you have about hosting a seeker Bible study? What do you need to be able to lead a study like this?
Summarize the message of this chapter. How will you personally respond to the message?
Responding to the Word
Seeker Bible study
Now that you’ve explored the importance of leading a seeker Bible study, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned. Think through the key aspects—invitation, preparation, leading, and follow-up—and begin planning how you can put them into action.
Either individually or as discipleship partners, start inviting people to a 4- or 6-week study of Jesus in the gospels. Pray for one another as you invite, prepare, and lead the discussions. Ask God to use this experience to bring people into His kingdom. (Examine the resources and sample studies found in “Appendix 7: Seeker Bible Studies” to help you in your preparation.)
Who will you invite to a seeker study?
When will you begin and how many weeks will the study last?
Write out your invitation here:
What Scriptures will you discuss?
After your experience leading a seeker study, share with one another:
What did you learn from this experience? What went well and what would you do differently next time?
How did you see God work in your life and the lives of others?
When will you do this again with other friends, classmates, or family members?
Praying for one another
Pray for one another as you seek to apply what you have been learning from this chapter; pray about your fears, your expectations and hopes, and for the people you will be inviting to your seeker Bible study. Ask God for the things you need Him to do, in and through you, in order to lead your study. Share any other concerns and situations in your life you would like prayer for in the days to come. After sharing with one another, pray for each other. Continue your plan to pray for each other regularly until your next meeting.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have revealed Yourself to us in the Bible so that we might know You and find life in You. Thank You that we have come to know You, and we ask that You would use us to share Your good news with others. Give us faith to boldly invite others to seek You in Your word. As we share Your good news, speak clearly to their hearts so that they might find life in You. We pray this in the name of Jesus and for Your glory. AMEN.
For Further Study:
Want to explore further the themes of the power and beauty of Scripture, study the following passages.
Psalm 1, 19, and 119: The Psalmists praise God, who is revealed to us through the Scriptures and Law.
Luke 24:13-49: Jesus uses the Scriptures to explain His ministry to the disciples.
1 Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 3:1-4:5: Paul’s instructions to use the Scriptures to lead people to salvation.
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Tozer, A. W. The Pursuit of God. (WLC 2009): 11.
Haven, Kendall F. Story Proof: The Science Behind the Startling Power of Story. (Libraries Unlimited 2007): 17.
“This man was also sent into the regions of Ethiopia, to preach what he had himself believed, that there was one God preached by the prophets, but that the Son of this (God) had already made (His) appearance in human nature… and had been led as a sheep to the slaughter; and all the other statements which the prophets made regarding Him.” (Irenaeus. Against Heresies (Beloved Publishing LLC 2014). 242.)
Fernando, Ajith. The NIV Application Commentary: Acts. (Zondervan 2010): 288.
Ibid., 29
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