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#1264. Ready and willing even when scattered (5/5/24)

  • Writer: Matt Beaney
    Matt Beaney
  • May 5
  • 4 min read

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Today we begin our new series, Ready and Willing, where we’ll reflect on the life of Philip.


Today, from the life of Philip, let’s learn how to keep serving God and people even when we face the severest of trials. 


You can watch this devotional below:


‘And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.’ Acts 8:1-8)

1. When trials scatter the church

The story of Philip takes a dramatic turn in Acts 8. After the death of Stephen — a close friend and fellow servant — a fierce persecution breaks out. The believers in Jerusalem are scattered in every direction, their homes raided, and many thrown into prison. It’s one of the darkest moments for the early church.

Philip could have easily gone quiet, kept his head down, and waited for safer times. But instead, we find him ready and willing, even when scattered.


2. Philip’s response: keep serving, keep proclaiming

We see that the choice of Philip as a man of wisdom, faith and the Spirit, is revealed as true in this trial. Trials reveal the truth of our confession and character!  We read:

“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.” (Acts 8:5)

Instead of allowing fear or grief to stop him, Philip stepped into a new, unfamiliar place, carrying the good news with him.Where others might have hidden, Philip preached. Where others despaired, Philip healed.Where others withdrew, Philip brought joy.

He was ready and willing, even in the severest of trials. His faith was not tied to circumstances, location, or safety — it was rooted in Jesus, and it overflowed into bold action.


3. A church on the move

The scattering of believers didn’t crush the church — it spread the message even further:

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” (Acts 8:4)

The enemy intended to silence them, but instead, the gospel multiplied. In the very places they were forced to flee, new believers emerged, healings took place, and communities were transformed.

Philip’s ministry in Samaria was so powerful that “there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8)


Today, Let’s Ask Ourselves:

  • Am I ready and willing to keep serving God and people when life feels uncertain or difficult?

  • Do I let my circumstances dictate my faith, or am I rooted enough in Jesus to be faithful, wherever He places me?

  • What might God be asking me to do today — even in the middle of trial or challenge?


Let’s Pray Together:

“Lord Jesus, help me to be like Philip — ready and willing, even when scattered. When trials come and life feels uncertain, keep me faithful. Help me to proclaim Your name, serve others, and be a source of joy and hope wherever You send me. Amen.”

Community Group Notes


1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 


2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 


3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.


4. Study and pray together


Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.


On Sunday, we continued our series Ready and Willing? looking at the life of Philip in the New Testament. Our passage from Acts 8 opens with persecution, the martyrdom of Stephen, and the scattering of believers—and yet it leads to this powerful line: “there was great joy in that city.” Despite hardship, God worked through Philip to bring hope and transformation.

We were reminded that, by God’s grace, like Philip, we can be ready and willing to give hope and joy—even in difficult times.

Main Point:If we are ready and willing, the troubles of life become opportunities for growth and for the gospel.


Discussion: 

Please read Acts 8:1–25 together, and then discuss:

  1. Why do you think Philip was “ready and willing” to serve God and share the gospel even after such intense persecution?(What might have shaped his character and confidence in God?)

  2. What was Philip’s message, and how did people respond to it?(Consider both the general reaction and individual responses like Simon’s.)

  3. What did the apostles Peter and John bring to the new believers in Samaria?(Why was their visit significant?)

  4. What do we learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in this passage?(Why was it important for the Spirit to come through the apostles?)

  5. What does this event teach us about the importance of working with others who have different gifts or roles?(Think about Philip’s evangelism and the apostles’ follow-up.)


SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

  • Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything from Acts 8:1-25, which teaches and inspires us in our mission and our approach to it? 

  • Share Stories – Have you had any recent experiences of Serving, Investing, or Inviting someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us. 

  • Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Discuss and pray for those you regularly engage with, including any ‘people of peace’ (* See note) in your life—those open to you and the gospel.


Let’s pray together: 

  • Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.



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