How can I leadsomeone to Christ? - Islington Booklet No.7

Sep 21, 2026

A devotional guide on leading a sincere seeker to Christ, anchored in the biblical narrative of Acts 8:26-40. The text explains that God works through the Spirit’s guidance, the proclamation of God’s Word, and the witness and influence of the Church. It describes Philip as an exemplary servant—mature, obedient, and brave—and identifies the Ethiopian official as a prepared, searching man. Practical principles address pre-evangelism, avoiding arguments over prior beliefs, and combining Scripture, personal testimony, and Church atmosphere.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

FOREWORD

God's Plan

God's Servant

God's Target

God's Methods

# How can I leadsomeone to Christ? by the Reverend Maurice A.P.Wood D.S.C.,M.A. Islington Booklet No.7 How can I leadsomeone to Christ? by the Reverend Maurice A.P.Wood,D.S.C.,M.A.Principal of Oak Hill College These“Islington Booklets”are so called becausethe first of the series was a Broadcast from St.Mary's Church,Islington,where the writer wasVicar and Rural Dean from 1952 to 1961 ## FOREWORD by the Archbishop of SydneyTHE MoST REVEREND HUGH GOUGH,O.B.E. There is a very great need today for booklets suchas this,explaining in simple language how a mancan become a real Christian and rejoice in a dailyexperience of God.These“Islington Booklets”meet just this need and are written simply andclearly,and will prove a help to many. Over 90,000 copies already sold How can I leadsomeone to Christ? HE was introduced to me during a students'evan-1 gelistic week-end.We shook hands and Idiscovered that he was an Ethiopian student trainingfor the ministry of his own Church.My mind flewback to a memorable personal interview between anEthiopian seeking for God and a Christian who hadbeen brought across his path to help him.But forthe success of that personal interview in leading thetreasurer of the royal household of Ethiopia toChrist,there might never have been a church in thatgreat land of Abyssinia today.We can never tellthe consequences of a personal decision for Christ.We can never assess the importance of personalwork. Will you read Acts 8.26-40,before studying thisbooklet,and then keep your Bible open there so thatyou can study the verses which I shall mention? ## God's Plan God reaches His world through the direct actionof the Spirit of God,through the proclamation ofthe Word of God,and through the witness of theChurch of God.When we study this story,we seein verse 29 that the Holy Spirit had planned thewhole of the interview between Philip and theEthiopian.In verse 30,the Word of God is usedand,in verse 31,the Church of God,in the person of one of its members,takes part in the action ofGod for the salvation o this soul.It is our dutyto try by prayer to bring the seeker under theguidance of the Spirit of God,to unfold the Wordof God to him,and to get him both to read theBible for himself,and to hear it preached.Weshould also bring him under the influence of theChurch,not only by bringing him to the buildingto hear the Word of God expounded,but into theatmosphere_of the Church,both formal andinformal.Through your own personal witness youwill then speak to him as a representative of Christ'sChurch. Often people ask how they can influence friendsof theirs who are indifferent to spiritual things.Seek to bring them under the influence of the Spirit,the Word and the Church.This can be calledpre-evangelism.For a further treatment of personalwork,see chapter XI and XIII of my book,"Like aMighty Army”,8s.6d.,Marshall,Morgan andScott.This booklet is only concerned with someonewho is already sincerely seeking Christ. ## God's Servant Philip shows how personal work should be doneHe was a mature Christian(verse 25).He gave histestimony to the power of Christ in his own life.He proclaimed the Word of God.He reached outtowards the mission field,because he did not onlystay in his own town,but he went to the villages ofthe Samaritans. Secondly,he was an obedient Christian.WhenGod told him to go to the desert,we read(verse 27)"he arose and went". Thirdly,he was a brave Christian,for the Bibletells us(verse 30)that Philip ran to this imposingfigure seated in his chariot amidst all his retinue.Personal work is never easy,but we can seek God'sequipment,we can be obedient to His call,and wecan be bold in the circumstances in which we findourselves. ## God's Target This Ethiopian was a key man.He was a man“of great authority under Candace,queen of theEthiopians,who had the charge of all her treasure”(v.27).He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer inancient Ethiopia.Secondly,he was one who_wasa sincere seeker for

FAQs

What does the author say is God’s plan for reaching people?

God reaches the world through the direct action of the Spirit, through the proclamation of the Word, and through the witness and influence of the Church.

How does the guide describe Philip’s approach to personal work?

Philip is presented as mature, giving testimony to Christ’s power in his own life, proclaiming the Word, obeying God’s instruction, and acting boldly in difficult circumstances.

What principles does the booklet give for talking to a sincere seeker?

The text emphasizes bringing the seeker under the influence of the Spirit, the Word, and the Church, giving Scripture-based higher truth rather than arguing prior convictions, and pairing Scripture with the believer’s personal testimony of Christ and His salvation.

Sep 21, 2026

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