Acts 8:30

And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

'PHILIP RAN TO HIM'-Eagerness, prompt obedience,. soul was at stake.

'HEARD HIM READING'-'Reading in ancient times was almost invariably aloud. Why this should be so will be apparent to anyone who tries to read. copy of ancient manuscript; the words require to be spelt out, and this is done more easily aloud than in silence.' (Bruce p. 187)

'UNDERSTANDEST THOU WHAT THOU READEST?'-Thus we find Philip running alongside the chariot, close enough to hear the eunuch reading and close enough to shout to him the question.

McGarvey notes, 'Philip's question, Do thou understand what thou readest? strikes us as. rather abrupt if not an impertinent method of introducing himself to the grandee.' (pp. 153-154) But he goes on to point out that it was. perfectly good question. We need to learn. lesson here: (a) We worry too much about the proper approach in teaching people. The best way to get. class with someone is simply to ask. (b) If the eunuch would have been arrogant and offended by the question, that would have shown that he wasn't interested in the truth. Honest up-front questions will tell us if our co-worker, friend, etc..has any desire to know the truth. Honesty and effort is more important that the ideal and tactful one-liner.

Converting people isn't about saying exactly the right thing at the right time, rather it is more about finding. good and honest heart.