Beauty in a Hostile World - Week 12 - Study Guide

 BEAUTY IN A HOSTILE WORLD

ACTS 6:8-7:60

Pastor's Letter

Sermons Archive

BEAUTY IN A HOSTILE WORLD

ACTS 6:8-7:60

1. The eventual martyrdom of Stephen is the inevitable consequence of a conflict that arose because Jesus commanded that Christians be his witnesses (Mt. 28:18–20; Lk. 24:46–49; Acts 1:8) and the government authorities commanded them not to be his witnesses (Acts 4:18–20). Read the exchange in Acts 5:27–29. What would you have done? How does that apply to us today?

2. Read the descriptions of Stephen in Acts 6:5, 8, 15; 7:54–56. In your own words, what was he like? What would you like to emulate that you see in him?
   

3. The first charge the authorities brought against Stephen was that he said the temple was unnecessary (6:12–14). Stephen's answer was that God was present and at work before there ever was a temple. (See highlights of this in 7:2–3, 30–34, 48). Does this point have any relevance to us and to our worship today?

4. The second charge was that Stephen said that the law (centered in the 10 Commandments) was unnecessary (6:12a, 13b). To this charge, Stephen answered that the law is necessary but that no one can keep it in his own power (see 7:39–42a, 51–53). How would you have responded to this had you been there listening to Stephen?

5. Read about the martyrdom in 7:54–60. What are the first thoughts you have when you read this account? How does it affect your own desire to be a witness to Jesus in this world?

6. What do you think is the most important lesson you hope to apply to your life from this passage?

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