Subject:
Stephen Imitated
Core Scriptures:
Acts 8:1-4
Memory Verse:
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Discussion Questions:
1. What happened to the early church after Stephen was killed? How were the early Christians living out their faith? How were they willing to die for their faith? How was this an imitation of Stephen?
2. What happened to Christianity because of the faith of these early Christians? How did their faith affect the path of the early church?
3. Are you likely to die for your faith? What are you likely to have to die to because of your faith?
4. What will it look like for you to determine to live before you die? How does this make your faith more authentic?
5. What will happen as people around you witness you living out your faith authentically? How will this change your community? How will this change the people around you?
Bottom Line:
- There are very few things we would die for, but Stephen, Paul, and many others decided that their faith in Jesus was one. Because these Christians determined to live before they died, the gospel message became strong and powerful, igniting lives as it moved from person to person.
- The persecution around the early church made Authentic Faith a matter of life or death. In our day, persecution takes more subtle forms. Though we are unlikely to be killed, we may have to die to things like popularity or status or even success to live for our faith.
- When faith is merely a convenience, we will shrink away from Jesus when the going gets tough. But it does not have to be that way.
- With God’s help you can determine to live before you die. And the great news is that you will not be alone when you do this.
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