The document discusses Stephen and what it means to be a Christian witness based on his life in the book of Acts. It examines three aspects of Stephen's life: his character as described in Acts 6:8-15, the content of his words to the Sanhedrin in Acts 7:1-53, and the cause of his actions and willingness to become a martyr as described in Acts 7:54-60. The document uses Stephen as an example of what it means to be a faithful Christian witness.
1. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Welcome
2. Acts: Seeing the Spirit at Work April 18th – Lesson 5 April 25st – Lesson 6 May 2nd – Testimony May 9th – Lesson 7 May 16th – Lesson 8 May 23rd – Pete & Cara And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
3. What is a Martyr? 1: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion. 2: a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
4. What is a Martyr? Derived from the Greek word “martus” μάρτυς, which means “witness.” myetymology.com And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
5. Stephen : What it means to be Christian Witness We can learn what it means to be a Christian witness, by examining 3 aspects of Stephen’s life: His Character The Content of his words The Cause of his actions And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
6. Our Passage: Acts 6:8 – 7:60 Acts 6:8 – 15 Acts 7:1-8 Acts 7:9-19 Acts 7:20-29 Acts 7:30-36 Acts 7:37-43 Acts 7:44-53 Acts 7:54-60 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
7. Stephen : What it means to be witness We can learn what it means to be a Christian martyr, by examining 3 aspects of Stephen’s life: His Character – Acts 6:8-15 The Content of his words The Cause of his actions And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
8. The Character of a Christian WitnessActs 6:5-15 Full of faith and the holy spirit (6:5) Full of God’s grace & power (6:8) Did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people (6:8) Wisdom (6:9) Spoke by the Holy Spirit (6:10) His face was like the face of an angel (6:15) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
9. Stephen : What it means to be witness We can learn what it means to be a Christian martyr, by examining 3 aspects of Stephen’s life: His Character The Content of his words – Acts 7:1-51 The Cause of his actions And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
10. The Words of a Christian WitnessActs 7:1-53 What was Stephen’s goal as he spoke to the Sanhedrin? Was he trying to “Get out of jail” Was he trying to conduct a history lesson? Was he trying to show them the true nature of God? And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
11. The Words of a Christian WitnessActs 7:1-53 He was prepared He affirmed what he had in common with his audience that salvation was to come through the Jews They were God’s chosen And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
12. The Words of a Christian WitnessActs 7:1-53 He identified the recurring problem that the Jews had They received the law – but were not obedient to it And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
13. The Words of a Christian WitnessActs 7:1-53 He showed them that their view of God was too limited God dwells not in what man has made, but in what God has made Jesus had taken the place of everything in the temple And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
14. Stephen : What it means to be witness We can learn what it means to be a Christian martyr, by examining 3 aspects of Stephen’s life: His Character The Content of his words The Cause of his actions – Acts 7:54-60 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
15. The Cause of a Christian WitnessActs 7:54-60 What motivated Stephen to be a witness and suffer the consequences? To see the glory of God To be received into heaven To seek God’s forgiveness for his persecutors And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
16. Connecting & Communicating Email Distribution List bcbc-sundayschool.googlegroups.com Class Blog bcbc-sundayschool.blogspot.com And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
17. Grow Team News Spring Event Planning meeting April 22nd Nuthalapaty home Please send your ideas to Kurt growteam@nuthalapaty.net
