STEPHEN’S TRIAL (Israel’s History)
Acts 7:1-60
I. The Calling of Abraham, the Start of a Nation (vs. 1-8)
a. What is Stephen’s instant response to the Sanhedrin’s inquisition?
b. God called Abraham. What was Abraham’s response?
c. God’s covenant relationship with Abraham was extended to the heirs of
Abraham. What was the sign reminder of this covenant?
d. What aspect of Abraham is Stephen presenting in his account that
explains why Abraham believed God without seeing the completion of the
promise himself?
II. The Patriarchs to Moses (vs. 9-54)
a. What elements of the narrative of the patriarchs and Joseph show that the
failures of men do not hinder the sovereign plans of God?
b. What does verse 25 indicate was already in the heart of Moses at the age
of 40?
c. Moses in exile, was met by God at the burning bush and redirected back
to Egypt. What about this was the same, and what was different from what
was in his heart 40 years earlier?
d. Did the people reject Moses or God in the wilderness, and what did they
choose instead?
e. Stephen speaks of the tabernacle and the temple as symbols of God’s
presence with His people, but where does he infer God does dwell? _
f. Stephen summarizes the gospel in verses 51-53. What was the effect on
the Sanhedrin?
III. Stephen the Martyr (vs. 54-60)
a. Verse 54 statement “they were cut to the heart”, in English rendered the same as
Acts 2:37, “they were cut to the heart.” But the Greek renders them very
differently. The Greek word in Acts 2:27 (katanusomia = to pain the mind sharply)
Acts 7:54 (deapreo = to cut through with a saw). The difference is made clear by
the outward action of the crowd. What did they do?
b. What did Stephan see, and is there significance (Hebrews 12:2)?
c. What was Stephen’s last statement, and Who made one similar?
IV. Application: Who and what determines if our ministry has been a success?
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