Topic: “STEPHEN -THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR” [Church of God Mission International] CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL18 September 2022
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL
DATE:
SUNDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2022
HYMN:
S,S & S 706 “ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS…”
TOPIC:
“STEPHEN -THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR”
TEXT:
ACTS 6:1-15; 7:1-60
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
ABSOLUTE FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD IS THE ANTIDOTE TO ALL CHALLENGES OF LIFE
INTRODUCTION:
Stephen was one of the disciples of the Lord Jesus. He was very zealous in the preaching of the gospel after the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was one of the seven deacons selected by the brethren to handle the administration of their daily needs, when there was a report that some of the widows among the Grecians were been neglected in the distribution of foodamong the brethren in the early church.
Stephen was a man full of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit. He did great exploit with signs and wonders in the preaching of the gospel in the synagogue of Freedmen, (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia and Asia) who disputed with him. They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke , yet gang up against him, arrested him and handed him to the Elders and the scribes. They accused him of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and the Law, saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the synagogue and change the customs which Moses delivered to them. For this he was stoned to feath, and so became the first Christian martyred for his faith.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this study are to:
- Know the qualities of a deacon and assess the performance of Stephen
- Examine how the life of Stephen should challenge hose who occupy such office in the church
- Know the accusations against Stephen and the essence of his defence before the council and
- Know how Stephen portrayed Christlikeness towards his persecutors
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A
WHAT WERE THE QUALITIES EXPECTED OF THE SEVEN DEACONS ? Acts 6:3
The seven deacons were to be people well respected, trusted and reliable, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom
Although the primary assignment of the deacons were to handled the administration of food and other daily needs among the brethren, yet it is an assignment to a leadership position, in the church of God which is regarded as a call to service under God. This beign so, the called must of necessity possess the quality that will enable him please God that called him. A look at the life and activities of Stephen reveals that he had more important assignment than just the administration of food. We need to realise here that no matter the position to which we are appointed, the endowment of spiritual quality is very much required for us to succeed in our assignment
QUESTION 1B
HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE OF STEPHEN AND OTHER DEACONS? Acts 6:7
The immediate spread of the word of God and the great multiplication of the numbers of disciples in Jerusalem, is an evidence that Stephen and his colleagues were very effective in the assignment. Their spirit of responsibility, and excellent management of the situation that necessitated their appointment, become evident in the quick spread of the word, which was theain directive of Christ before His ascension. Leadership in any capacity in the church requires the endowment of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to enable the leaders please God in their respective assignment
QUESTION 2.
HOW SHOULD THE LIFE OF STEPHEN CHALLENGE THOSE WHO OCCUPY SUCH OFFICES IN OUR CHURCHES TODAY ? 1Cor 4:2; 1Tim 3:8-13; Acts 6:8
In Stephen, we saw a man who understood leadership as stewardship (1Cor 1-2). He truly exhibited the quality of a good steward in his office. He demonstrated a sense of responsibility, accountability and faithfulness. The scripture says “It is required of a steward that he be found faithful”
God is interested in our faithfulness and humble service before Him. Faithfulness is what determines who we are before God. As a good soldier, Stephen died at his duty post (on active service). What a challenge!
QUESTION 3A
WHAT WERE THE ACCUSATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST STEPHEN ? Acts 6:9-15
The elders and the council accused Stephen of speaking blasphemous words against Moses, against God, against the holy place and against the law, by saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy their holy place and change the customs that was delivered to them by Moses. However, this was not true
Also Read: Open Heaven 18 September 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – BENEFITS OF WITNESSING III
QUESTION 3B
WHAT WAS THE ESSENCE OF STEPHEN’S DEFENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE JEWS ?
Stephen understood from their accusations against him, that they were ignorant of whom Jesus Christ is and His purpose/mission on earth. Also, what Moses meant when he told their fathers that the Lord God would raise up unto them a prophet like himself, from among their brethren, and that He is the one they would listen to, in all things whatsoever He says (Acts 3:22)
Stephen then saw this as an opportunity to bring to their knowledge that this same Jesus is the prophet Moses told their fathers to listen to. Unfortunately, they were not ready to listen to Stephen, because pride and unwillingness to acknowledge their ignorance had already taken hold on them
QUESTION 3C
WHAT DID STEPHEN’S DEFENCE BEFORE THE SAHENDRIN REVEAL ABOUT HIM ? 1Pt 3:13-17
Stephen’s defence reveals that, he of a truth, was a man of faith and wisdom, who was ready to stake his life for what he believed in. He was a courageous and fearless fellow. He was a strong believer in the word of God. He also believed in the blessedness of suffering for righteousness sake. A man of unwavering faith. Not easily dissuaded from his conviction, but ready to stand in the place of truth, holding to the faithfulness of his God
QUESTION 4A
HOW DID STEPHEN PORTRAY CHRISTLIKENESS TOWARDS HIS PERSECUTORS ? Lk 23:34; 1Pt 2:22-23; Acts 7:59-60
At his death Stephen demonstrated christlikeness before his persecutors. While on the cross before his death, Christ prayed for His executioners and said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”, after which He cried with a loud voice and said, “Father, into thy hand I commend my Spirit”, and gave up the ghost. In like manner, while Stephen was being stoned to death, he called on God and said “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit” and he knelt down and cried with a loud voice , “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”, after which he also died. Christ was silent throughout the process of His trial and condemnation before His crucifixion. In like manner Stephen neither complained nor rain curses on his persecutors. He was only mindful of where he was going. It was recorded that at a tage during the process of his beign stoned, full of the Holy Spirit he gaze into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus (his master) standing at the right hand of God. What an example for believers to emulate!
QUESTION 4B
EHAT LESSON CAN WE DRAW FROM STEPHEN’S ATTITUDE TO DEATH ? Acts 7:55-60; Phil 2:22-24
There are some obvious lessons that believers should learn from Stephen’s attitude to death:
Death is not an end to life of a believer , rather it is a transition into a greater glorious life in the kingdom of God. Believers should not be afraid of death. It is more profitable for one to focus on where one is going and look beyond death. Death is not a punishment, but a means of obtaining everlasting freedom from the numerous challenges of life on earth. Death offers the believer a quick access into the presence of Jesus Christ in His Father’s Kingdom
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The life of Stephen is a great challenge to all believers, especially those in leadership positions. Stephen did not only focus on Christ, he emulated Christ in his faith and service. It can be inferred that he counted his life of no value, for the excellency of being with Christ in glory. His attitude to death is an example to the believers
MEMORY VERSE
Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.”
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