(Note: For remote participants and BFG leaders, these questions are meant to be used in conjunction with the pastor’s sermon. Attempting to use these questions absent the sermon’s teaching could lead to unbiblical or unhelpful conclusions.)

Screen Notes
I. The accusation—Stephen is trying to change God’s law and place of worship (6:8–15).
II. Stephen’s response—recounting the history of God’s law and place of worship.  
III. Stephen’s response—you are guilty of changing God’s law and place of worship (7:51–53).

For Kids:  For Discussion:
Sermon Recap 

• [Leader: Have the group read through the passage together, taking turns, through the following sections: 6:8–15; 7:1–8, 9–16, 17–22, 23–29, 30–34, 35–43, 44–50, 51–53, 54–60.]  [Leader: Ask for initial thoughts or comments on the passage.]   In Acts 6:11, 13, 14 Stephen was accused, like Jesus, of blaspheming the temple (God) and the law (Moses). How did these two topics shape Stephen’s response in chapter 7?   The accusations against Stephen sounded very religious but were a misreading/misunderstanding/misapplication of God’s word.   What religious-sounding, but false, accusations might someone bring against Christians today?   What can we learn from Stephen’s response to these kinds of people?   Stephen’s response began with Abraham, who was before the law of Moses and before the temple (Acts 7:1–8). As Christians, why is it important for us to understand that God had a plan for his people before the law and before the temple?   [Leader: This may be a difficult question for your group to answer. Help lead them to understand that the grace of Christ is greater than the law of Moses and true worship of God in Christ is not bound to a particular place (like the temple).]  Stephen depicted Moses as a deliverer for the Jews (Acts 7:25, 34, 35–36). How did Stephen depict the Jewish response to Moses (Acts 7:27, 35, 39)?   What was Stephen trying to tell his accusers by these depictions?   What are some ways “religious people” today could be rejecting God’s work in their lives?   What was God’s response to the Jews’ rejection in Moses’ day (Acts 7:42–43)? Why did Stephen reiterate that response to the people of his day, and what does it mean for us in our day?   Stephen brought his review of Jewish history to a scathing point in Acts 7:51–53. What was his point?   How does Stephen’s point affect how Christians should view God’s redemptive history?   [Leader: All of redemptive history is rightly understood through Christ. Those who rejected God’s OT prophets are the same type that would reject Christ. By implication, those who reject Christ now, unless they repent, are the type that would reject God forever.]   Stephen’s opponents, instead of engaging him in further theological debate, were enraged and stoned him to death (Acts 7:54–60). How did Stephen respond and what should we learn from his example?

Going Deeper

• [Leader: Assign the following passages for different group members to read aloud: Acts 7:48–50; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:22; Rev. 21:3.]  Given the verses we just read, what is a good NT understanding of the dwelling place of God?   Why do you think it was important for Stephen to make the point he made in Acts 7:48–50? Why is Stephen’s point important to us?    How do these ideas help us better understand the NT church?   How should Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 affect our view of worship?

Application

What are some key takeaways for you from this narrative about Stephen?   What “religious ideas” might you have been exposed to that could affect a right view of Jesus in your life?   We all bring biases with us when we come to try to understand God. What can you do this week to help move past your biases and ensure you are understanding God and Christ rightly?

Questions are welcome! Post them in the Sermon Discussion group of our WhatsApp chat community.