And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.—Acts 6:8–15

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Divine Power (Acts 6:8, 10) 
2. Diverse Persecution (Acts 6:9) 
3. Desperate Plan (Acts 6:11–14)
4. Divine Presence (Acts 6:15) 

• What does “to live is Christ” mean? Is that what you live for today? Practically? With your time, treasure, and talents? 
• How can we begin to orient our lives around this truth (to live is Christ) in a culture where comfort is king? 
• Where does Stephen’s power come from? How is this power an answer to prayer? 
• How does the powerful proclamation of Stephen encourage us in our lives? 
• What does the diverse persecution that comes tell us about this movement of Christianity? Where does the real dividing line fall in humanity? 
• Can anyone out-maneuver God? How does this plan backfire on those who want to stop the gospel? How does this concept build your confidence? 
• What does the shining face of Stephen tell us? How does the presence of God give us confidence to go forward in the power of God? 
• Do you think Jesus is worth dying for? Is he worth risking a raised eyebrow, experiencing a broken relationship, or being seen as a cultural outsider? 
• Should we spend more time trying to be culturally powerful or relying on the already-available power of God to make much of Jesus?