Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts Ch 6-7 on 10/21

My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.

It's Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.

If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com

Chapter 6 - V8-15

Where does this take place?

The room where the Sanhedrin met. Probably the same place they held Jesus' trial before His crucifixion.

What's significant about the description of Stephen in v15?
It's his face. He looked like an angel.
Today, angel faces are cherubic in the majority of pictures. Most sightings of angels in the Bible begin with the words, "Fear not!" The fact that Luke uses the word angel must be significant since the ruling sect of the Sanhedrin, the Sadducees, did not believe in angels.

Chapter 7 – Vv 1-53

The passage begins with a question you would expect. The next 52 verses are Stephen's response to the Chief Priest's question. Read the whole speech. Think about the organization of the defense and the examples used by Stephen.

V2-8: How does Stephen begin his speech?
He calls those who've arrested him "Brothers and Fathers."

Who is the first famous Hebrew to be described?
Abraham.

Why?
Everyone loved Abraham. He was one of the Jewish big three (Abraham, Moses, David)
Abraham obeyed God.
This is part of his refuting the claim of blasphemy against Abraham and God.

V9-19: In this "second section" of the speech, Stephen turns from Abraham to his descendants. Who is the key player here?

Joseph.

Why?

He was rejected by his brothers.
He had been a prisoner/slave freed from prison -- much like members of the Synagogue of Freedmen.
He obeyed God.
His faith in God helped him get "in" with Pharoah.

V20-43: Moses is the subject of "part three" of this speech. What highlights of Moses life are included?

Pulled from the Nile.

Raised as an Egyptian royal.

What lowlights?

Kills an Egyptian.

Leaves Egypt when he is afraid of being exposed by Jews for the murder.

We got this far this week. 

Look particularly at vv37-38. Why include those particular words? 

Do you think the audience changed its tone when it heard this? 

Why or why not?

V44-50: Stephen kind of picks up speed here. He condenses all the rest of Jewish history into this section. Why does he select the people, places, events, and Scripture he does?

V51-53: Since when in the speech has the Sanhedrin has been becoming less excited about Stephen's "defense?”

He really socks it to them here. What charges does he bring against them?

How is this speech different from one of Peter's sermons?

V54-60

The reaction to Stephen's concluding remarks is severe. Why "gnash teeth"?

Why didn't they stone Peter?

How does Stephen respond?

What is the final reaction in the Sanhedrin's meeting place?

Which group would be "leading the charge" at this time? 

Why?

Who do we meet in v58?

Stephen's final words sound a lot like Who?

When?

Why do you think that Luke, a doctor, used the term “he fell asleep”?

Friday, This week Expressions of Faith is Hearing

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