11StephenActs 6:1–8:4

God’s church in Jerusalem grew larger asmore and more people came to faith in theSavior. Soon the church became so large that thedisciples could not keep up with all the workthat needed to be done.

The believers then chose seven men tohelp the disciples. These men were to take careof the many poor people in the church. One ofthe seven was a man named Stephen.

Stephen did more than take care of thepoor. With the help of God, he did manymiracles. He also taught people that Jesus is theSon of God, the Savior.

Some people who hated Jesus did not likewhat Stephen said and did. They tried to stopStephen from preaching. They got some men totell lies about Stephen. When the Jewish leadersheard these lies, they believed them. The leadersarrested Stephen and brought him into thetemple to go on trial before the high priest.

There Stephen’s enemies told more liesabout him. They said, “This man keeps sayingterrible things about the temple and God’s law.We have even heard him say that Jesus will tear

down this holy templeand will change thelaws that Moses gaveto us!”

The high priestasked Stephen, “Arethe things these mensay about you true?”

Stephenanswered, “All ofyou, listen to me.In the past God sentmany prophets tothe people of Israelto tell them about theSavior who wouldcome. These prophets

kept telling the people to believe in this Savior.“But the people of Israel did not listen

to God’s prophets and did not believe theirmessage of the Savior. You are just like them.In fact, you are doing the very same thingright now! Just as the people of Israel killedmany of God’s prophets, you killed God’sSon, Jesus, the promised Savior, when Godsent him to you.”

When the Jewish leaders heard thesewords, they were very angry with Stephen. Justthen, God let Stephen look up into heaven.“Look!” Stephen said. “I can see into heaven.There is Jesus, standing right next to God!”

Stephen’s enemies became so angry thatthey shouted and covered their ears with theirhands. Then they grabbed him and dragged himout of the city.

There they picked up large stones andbegan to throw them at Stephen as hard asthey could. As stone after stone hit Stephen,he prayed, “Lord Jesus, take my soul to heavenwith you.” Then, as the stones knocked him tothe ground, Stephen cried out, “Lord, forgive

GRADES 1-2 | SS | YEAR 3 | SPRING | LESSON 11

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these men for this sin.” After he said this prayerfor his enemies, Stephen died.

Some friends of Stephen took his body andburied it. They were very sad that he was dead.

But a man named Saul had watchedthe enemies kill Stephen and was glad he

was dead. Saul did not believe in Jesus andbegan to arrest those who did. Because ofthis, many of the believers left Jerusalem andwent to other towns to tell people aboutJesus. God blessed their work, and the churchcontinued to grow.

The world todaytells us, “Don’t getinvolved.” It’s a goodthing that Stephendidn’t think that way!

The Holy Spirit gave Stephen and the otherbelievers courage to keep telling others aboutJesus, even when it was very difficult. We trustthe Holy Spirit will give us the same courageto speak boldly about our Savior.

1. Have you ever been on the phone with afriend or relative who doesn’t know about Jesus?It might be hard to start up a conversation aboutthe Savior. Before you talk to that person again,think of a beginning sentence, such as “Let metell you something neat I learned in Sundayschool.” Pray to the Holy Spirit for courageand the right words to speak.

2. The words of Matthew 28:20b reassure youthat you are never alone when you tell othersabout Jesus. Look up and read that passage, writethe words on a note card, and put it on a mirrorin your home. Whenever you see the passage,remember that God is always with you.

Dear Spirit, fill my heart with loveFor Jesus, my dear Lord above.When I’m afraid, please make me braveTo tell the world that Jesus saves. Amen.

* Matthew 28:20b

1 Peter 5:8b

Hymn 200:1A mighty fortress is our God,A trusty shield and weapon;He helps us free from ev’ry needThat has us now o’ertaken.The old evil foeNow means deadly woe;Deep guile and great mightAre his dread arms in fight;On earth is not his equal.