Men's Ministry
Please read Acts 7:1-8
1. The high priest in verse one is probably Caiaphas, who also presided over the trial of Jesus. Stephen was asked, “Are these things so?” What things?
2. The high priest invited Stephen to present a defense, refuting his accusers. How many times did he refer to his accusers in verses 1 through 8? How many times did he refer to the false witnesses? How many times did he refer to himself?
3. What is Stephen doing in these verses? Was he defending himself? Was he teaching history to the Sanhedrin? Hint: Who is the major character in the Bible? Who is the major character in this section of 8 verses?
4. One of the accusations against Stephen was that he spoke against the Temple, the house of God. Based on the answer to the previous question, what do you thing Stephen was trying to point out to the Sanhedrin? (I'm aware this is a difficult question but I couldn't think of a better way to ask it.)
5 God told Abraham to go out from his homeland and go to where God would show him. Did Abraham obey? If not, what evidence do you have? If yes, when did he obey?
6. God also promised Abraham descendants, but he had nothing to show for this promise. Instead, Abraham’s relationship with God, on the basis of faith, grew. It was not built on the Temple. How did this affect the Sanhedrin, which held the Temple in the highest regard?
3. What is Stephen doing in these verses? Was he defending himself? Was he teaching history to the Sanhedrin? Hint: Who is the major character in the Bible? Who is the major character in this section of 8 verses?
4. One of the accusations against Stephen was that he spoke against the Temple, the house of God. Based on the answer to the previous question, what do you thing Stephen was trying to point out to the Sanhedrin? (I'm aware this is a difficult question but I couldn't think of a better way to ask it.)
5 God told Abraham to go out from his homeland and go to where God would show him. Did Abraham obey? If not, what evidence do you have? If yes, when did he obey?
6. God also promised Abraham descendants, but he had nothing to show for this promise. Instead, Abraham’s relationship with God, on the basis of faith, grew. It was not built on the Temple. How did this affect the Sanhedrin, which held the Temple in the highest regard?
Please read Acts 7:9-16
7. Who are the patriarchs in verse 9? Why were they envious of Joseph and what did they do?
8. Joseph was a type or picture of Jesus. How so?
9. We’ve seen that God is the main character in verses 1 through 8. What evidence is there that God is still the main character in verses 9 through 16?
8. Joseph was a type or picture of Jesus. How so?
9. We’ve seen that God is the main character in verses 1 through 8. What evidence is there that God is still the main character in verses 9 through 16?
Please read Acts 7:17-22
10. Stephen now moves from Joseph, the savior of the Jews, to Moses, who would become the savior of the Jews through the Exodus. (Of course, the ultimate Savior of the Jews is Jesus.) We saw how Joseph was the forerunner of Jesus. How was Moses the forerunner of Jesus?11. Did Moses need the Temple to be well pleasing to God? Do you think the members of the Sanhedrin are picking up on this theme yet?
Please read Acts 7:23-29
12. When Moses was 40 years old, he came down from his royal throne to see how his brothers were doing. Why did this notion come into his heart? After all, he could have done it anytime prior to this.
13. How is Moses a type of Jesus in verse 23? How is Moses not like a type of Jesus in verse 23?
14. Moses was asked “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?” How is this a picture of the Sanhedrin? Do you think they picked up on the hint?
13. How is Moses a type of Jesus in verse 23? How is Moses not like a type of Jesus in verse 23?
14. Moses was asked “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?” How is this a picture of the Sanhedrin? Do you think they picked up on the hint?
Please read Acts 7:30-34
15. Moses went to look at te burning bush and discovered God was there. Notice that he “trembled and did not dare to look.” Why did Moses have to take off his sandals? How does this relate to the Sanhedrin and the Temple?
Read Acts 7:35-43
16. Moses did many signs and wonders as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and announced that another prophet like him would come. Who is that prophet?
17. In verse 39, Stephen says that “Our fathers refused to obey” Moses and, “in their hearts they turned to Egypt.” What does it mean to turn to Egypt in their hearts?
18. Verse 41 says that the Israelites “were rejoicing in the works of their hands” (the golden calf). Stephen is showing them that they’re just like the ancient Israelites except they have the Temple, not a golden calf. How is the Temple like the golden calf?
19. In verse 42, after Israel decided to reject Moses, Stephen notes that God gave them over to worship the host of heaven.” What does this mean? When we reject Jesus, what does He give us over to? You might want to review Romans 1:24-32.
20. Stephen quotes from Amos 5:25-27, except he changed “beyond Damascus” to “beyond Babylon.” Isn’t it evil to change God’s word? Why would he do that? (Hint: Recall what happened when we studied II Kings when the nation was split between north and south. Second hint: To whom did Amos prophesy, north or south?)
17. In verse 39, Stephen says that “Our fathers refused to obey” Moses and, “in their hearts they turned to Egypt.” What does it mean to turn to Egypt in their hearts?
18. Verse 41 says that the Israelites “were rejoicing in the works of their hands” (the golden calf). Stephen is showing them that they’re just like the ancient Israelites except they have the Temple, not a golden calf. How is the Temple like the golden calf?
19. In verse 42, after Israel decided to reject Moses, Stephen notes that God gave them over to worship the host of heaven.” What does this mean? When we reject Jesus, what does He give us over to? You might want to review Romans 1:24-32.
20. Stephen quotes from Amos 5:25-27, except he changed “beyond Damascus” to “beyond Babylon.” Isn’t it evil to change God’s word? Why would he do that? (Hint: Recall what happened when we studied II Kings when the nation was split between north and south. Second hint: To whom did Amos prophesy, north or south?)