Men's Ministry
Please read Acts 6:1-7
1. Acts chapter 6 begins with the words, “Now, in these days...” What days? What’s going on? Do a quick review of chapters 4 and 5. What’s happening there?
2. The first sentence also mentions that “the disciples were increasing in number.” Who were these disciples? How would you define a disciple? Are you a disciple? How do you know?
3. Verse one mentions a group called the Hellenists. These are Jews that speak Greek instead of Hebrew and have adopted some elements of Greek culture. The main centers of Hellenistic Judaism were Alexandria in Egypt and Antioch in Syria. The Hebrew Jews thought that the Hellenists were unspiritual because they compromised with Greek culture. The Hellenistic Jews tended to regard the Hebrew Jews a holier-than-thou traditionalists. Now we have some from each group believing in Jesus as their Messiah. Why did this controversy break out? What was behind the controversy that caused it?
4. Do you think the neglect of the Hellenistic widows was intentional? Why or why not?
5. In verse 3, “the twelve” is mentioned. Who is “the twelve?” Why was it important for them to continue preaching the word (verse 2), prayer (verse 4), and the “ministry of the word” (verse 4)?
6. Instead of getting personally involved, the apostles directed the believers to pick seven men to solve the problem. What criteria was used in selecting these seven men? If this were to happen today, what criteria do you think we would use to choose the seven men?
7. The names of the seven men listed in verse 5 are all Greek, not Hebrew. Is this significant? Review verse 1. Was this a wise move? Wouldn’t the other side fear being overlooked?
8. The whole group of believers (more than 5,000 men plus women and children at this point) chose the seven to serve the widows. What happens in verse 6? What does “laid their hands on them mean?” Why didn’t they simply chose the seven men as the apostles directed and then let them go to work?
9. What was the result of picking these seven men to serve?
10. What does it mean that the “word of God continued to increase?” It can’t mean that the New Testament is being written because that doesn’t start for another decade or two.
2. The first sentence also mentions that “the disciples were increasing in number.” Who were these disciples? How would you define a disciple? Are you a disciple? How do you know?
3. Verse one mentions a group called the Hellenists. These are Jews that speak Greek instead of Hebrew and have adopted some elements of Greek culture. The main centers of Hellenistic Judaism were Alexandria in Egypt and Antioch in Syria. The Hebrew Jews thought that the Hellenists were unspiritual because they compromised with Greek culture. The Hellenistic Jews tended to regard the Hebrew Jews a holier-than-thou traditionalists. Now we have some from each group believing in Jesus as their Messiah. Why did this controversy break out? What was behind the controversy that caused it?
4. Do you think the neglect of the Hellenistic widows was intentional? Why or why not?
5. In verse 3, “the twelve” is mentioned. Who is “the twelve?” Why was it important for them to continue preaching the word (verse 2), prayer (verse 4), and the “ministry of the word” (verse 4)?
6. Instead of getting personally involved, the apostles directed the believers to pick seven men to solve the problem. What criteria was used in selecting these seven men? If this were to happen today, what criteria do you think we would use to choose the seven men?
7. The names of the seven men listed in verse 5 are all Greek, not Hebrew. Is this significant? Review verse 1. Was this a wise move? Wouldn’t the other side fear being overlooked?
8. The whole group of believers (more than 5,000 men plus women and children at this point) chose the seven to serve the widows. What happens in verse 6? What does “laid their hands on them mean?” Why didn’t they simply chose the seven men as the apostles directed and then let them go to work?
9. What was the result of picking these seven men to serve?
10. What does it mean that the “word of God continued to increase?” It can’t mean that the New Testament is being written because that doesn’t start for another decade or two.
Please read Acts 6:8-15
11. We were introduced to Stephen as the first of the seven men chosen to serve the Hellenistic widows. In verse 8, we’re told that he was “full of grace and power” and that he “was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” The apostles were doing miracles in chapter 5, but Stephen is not an apostle. Why is he doing miracles?
12. When comparing the manuscripts from which we translate the Bible into English, there is a question about whether Luke’s original text said that Stephen was “full of faith and power” or “full of grace and power.” Is this important? Does this make you wonder if the Bible can be trusted?
13. Why did this dispute arise between Stephen and the people of the Freedmen Synagogue (or the Libertine Synagogue in some translations)?
14. The apostles had the support of the people. In chapter 4, the Sanhedrin could not punish the apostles (or kill them in chapter 5) because the people held them in high regard and the Sanhedrin was afraid of the people. This favor undoubtedly extended to all the believers in Jesus, including Stephen. Why, then, did they concoct this secret plot to discredit Stephen by charging him with blasphemy?
15. The Freedmen had to turn popular opinion against Stephen before they could deal with his ability to refute their beliefs. Should we allow popular opinion shape the vision or focus of the church today? Why or why not?
16. What were the charges of the Freedmen? See verses 11 and 13-14.
17. The false accusations brought against Stephen caused him to be brought before the council. Before Stephen spoke a single word, what did the members of the council see? What do you think it looked like?
18. What was required for Stephen’s face to be like the face of an angel? Is it possible for your face to be like the face of an angel?
12. When comparing the manuscripts from which we translate the Bible into English, there is a question about whether Luke’s original text said that Stephen was “full of faith and power” or “full of grace and power.” Is this important? Does this make you wonder if the Bible can be trusted?
13. Why did this dispute arise between Stephen and the people of the Freedmen Synagogue (or the Libertine Synagogue in some translations)?
14. The apostles had the support of the people. In chapter 4, the Sanhedrin could not punish the apostles (or kill them in chapter 5) because the people held them in high regard and the Sanhedrin was afraid of the people. This favor undoubtedly extended to all the believers in Jesus, including Stephen. Why, then, did they concoct this secret plot to discredit Stephen by charging him with blasphemy?
15. The Freedmen had to turn popular opinion against Stephen before they could deal with his ability to refute their beliefs. Should we allow popular opinion shape the vision or focus of the church today? Why or why not?
16. What were the charges of the Freedmen? See verses 11 and 13-14.
17. The false accusations brought against Stephen caused him to be brought before the council. Before Stephen spoke a single word, what did the members of the council see? What do you think it looked like?
18. What was required for Stephen’s face to be like the face of an angel? Is it possible for your face to be like the face of an angel?