Breaking Ground
Who had the biggest impact on you in terms of shaping which activities you’re most passionate about (be that work, hobbies, volunteering, etc)? Why did they have such a major impact?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued Stephen’s Speech, our series on Christianity’s first martyr. In particular, Pastor Scott offered up his take on Stephen’s speech & explored how it redefined what kinds of people we turn to for inspiration & wisdom when making hard decisions.
With this in mind, begin by reflecting on what it means to be inspired by someone or something else.
What people or stories inspire you the most? Can you identify any common themes or characteristics within the ones you’ve named? For example: underdog stories, work ethic, intellect, bravery, integrity, etc.
What people or stories do you turn to when facing a hard decision? Do these reflect the characteristics that you identified in the previous question?
Next, read Acts 7 one more time. In his sermon, Pastor Scott highlighted that Stephen wasn’t the most qualified person to give a speech like this by our world’s standards. In all likelihood, he was probably uneducated, illiterate, & unlearned. However, despite this, he still becomes the conduit of this message & the hero of this part of the early Church’s story. In that, he becomes one more example of this larger biblical pattern where God chooses to work through the least expected people in the eyes of our world..
How do Stephen’s qualifications (or lack thereof) turn upside-down who we’d expect to give a speech like this?
Why do you think God consistently works through people who don’t possess the characteristics that our world most associated with power, heroism, & leadership? What does this reveal about who or what God upholds as being inspirational?
Take what you’ve discussed so far & apply it to your own life experience.
Does Stephen’s example mirror the people & stories that you originally identified as inspiring? Where do you see overlap & differences between them? How might this impact who or what you view as being inspiring?
Where are you currently facing a hard decision or area of life where you need wisdom? Who are you turning to for guidance (if anyone at all)? How can Stephen’s story offer guidance as you continue to engage with that area of your life?
Coming Out of the Hole
Take time to reflect on the Sunday sermon & how this week’s teaching might speak into your daily life.
- Read Acts 6-7. What stands out about Stephen’s Speech? Identify & write down major themes or patterns that you see.
- What stands out about Stephen? Does he reflect the kind of person that our world would uphold as inspirational or heroic? Why or why not?
- How does Stephen’s example model for us what it means to lay ourselves down for God’s Kingdom? What about his life & character can we turn to for inspiration as we make hard decisions in our own lives?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
The Moral Vision of the New Testament by Richard B. Hays
The Early Christian Letters for Everyone by NT Wright
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, June 23rd: Join us next Sunday as we hear from a panel composed of our Global Outreach partners who will be discussing their various ministries across the world!
* Please see mye3.org for details.