LESSON 14-15 PDF

LESSON-14 STEPHEN Portion: Acts chapters 6&7 Memory Verse: 2 Tim 4:7, 8 Objective Children are persuaded to prepare themselves to suffer and even to sacrifice their lives for Jesus Christ Introduction Do you know how much your parents love you? They have made many sacrifices for you. Are you t...

LESSON-14 STEPHEN Portion: Acts chapters 6&7 Memory Verse: 2 Tim 4:7, 8 Objective Children are persuaded to prepare themselves to suffer and even to sacrifice their lives for Jesus Christ Introduction Do you know how much your parents love you? They have made many sacrifices for you. Are you thankful to them? You must love them and serve them even if you may have to suffer. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for us. So we must be prepared to suffer anything for Him and his gospel. Let us learn about one of the followers of Christ, who suffered death for the gospel. His name was Stephen. Stephen who was of good report, full of Holy Spirit and Wisdom The meaning of the word Stephen is crown (in Greek Stephanos). After Pentecost many people believed in Jesus and became Christians. Then it was found necessary to make certain arrangements to help the poor. Due to lack of time, the apostles were unable to look after the affairs of the widows and such other people. The apostles gave the responsibilities to look into the affairs of the poor in the church to Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus. They were full of faith and were filled with Holy Spirit. They were full of wisdom too. They were leading a faithful life without losing their testimony. These seven men all were Jews from Greece except Nicolaus of Antioch. Apostles prayed and they laid their hands on them and entrusted them the ministry. Preaching the gospel with miracles and signs Along with his ministry of service, God used Stephen to preach the Gospel with great faith and power and he did great wonders and miracles among the people. If we are faithful in small matters wherever we are, God will give us greater responsibilities. Stephen preached the Gospel performing miracles and signs. Certain men who belonged to the Synagogues of the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia and Asia rose up and disputed with Stephen. Though they were very wise they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. So they caught him and brought him to the counsel, and set up false witnesses against him. Sermon which defeated the enemies In the council he spoke very powerfully quoting the Old Testament. When Stephen was speaking his face was shining like the face of an angel. While he was replying to their \'accusation, he explained to them the previous history. of Jews and he were expecting. He added that Jews were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus their Messiah. When they heard those things, they became furious and gnashed their teeth first Christian martyr against him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly to a heaven. If we in our adverse circumstances look unto heaven we can see the Lord, who helps us. Stephen saw the heavens opened and the son of man standing on the right hand of God. Heaven was opened to receive Stephen Then they cried out with a loud voice and closed their ears and ran upon him with one accord. They cast him out of the city, and stoned him. He knew down and prayed for his enemies while sharp stones were falling on him. He committed his soul into the hands of God, and passed away. He died as the first Christian martyr, became eligible for his crown. Saul of the Tarsus was the one who took leader ship for killing of Stephen. But this incident marked the beginning of his conversion. This Saul later became the reputed Apostle Paul of the Christian Church. Have you had to suffer anything for our loving saviour Jesus Christ? Sometimes others may laugh at you for being a believer. Sometimes they hurt you or even kill you. Let us be prepared to suffer anything for our Lord who gave his own life for us. He lives for us and will come again to take us to heaven and to give us glorious crowns.