GUIDE FOR STUDY 5
Faithful to the End
Stephen: Faith that leads to courage.
Martyr. The word causes a strong reaction, doesn’t it? Not martyr as in
your perpetually sighing Aunt “That’s-My-Cross-to-Bear” Vickie, but those
flesh and blood martyrs who stand as stark icons against which we measure
our faith. When we read a book or watch a film in which someone has lost
his or her life for the sake of Christ, we are moved to wonder: “Could I
withstand that? Is my faith strong enough? Have I taken the easy route?”
This study will explore the brief yet remarkable account of Stephen, the
first Christian martyr. His life stands as testimony that true faith leads to
godly courage.
Lesson #5
Scripture:
Acts 6:1–8:3; 20:19–21
Based on:
The profile on page 1251 of the Men of Integrity Devotional Bible (Tyndale, 2002)
C HRISTIANITY T ODAY
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
© 2007
LEADER’S GUIDE
Faithful to the End
Page 2
PART 1
A Man’s World
Most have heard the story of Jim Elliot and his fellow missionaries, who
went to the jungles of Ecuador in the 1950s, from reading Through Gates
of Splendor or viewing its various film adaptations. It is the tragic story of
five young men who were brutally killed by the very people to whom they
were bringing the gospel of peace. If you didn’t already know the end of
the story, you would think the final chapter would be anger,
discouragement, resentment, and retreat. But it’s just the beginning of a
story of redemption for the people who killed the missionaries. Young
lives, seemingly extinguished, started a fire.
The short account of Stephen—it takes up just two chapters in the Bible—
is the striking of a match for the newborn church. Religious leaders of the day thought they
would snuff out the cult of Jesus by killing Stephen, but his death was fuel for the fire. Even his
persecutors could not take their eyes off of him. And even today, Stephen stands for us as a
signal flare of faith. He was a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (6:5), who performed
“great wonders and miraculous signs” (6:8), as well as serving behind the scenes. His faith led
him to speak boldly and to make the ultimate sacrifice. Stephen’s courageous faith embodies
Jim Elliot’s immortalized words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he
cannot lose.”
PART 2
A Man’s Word
Teaching point one: Faith gives courage to be Spirit-filled.
Spirit-filled is a shopworn phrase in our Christian lexicon—maybe even quaint these days.
What amount of courage could possibly be required for being spirit-filled? A. W. Tozer, the late
pastor and author, suggested that there is plenty of courage needed:
“Before you can be filled with the Spirit you must desire to be filled … Do you want to
be possessed by Him? ... Are you sure that you want your personality to be taken over
by One who will expect obedience to the written and living Word? ... I ask you if you
desire to have your personality taken over by One who stands in sharp opposition to
the world’s easy ways?”
Stephen reminds us that the filling of the Spirit takes courage.
[Q] What comes to mind when you hear the phrase spirit-filled?

Read Acts 6 and 7.
[Q] How do you imagine Stephen?
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Faithful to the End
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[Q] How did people react to Stephen?
[Q] Was he some kind of “Super Christian”? Explain your answer.
[Q] What actions and attitudes do you see in Stephen, “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”
(6:5)? Make a list.
[Q] From your perusal of Acts 6 and 7, what definition could you glean for “spirit-filled”?

Is this your experience with God, the Holy Spirit?
[Q] Do you know people who are “filled with the Spirit” as described here? If so, what is
distinctive about them?
[Q] In what ways do you rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit in your day-to-day life?
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Faithful to the End
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
How would you honestly answer A. W. Tozer’s questions in the introductory
paragraph?
Teaching point two: Faith gives courage to be a servant.
“Let’s get out there and do big things for God!” You’ve probably heard that from the pulpit at
church, or from the keynote speaker at a conference. But did anyone ask God? More often than
not, it seems, Jesus asks us in Scripture to do the “little” things of obedience and service.
Stephen, despite being one who performed signs and wonders, saw the value of service behind
the scenes for the sake of those in need.
Look again at Acts 6:1–8.
[Q] What might have been going on in the church that would cause the Greek widows to be
neglected?
[Q] Why would something as simple as distributing food, or “waiting on tables” (6:2), require
overseers who were “full of the Spirit and wisdom”?

How does servanthood require courageous faithfulness?
[Q] Look at how Stephen is described in verses 3, 5, and 8. Is the task he is assigned “beneath
him”? Or are his gifts being wasted? What does this tell you about God’s economy?
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Faithful to the End
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[Q] In what ways do you think Stephen’s assignment from the disciples prepared him to face
his demise with such grace?
Stephen, despite his wisdom and the power of God revealed through him, operated as a humble
servant. This may have helped him avoid arrogance, and choose forgiveness, while interacting
with his persecutors in Acts 7:59–60.
[Q] Where do you need to serve so that the church may move forward?

Is there any service you feel is “beneath you”? If so, why?
Teaching point three: Faith gives courage to be one who speaks up.
Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. Everyone has heard the surveys that indicate that
most people would rather die than give a speech in front of others. Some universities even offer
public speaking courses online to allay this fear! Huh?! But as strong as our fear is of speaking
in public, our fear of speaking the truth is stronger. When speaking the truth of the gospel
means we will be met with rejection, anger, or worse, the temptation is to back down. Stephen
models a faith that courageously speaks up with the truth, even at great risk.
Look again at Acts 6:8–7:53.
[Q] What are your first impressions of Stephen’s long sermon?
[Q] These men spread lies, produced false witnesses, and incited the people in order to
silence Stephen. Why were they so threatened by Stephen? What were they trying to
protect?
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[Q] What do you think it means that Stephen’s face “was like the face of an angel” (6:15)?
[Q] Stephen is accused of rejecting God, because he spoke against the Law and the Temple
(6:11–14). What does this tell you about God’s need for a dwelling made with human
hands?

What does this reveal about Israel’s regard for God’s Word and his messengers? How
does Stephen’s focus upon Abraham, Joseph, and Moses reveal Israel’s tendency to fall
into dead religion?
[Q] What does it tell you about Stephen and his heart that he would deliver the indictment in
7:51–53 in this atmosphere?
[Q] Are there areas in which you are “stiff necked” or resistant to what God is doing?

How have you exchanged religious ritual for relationship with the Father?
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[Q] Where is God calling you to speak up with courage and faith, even within the church?
Teaching point four: Faith gives courage to be sacrificial.
Steve Taylor, a Christian songwriter, musician, and producer, wrote the song “Over My Dead
Body” about the persecution of Christians in Poland in 1983. In this song he speaks of
Christians standing for their faith, even if it costs their lives. One of the lines says, “Try and
blow out the fire—you’re fanning the flames.”
As followers of Christ are sacrificial, the kingdom grows.
Read Acts 7:54–8:3 and Acts 20:19–21.
[Q] Was Stephen’s sermon a success? What were the results—immediate and in the future?
[Q] How did Stephen provoke such a frenzied, violent, even illegal response from these
supposedly law-abiding religious leaders?
[Q] What does this passage tell you about Stephen and his heart? About God and his heart?
[Q] What is the effect of Stephen’s martyrdom upon Saul?
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Faithful to the End
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[Q] When have you seen God use evil to produce good?
[Q] Stephen’s last words are the words of Christ on the cross (7:59–60). Do you think it’s true
that the more we become like Christ, the more we will face persecution? Explain.
[Q] The writer Tertullian (A.D. 200) said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the
Church.” What do you think that means? Was he right?
[Q] In a culture where we try to secure as much safety for our families, possessions, and lives
as possible, what is the kingdom message here? Where do you need to sacrifice your
safety for Christ’s sake?

How might your prayers change if you pray for something other than comfort or
safety?
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LEADER’S GUIDE
Faithful to the End
Page 9
PART 2
A Man’s Work
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs
among the people” (Acts 6:8). Undeniably, his greatest wonder was his courageous faithfulness
to Christ, even in the face of violent death. Martyrs make us sit up and take notice. They cause
us to evaluate: Am I Spirit-filled? A servant? Do I speak up for the sake of Christ? Am I
sacrificial to the end? Stephen continues to beckon us toward a faith that is marked by courage.
[Q] What is your response to the life of Stephen? What challenged you the most? What
difference will it make?
[Q] What does Stephen’s life tell you about the worth of the Son of Man?
Action Points:
As a small group, or with family and friends, pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
Visit the website of Voice of the Martyrs to find out more (you can even get information on how
to write letters to imprisoned believers). Go to: www.persecution.com.
Set aside time to take stock of your faith using the observations from Stephen’s life: Am I filled
with the Spirit? Have I been living as a servant? Do I speak up for the sake of Christ and his
kingdom? Have I been living sacrificially? Perhaps this would even be a good exercise in the
context of your small group.
—Study by Kyle White, director of Neighbors’ House, a ministry to at-risk
students in DeKalb, Illinois
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LEADER’S GUIDE
Faithful to the End
Page 10
Additional Resources:

ChristianBibleStudies.com
-Men of Integrity Series

Baptism and Fullness: The Work of the Holy Spirit Today, John R.W. Stott (Intervarsity Press, 2007; ISBN 0830834028)

Empowered Evangelicals: Bringing Together the Best of the Evangelical and
Charismatic Worlds, Rich Nathan, Ken Wilson (Vine Books, 1995; ISBN
0892839295)

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs: An Edition for the People, John Foxe (Ambassador-Emerald
International, 2005; ISBN 1932307206)

The Holy Spirit, Billy Graham (Zondervan, 2002; ISBN 0310250404)

How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit, A. W. Tozer (Christian Publications, 1991;
ISBN 0875091873)

Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot (Tyndale, 1981; ISBN 0842371524)
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ARTICLE
The Godly Man’s Regimen
Page 11
ARTICLE
The Godly Man’s Regimen
Stephen: A man of courageous faith.
Stephen was one of seven men chosen to distribute food to Greekspeaking widows (Acts 6:1). It wasn’t a glamorous ministry, but it was
essential to free the apostles to teach and preach the Word of God
(6:4).
Stephen was a persuasive speaker (Acts 6:9–10). He was full of
faith, the Holy Spirit, grace, power, and wisdom. He even performed
miracles and signs among the people (Acts 6:8).
The speech that Stephen gave to Jewish religious leaders was
courageous and convicting. The leaders had bribed men to lie about
Stephen, saying, “This man is always speaking against the Temple and
against the law of Moses” (Acts 6:13).
When the leaders asked, “Are these accusations true?” Stephen
responded with the longest sermon in the New Testament (Acts 7:2–
53). It included a review of Hebrew history plus a skillful argument
about how the Jews had continued to reject God’s messengers. Just as
Joseph’s brothers had rebelled against the one who would save them
(Acts 7:9–16), and the Israelites had rebelled against their savior,
Moses (7:35), so Stephen’s accusers were rebelling against their Godsent Savior, Jesus (Acts 7:51–52).
“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the
truth,” Stephen told his accusers. “Must you forever resist the Holy
Spirit?” (Acts 7:51). The leaders were furious. But when Stephen
looked toward heaven and said he saw Jesus standing at the right
hand of God, it was too much. The leaders dragged him out of town
and stoned him to death.
One man who watched Stephen’s face become “bright as an angel”
(Acts 6:15) couldn’t help but be impressed by his courage. As Saul
held the coats of Stephen’s accusers, he must have cringed as each
stone hit its mark. Later—even when Saul was dragging Christians to
jail—he must have fought the memory of Stephen’s death. Then Saul
had his own encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. Like
Stephen, he saw heaven opening. And when Saul, renamed Paul,
became the church’s first foreign missionary, the blood of Stephen
was the seed that spread Christianity throughout the world.
p. 1251, Men of Integrity Devotional Bible
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