Slices
Prepare
Thank Jesus for his sacrifice for you on the cross.
Bible passage
The stoning of Stephen
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.
8 And Saul approved of their killing him.
The church persecuted and scattered
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Explore
This is a dramatic moment for the church. Stephen’s sermon makes the people so angry that they drive him out of the city and stone him (v 58). Amid the noise, the anger, the shouting, the violence, Stephen himself appears to be like the calm eye of the storm. He is transfixed by a vision of Jesus (7:55) and prays for his killers (v 60), just as Jesus had done on the cross (Luke 23:34). Contrast that with the possible raging anger evident in ‘a young man named Saul’ (7:58; 8:1,3). Saul is zealous in his pursuit of Jesus’ followers, going house to house and throwing people into jail.
The persecution in Jerusalem causes believers to flee in different directions (8:1). However, they are not running away to find the best hiding places nor disappearing into the shadows. No, they preach as they go (8:4) and their preaching draws crowds (8:6). They leave because they can do more good free than in jail.
It has been a privilege for me personally to live and travel in post-communist Europe and to listen to the recollections of Christians who faced very real persecution. I have not experienced that first-hand, so I cannot say for sure how I would react. But here in the UK Christian beliefs are increasingly under attack both in the social sphere and in workplaces.
Respond
Pray that those facing persecution in their nation or in their workplace would know whether to stay or to go.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Nehemiah 7,8; Luke 8
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for the way in which over many years SU holiday club material has helped many children to start a journey with God. Pray for all churches using the resources over this summer and for a lasting impact on the children who attend.
