Death... Swallowed Up In Victory

Community Groups:

Read Acts 7:54-8:1 as a group.

Is this a tale of tragedy or victory? Explain.

What filled the hearts and minds of Stephen’s accusers? What did it lead to?

What was Stephen filled with? How did that impact the way that he walked through the last moments of his earthly life?

What do Stephen’s words in verse 59 tell us about his faith? What do they tell us about his approach to death?

How do you explain Stephen’s motivation for asking that the Lord forgive his executioners? Should we pray similarly for our enemies? Why or why not?

Why do you think that Luke mentions the presence of Saul in this passage? What impact do you suppose that Stephen’s words had on Saul? See 1 Timothy 1:15 and Acts 22:20

In what way might Christ show himself victorious even through the witness of his people near death?

Read 1 Corinthian 15:55-57

Pray together.

Read Acts 8:1-8 for next week.

Family Time (For dads, moms and kids):

What does it mean to die?

Why is death a scary thing?

Read John 11:25.

How should trusting in Jesus take the scariness out of dying?

Do you trust in Jesus?

Pray for each other.