Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
June 15, 2025
FORWARD: The First Martyr
Acts 6-7
Acts 6:8-14
[8] And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. [9] Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. [10] But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. [11] Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” [12] And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, [13] and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, [14] for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
What are the charges they are bringing against Stephen?
Acts 7:39-41
[39] Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, [40] saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ [41] And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.
Acts 7:48-53
[48] Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
[49] “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
[50] Did not my hand make all these things?’
[51] “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. [52] Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, [53] you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
Acts 7:54-60
[54] Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. [55] But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [56] And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” [57] But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. [58] Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
1. The Real Fight
What did the temple leadership think the Christians were trying to do?
What were the Christians actually, literally doing?
Ephesians 6:12
[12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Why were the temple leaders so defensive and aggressive when Stephen said the temple was no longer needed?
What are some common idols in our society today?
What evidence did Stephen and the first Christians give that showed they were not enslaved to idols?
2. The Real Narrative
What was one major aspect of the false narrative the temple leaders believed?
How was Stephen’s story different, and therefore, how is the story of the Bible different?
How might we sometimes lean more towards the false narrative of the temple leaders, reducing God down to a manageable size?
Here’s a tough question. Are you trying to write God into your story? Or are you letting him write you into his? What narrative are you living within right now?
3. The Real Verdict
What verdict did the council give Stephen that day?
Acts 7:55-56
[55] But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [56] And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
To see Jesus standing “at the right hand of God” means he is standing in the throne room of heaven. In ancient times, a throne room and courtroom were one in the same. Why is this significant for Stephen to see as he is being unjustly executed?
Scholars have different opinions on this, but why do you think Jesus is standing instead of sitting on the throne?
If we belong to Christ, what is our verdict and why?
Stephen knew the real fight, the real narrative, and the real verdict. How do you think knowing these three realities helped prepare him to face his horrible death with such confidence and faith?
