February 2, 2025

Be Prepared to Give a Defense

Pastor: Steven Lewis Series: The Book of Acts Scripture: Acts 7:1–53

Be Prepared to Give a Defense

Acts 7:1 - 53

Five Observations

  1. The God Defense (2 - 16)
  2. The Moses Defense (17 - 37)
  3. The Law Defense (38 - 43)
  4. The Temple Defense (44 - 50)
  5. The Verdict (51 - 53)

Three Applications

  1. Be Prepared to Give a Defense
  2. Study the Old Testament
  3. Your Life Is Not Your Own

MC Questions

Opening Question: Has there ever been a time when you have been falsely accused of something?

Read Acts 6:11 - 14. What are the four things the people accused of Stephen?

1) The God Defense:

  • How does Stephen’s response show that he honors and reveres God? (Acts 7:2 - 16)
  • How does Stephen show that the patriarchs REJECTED God? (Acts 7:9)?
  • How does rejecting Joseph equate to rejecting God?
  • Can you think of a time when you too rejected God or truth when someone shared it with you?

2) The Moses Defense

  • How does Stephen demonstrate that he respects Moses?
  • How did he communicate that the people of Israel had rejected Moses? (Acts 7:17 - 37)?
  • Read Acts 7:37. What are some significant similarities between Christ and Moses? What are some significant differences?
  • How can we grow in our love and respect for Moses and the Law?

3) The Law Defense (Acts 7:38 - 43)

  • How is it clear in Stephen’s sermon that the Israelites rejected the Law?
  • Instead of keeping the Law, what did they turn to instead? (Acts 7:39)
  • Why do you think they turned to Egypt in their hearts?
  • Has there been a time when we’ve turned back in our hearts to sin and desired things we should not have desired
  • What three things does the Law reveal?

4) The Temple Defense (Acts 7:44 - 50)

  • The Jews believed that the entirety of God dwelled in the temple. Why is this wrong and bad?
  • Where is the temple of God today? (1 Cor. 3:16)

5) The Verdict

  • Read Acts 7:51 - 53
  • What is Stephen’s verdict?
  • Was he too harsh? Was he mean? Was he too direct? Should he have been more “loving” in his accusation?
  • How would you feel if you heard a Christian say this to others?
  • How would you feel about saying this to others?

other sermons in this series

Jan 26

2025

The Gospel of Offense

Pastor: Steven Lewis Scripture: Acts 6:8–15 Series: The Book of Acts

Jan 12

2025

Healthy Church Growth

Pastor: Steven Lewis Scripture: Acts 6:7 Series: The Book of Acts