Observations:

1. Great Persecution (1a)
2. Great Scattering (1b)
3. Great Sorrow (2)
4. The Cost of Following Christ (3)

Applications:

1. Prepare for Persecution
2. Prepare for Kingdom Work
3. Prepare for Times of Sorrow
4. Prepare for Personal Hardship

MC Questions:

1. The title of the sermon was “Persecution Produces Growth”.
   • Do you believe this is true in the lives of Christians? Why or why not?
   • How have you seen this played out in your life?
2. What happened to the church (specifically the Hellenistic Jewish believers) right after Stephen was killed?
   • How was this hard?
   • How was this used to advance the kingdom of God?
3. Now think about your own life.
   • Can you think of a situation where maybe you have been/are being  wrongly treated and it is leading to the spread of the gospel?
4. The gospel being in our lives can be a cause for tremendous joy and sorrow.
   • How does it bring joy?
   • How can love for the gospel bring sorrow?
5. Why is it necessary for us (Christians) to understand that there is a real cost to following Christ?
   • What does that cost look like?