The Long Ride Out of Town

This is the study page for the Small Group Meeting on Thursday, October 11 (tomorrow).  The text is Acts 7, all of it (we'll get through what we can).

As you get ready to read through chapter 7, go back and catch the last 10 verses or so from Acts 6, so you can recapture the sense of what's going on.  First, read it through quickly, like a novel or article.  Then go back through and note anything that seems strange or quirky.  As you have questions, write them down.  Do this a few times before you get into the questions below.

I counted three turns between Stephen's start and wrap up of his address to the assembled leaders.  Each turn was a different place where the "people" or "our fathers" made yet another rebellious mistake.  See if you see the ones I saw, or even a few more.  As you read through a final time or two, consider these questions in addition to your own.

• How does Stephen do on details of Abraham's call?  Where is he off on a point or two?
• It rapidly goes from Abraham to the "patriarchs", where do you see "conflict" with the twelve sons of Jacob?  How does Stephen describe who is involved, and what they do?
• Where and from whom did Abraham purchase a burial plot?  Where is Shechem on a map?
• How does Moses see himself as the adopted prince?
• What does Stephen claim Moses understood, but the people did not?
• What details does Stephen note about Moses in Midian that isn't typically thought about Moses?
• What is it about Moses and the people that Stephen points out will make Moses' calling difficult?
• In verse 37-38, what is Stephen pointing out about Moses, his calling, his prophecy, and his role?
• What do the people do in the wilderness, and how often do they do it?
• In verse 44, a transition is made.  What is Stephen's point in the next 6 verses?
• How does Stephen tie the mistakes of "our fathers" to his audience, and what is his point?
• What is the significance of Stephen's vision as he stands before his enraged audience?
• The last words of Stephen sound a lot like the dying words of whom?

We may get through he 60 verses or we may not.  A lot of it is a quick review of Israel's history, but it is a very quick overview.  We've spent a lot of time on the part about Abraham, and some details seemed a bit different than the ones Stephen presented.  Think about that, and how important that is or isn't.

I look forward to seeing everyone Thursday!