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!

Setting Up Stephen

This is the study page for the meeting on Thursday, October 4.  The study will be on Acts 6, and we will look at some apostolic puns in addition to the normal course of people and events.

Read through the chapter and into chapter 7 (yes, read ahead) to get a sense of the more complete story.  After that, focus on the 15 verses of this chapter for a few read through's.  As you go through the chapter, look for strange wording, unexpected decisions or actions, and anything else that doesn't seem to make sense.  Jot those down as questions.

As you go through a final few times, consider the questions below:

• The text doesn't say "Jews" specifically with either group.  What do these designations tell you about the make up of this gathering of believers?
• Who has been responsible for this ministry to widows?  What were the clues to this in previous chapters?
• This is the word (G1248) in verse 1 for "distribution" or "service". Use the pronunciation feature. What English "church" word does this sound like?
• This is the word (G1247), "wait" or "serve" with regard to tables.  Be sure to use the pronunciation feature again.  How is it similar to the one reviewed previously?
• In verse 6, "ministry" winds up being the same word (G1248) used in verse 1 for food distribution.  What does that tell you about the apostles view of studying Scripture?
• Both these words are derivatives of this one (G1249).  What's the difference between them?  What English words have the same sort of meaning, and possibly even mean the same thing? (think "church work" if you are having trouble with this one)
• One more word-play:  In verse 1, "increasing" or "multiplying" translates this word (G4129).  In verse 2, the word for the group the apostles summon is this word (G4128).  Again, use the pronunciation if you don't see the similarities in meaning.  What words do we use that have the same connection to each other that these seem to have?
• I have been told that the seven names of the seven selected for this work are all "Greek" which I think means they are not "Aramaic" transliterations (like for John, Peter, Simon, etc).  But I'm having trouble verifying that.  Assuming that they are Greek names, what does this tell you about the solution to the food distribution problem?
• What group is mentioned as joining the group that is very surprising?  What do they risk more than others with this decision?
• Stephen is very active among the people in what way?  Is this his "job"?  Why is he doing it?
• Stephen is opposed by a group of men.  They seem to be from one Synagogue, referred to as of "Freedmen", or previous slaves.  Look at a map of the Mediterranean and find the four regions mentioned.  Do you notice anything peculiar about the regions to which it refers?
• How does this group do in their debates with Stephen?
• What do they do in response?  What seems strange about their choice of response?
• What correspondence do you see between their accusations of Stephen and both the accusations against Jesus, and the teachings of Jesus?
• What similarities and differences do you see between the group that accosts Stephen, and the one in Chapter 5?
• How might the accusations in verse be 14 true?

This is going to prove to be a fun chapter to study, and it leaves us with a "cliff-hanger" for next week (October 11).  I'm looking forward to meeting this Thursday!

If you have questions beyond these that you feel can't wait until Thursday, post them as "Comments" and then we can address them even before we meet.  If you are a "follower" of this blog, I believe you are notified when someone posts a comment.

Have a blessed week!