Lesson Date: July 17, 2011

Focal Scripture Passage: Acts 7:1-60

AIM: To lead adults to discover how the Jewish religious leaders reacted to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to ask God to enable them to accept biblical truth when it is presented to them.

 

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Before class: Get enough copies of copy of the “Outline of Stephen’s Sermon” worksheet and pens or pencils for your anticipated attendance.

When class begins: Tell the following story to the class:

After Josh went to his doctor for a regular check-up, the doctor’s office called and told him there was something unusual about some of his test results.  The doctor ordered further tests, and then called Josh in to receive the results.

The doctor told Josh he had a life-threatening condition that required immediate treatment.  The doctor assured Josh he had performed the most accurate and state-of-the-art tests available.  He further said he had forwarded Josh’s test results to one of the best doctors in the country.  The other doctor completely agreed about the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ask: “How would you expect Josh to react to this news?  What would you think of Josh if he got mad, said he didn’t believe he was sick, cursed the doctor, and left the office in a rage?  If Josh rejects the truth of the test results, does that make the test results untrue?”

Tell the class that today’s lesson will show us how some people reacted to the truth of the gospel.

 

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1.     Review.

a.     Briefly remind the class that the new church had grown to a tremendous size.

b.     The Jewish religious leaders were envious of the church, and opposed it every way they could.  Twice already (chapters 4 and 5), the Jews had brought apostles before the Sanhedrin, their highest ruling council.  The Sanhedrin was also the group that tried Jesus and demanded that Pilate put him to death.

c.     Remind the class about the selection of the seven men in chapter 6, as well as the way some of the Jews trumped up charges against Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

d.     In today’s lesson we will see what Stephen said to the Sanhedrin.

2.     Worksheet.

a.     Tell the class that Stephen’s sermon is somewhat long and is a history lesson about God’s dealings with Israel throughout history.  The sermon can be easily understood, however, if we discover the outline of the message.

b.     Give everyone a copy of the “Outline of Stephen’s Sermon” worksheet, and a pen or pencil, if needed.

3.     God Chose Israel.

a.     Read Acts 7:1.

b.     Tell the class that the high priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true.  He was accused of speaking against Moses, God, the Temple, and the Law (Acts 6:11-14). 

c.     Tell the class to listen for the proper word to complete the first point on the outline, as you read Acts 7:2-8 (Israel should be written in the blank).

d.     God chose Israel, promised to give them the land, foretold their bondage in and deliverance from Egypt, and gave them the covenant of circumcision.

4.     Israel Rejected the Leaders God Sent Them.

a.     Read Acts 7:9-17.

b.     Ask the class who Israel rejected (Joseph).  God chose Joseph to save the Israelites from death by starvation, but they initially rejected him.

c.     Read Acts 7:18-36.

d.     Ask who Israel rejected (Moses).  Moses was God’s chosen deliverer, but Israel initially rejected him.

e.     Ask a volunteer to read Acts 7:37.

f.      Tell the class that God promised to send Israel a Savior (Messiah).

5.     Israel Rejected the Law and God.

a.     Read Acts 7:38-50.

b.     Ask the class what Israel rejected (the Law).

c.     God showed His love for Israel by giving them a set of rules by which to live, and a way to worship Him through the tabernacle and temple.  If they had obeyed those rules their lives would have been much better, but they continually disobeyed God’s Laws.  By doing so, Israel rejected God, in favor of dead idols.

d.     Verse 41 reminds us that false religion is always based on pride in human accomplishment.

6.     Israel Resisted the Holy Spirit, Rejected the Prophets, and Killed their Messiah.

a.     Ask a volunteer to read Acts 7:51.

b.     Ask the class whom Israel always resisted (the Holy Spirit).

c.     Read Acts 7:52.

d.     Ask who Israel rejected (the prophets).  God sent many prophets to warn Israel to turn back to God, but they rejected them.

e.     Read Acts 7:52-53.

f.      Ask whose murder Israel was responsible for (Jesus).

g.     The early chapters of the book of Acts make it abundantly clear that Israel was responsible for the betrayal and murder of Jesus (Acts 2:23, 2:36; 3:13-15; 4:10; 5:28).

7.     The Response of the Sanhedrin.

a.     Tell the class that the Sanhedrin was presented with the truth of the gospel.

b.     Read over points 1-8 on the “Outline of Stephen’s Sermon” worksheet.

c.     Israel rejected God, His Law, and His spokesmen.  At the time Stephen spoke to the Sanhedrin, they had recently rejected Jesus Christ.  Now they heard the truth.

d.     How will they respond to the truth?

e.     Read Acts 7:54-60.

f.      The Sanhedrin totally rejected Stephen’s message.

g.     Ask: “What did they do to God’s messenger, Stephen?” (they killed him).

h.     Note the extreme anger and violence of their behavior.

i.      Note, too, the involvement of the young man, Saul (verse 58).  This Saul would later be known by his Roman name, Paul.

 

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Ask: “Were the things Stephen told the Sanhedrin true?” (yes – the Bible proves them all).  Tell the class that the Jewish religious leaders totally rejected the truth of the gospel, and even killed the messenger.  Ask: “Did their rejection of the truth make Stephen’s message untrue?” (no).  Remind them of the case study about Josh, used in the introductory step.  Ask: “Did his rejection of the doctor’s diagnosis make that diagnosis untrue?” (no).

Tell the class that rejecting the truth of the gospel does not make the gospel untrue.  In addition to the truths about salvation, the same goes for other biblical truths.  Rejecting biblical truths does not make those biblical truths untrue.  Urge everyone to ask God to enable them to accept biblical truth when it is presented to them.

Tell the class that they are exposed to Bible truths often.  This happens when they read their Bible, when their Sunday School teacher teaches the Bible, and when their pastor preaches the Bible.  The key question is this: “Will we accept the biblical truths we are taught?”  That is a very important question.  Lead a closing prayer of commitment to receive and obey the things God tells us through His Word and His messengers.

 

CONCLUSION: Urge any who might not know Jesus Christ as their Savior to accept Him today.  Offer to stay after class and talk to anyone who might have questions about salvation.