Courageous Words of Steven

Teachers

Richard Sutton Preacher

Clint Davison Preacher

BC

Brandon Coleman

Zach Russell Teacher

Lesson Summary

The class began by contrasting famous earthly speeches—Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Kennedy’s inaugural address, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”—with the enduring testimony of Stephen, the first Christian martyr recorded in Acts. The teacher emphasized that, unlike national speeches that speak primarily to a specific people, Stephen’s words are recorded in Scripture, granting them eternal relevance for every culture and generation. Turning to Acts 6, the teacher described how Stephen was chosen as one of the seven deacons to serve the widows, and then highlighted Acts 6:13b, which notes his “full of grace and power, and did great wonders.” The focus shifted to Acts 7, where the high priest, likely Caiaphas, accused Stephen of blaspheming Moses and the law (Acts 7:1). The teacher explained how Stephen responded with a 53‑verse speech that traced Israel’s history from Abraham to Solomon, culminating in the revelation that the true temple is the risen Christ. By linking the Old Testament narrative to Jesus, Stephen demonstrated unwavering conviction even in the face of death. The lesson concluded that true courage comes from a heart anchored in Christ’s purpose, encouraging participants to emulate Stephen’s bold witness in their own lives, trusting that God’s word endures beyond any human accolade.

Key Scriptures