This month's memory verse

Acts 1:14

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 

Listen to the Podcast

Want weekly retellings of our favorite Bible stories and conversation guides? Listen to the Join The Journey Jr. podcast with the whole family every Monday! 

Listen Now
Monday, Mar 23 Mon
Mar 23
Acts 6:8-15
 Tuesday, Mar 24 Tue
Mar 24
Acts 6:8-15
 Wednesday, Mar 25 Wed
Mar 25
Acts 6:8-15
 Thursday, Mar 26 Thu
Mar 26
Acts 6:8-15
 Friday, Mar 27 Fri
Mar 27

 

Why was Stephen arrested?

Key Verse | Acts 6:12

And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council

Acts 6:8-15

Stephen Is Arrested

8Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

11So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.*

13The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth* will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Footnotes

6:12 Greek Sanhedrin; also in 6:15.
6:14 Or Jesus the Nazarene.

What happens in Acts 6:8-15?

So far in the book of Acts, we have seen amazing stories of how God’s people were filled with the Spirit and were bold in sharing about Jesus with others. As a result of their boldness, the Gospel was spreading quickly everywhere! As we read further into our story, we will begin to see some hard things that the believers go through. Not everyone wanted the news of Jesus to spread, and the believers started to face opposition to their faith. Read Acts 6:8-15 to see how Stephen experienced opposition while sharing about Jesus.

  1. What does Acts 6:8 say Stephen was filled with? What do you think that means?
  2. Who rose up against Stephen?
  3. What lies did they spread about Stephen?
  4. What does it mean that the elders and scribes “seized” Stephen?

For older children:

  1. What lie did the scribes and elders spread about Jesus?
  2. What do you think it meant that Stephen’s face looked like an angel?
  3. Why do you think the leaders of the synagogue were against Stephen’s message?

Discuss Acts 6:8-15 

  • Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do?
  • Has someone ever said something untrue about you?
  • What is the hardest part about being honest?
  • When is it hardest for you to do the right thing?
  • Who can help you when you feel upset or treated unfairly?

Pray

God, help me tell the truth, do what’s right, and trust you—even when things feel unfair. Amen.

LAST WEEK
NEXT WEEK