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In chapter 6 we see that the first century church experienced growing pains, and with those growing pains came situations that challenged their new-found faith.  We should not be discouraged by these situations or allow them to separate us; instead, we should seek the Lord’s will in the midst of them.  Jesus will bring about a solution that blesses all. 

  1. What can you learn about the Grecian Jews and the Hebraic Jews?

  

What was the “problem” faced by the church?

  

If not addressed, what might have been the result of this “disagreement?”

  

How do you react to situations like this?  How should the church react?

  

What situations should we expect to encounter with the growth of the church?

  

  1. What solution do the apostles present to the church?

  

  1. Read v. 2.  If you were present, how would you react to the statement that the apostles were not to neglect their ministry to wait upon tables?

  

Does this mean they are more important than those chosen to wait upon tables?

  

What was the apostles’ ministry that could not be neglected (see vv. 2 & 4)?

  

How does this relate to the ministry of the church today?

  

How would you feel if you were selected to “wait upon tables” while someone else was selected to a more visible ministry?

  

  1. Lest we think this responsibility was not important, what qualifications do the seven men have to have?

  

Why are these qualifications significant?

 

If you were responsible for choosing someone to wait upon tables today, for what qualifications would you look?

  

What can we learn from these scriptures about selecting any person for ministry?

  

  1. What do the apostles’ do to begin the ministry of the chosen men?

  

  1. We hear of Stephen for the first time in v. 5.  What do we learn about him?

  

Have you ever met anyone with these qualifications?

  

What do we learn of him from v. 8?

  

Would you associate these actions with someone chosen to wait tables?

 

 What does this tell us about the first century church?

  

  1. What result did the handling of this problem have (see v.7)?  Why do you think this happened?

  

  1. What is the significance of the statement in v. 7 that even a large number of priests believed?

  

  1. What can you learn about the members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen mentioned in v. 9?

  

  1. What really made these men angry with Stephen?

  

What did they do as a result (vv. 11 – 13)?

  

  1. How did Stephen react to these men who purposely “stirred up” the people and the elders?

  

How do you react to people who like to stir things up on purpose?

  

How do you believe Jesus wants His church to react to such people?

  

  1. What impact does v. 15 have on you?

  

  1. What can we learn about selecting people for ministry?

  

How does the church usually select leadership?