4th Grade Bible & Scripture — The Early Church — Acts of the Apostles
Students will learn about Stephen's faithful witness, his powerful speech, and his courage as the first person to give his life for faith in Jesus.
Stephen was one of seven men chosen by the apostles to help serve the growing church. He was described as 'a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.' Stephen not only served food to widows — he also preached the Gospel with great power.
Some religious leaders who opposed Jesus became angry with Stephen. They could not argue against his wisdom, so they brought false accusations against him and dragged him before the Jewish council called the Sanhedrin.
Stephen gave a long, bold speech reviewing the history of Israel and showing how the people had always resisted God's messengers — and had now rejected and killed Jesus, the promised Messiah. The council was furious.
As Stephen was being stoned to death, he looked up to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. His last words were, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' Stephen forgave his killers, just as Jesus had forgiven from the cross. A young man named Saul watched the stoning — and would later become the Apostle Paul.
Write a short journal entry as if you were someone in the crowd watching Stephen. What would you have seen? How would you have felt hearing his words and seeing his courage? Include Stephen's last words in your entry.