YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

CHAPEL OF VICTORY (HAUSA SECTION) B.U.K

Theme: …I am doing a new thing… (Isaih 43:19 NIV)

BIBLE STUDY UNIT

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TOPIC: STEPHEN, THE MAN GOD CROWNED

TEXT: ACTS 6.1-15

PROLOGUE

There are two words for “crown” in the New Testament: diadema, which means “a royal crown” and gives us the English
word diadem; and stephanos, the “victor’s crown,” which gives us the popular name Stephen. You can inherit a diadema, but
the only way to get a stephanos is to earn it.

Let me ask you this question: How long has it been since you’ve shared your faith with someone? The Christian life isn’t
meant to be hidden, it’s meant to be shared. We’re told in Proverbs 11:25, “The one who blesses others is abundantly
blessed; those who help others are helped.” Apostle Paul also enjoins Timothy to entrust the teaching he had received to
reliable men (see 2 Tim. 2.2). You have been blessed to be a blessing to others.… As you start declaring what God has done
for you, it will become more real for you as you make it real to them. … If you begin ministering in the name of Jesus and in
the power of the Holy Spirit, if you begin helping someone who is hurting/suffering even worse than you, you too will be
changed by the power of God.

Acts chapters 6 and 7 present Stephen as a faithful believer in four different areas of ministry: Stephen the servant (6:1–7);
Stephen the witness (6:8–15); Stephen the judge (7:1–53) and Stephen the martyr (7:54–60). This Spirit-filled man did not
limit his ministry to the serving of tables; he also won the lost and even did miracles.

BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How would you define each of Stephen’s qualities in your own words? Give a practical example of what each one
looks like in action:
a. Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3);
b. Full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6.5);
c. Full of faith (Acts 6:5);
d. Full of God’s grace (Acts 6:8 ESV and NIV); and
e. Full of power (Acts 6:8).
2. What lesson can you learn from the life of Stephen on how he progressed from being an usher to being an apostle?
(Read Acts 6.8b).
3. What do you think the text means when it says that Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel? (Acts 6:15 ESV and
NIV. Read also in KJV and AMP). How does an angel’s face look like? Why did Stephen’s face looked like that?
4. Have you ever experienced a strengthened faith or an encouragement after ministering to someone else? If so,
share your experience.

EPILOGUE

Today’s study delved into the story of how Stephen turned the world Upside Down for God during his days. This was done
not just ordinarily, but there are sacrifices that Stephen made. You can also turn the world Upside Down for God. This is only
when you attain to that level of yieldedness whereby, you are no more yours but God’s.