Christian Religious Studies - Junior Secondary 3 - Persecution of the early believers: arrest and martyrdom of Stephen. Acts 6:8-17; 17:1-60

TERM: 1^ST TERM

WEEK: 8

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: Christian Religious Knowledge

TOPIC: Persecution of the early believers: arrest and martyrdom of Stephen. Acts 6:8-17; 17:1-60.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1.) Give an account of the arrest and martyrdom of Stephen

2.) Discuss the moral lessons from the account

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Recommended Christian Religious Knowledge textbooks for Junior Secondary School 3

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

NOTE

PERSECUTION OF THE EARLY BELIEVERS:

Arrest and Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6:8-17; 7:1-60)

Acts 6:8-10: Stephen’s Bold Ministry

Stephen, one of the seven deacons chosen to help with the distribution of food (Acts 6:1-7), was full of grace and power. He performed great wonders and signs among the people. However, his activities began to stir up opposition from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Jews of Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia). They argued with Stephen, but they could not stand up against the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Acts 6:11-15: False Accusations

Unable to dispute Stephen’s wisdom, his opponents secretly instigated men to falsely accuse him of blasphemy. They claimed that Stephen had spoken against Moses and God, and they stirred up the people, the elders, and the teachers of the law against him. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. In their accusations, they claimed that Stephen had said that Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs of Moses.

The false witnesses who testified against him stirred up enough trouble that Stephen’s face appeared like that of an angel, which caused the members of the council to be filled with rage.

Acts 7:1-53: Stephen’s Defense

Stephen was given the opportunity to defend himself before the Sanhedrin. Instead of directly addressing the accusations, he gave a detailed speech, recounting the history of Israel from Abraham to the present. Stephen highlighted the rebelliousness of the Israelites against God’s messengers, including Moses and the prophets. He pointed out that the Jewish people had a long history of resisting God's plan, culminating in the rejection of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. Stephen accused the council of continuing this rebellion by persecuting the prophets and now rejecting the Messiah.

Stephen’s speech was a powerful condemnation of the Jewish leaders for their hardness of heart and their rejection of God's truth.

Acts 7:54-60: Stephen’s Martyrdom

When the council heard Stephen’s words, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He proclaimed that he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. This statement enraged the council even more, and they dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, asking God to forgive those who were killing him, just as Jesus had done on the cross. His final words were, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He then fell to his knees and died, becoming the first Christian martyr. The young man Saul (who would later become the Apostle Paul) was present, consenting to Stephen's death.

(b) Moral Lessons

1. Faithfulness in the Face of Opposition – Stephen’s unwavering commitment to the truth, even in the face of false accusations and the threat of death, serves as an example of how believers are called to remain faithful to God’s calling, no matter the opposition.
2. Boldness in Speaking the Truth – Stephen was filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaimed the gospel, even when it led to his persecution. This teaches believers the importance of speaking the truth boldly and standing firm in their faith, even when it is unpopular.
3. The Cost of Discipleship – Stephen's martyrdom demonstrates that following Jesus can come at a great personal cost, including suffering and even death. It teaches believers to count the cost of discipleship and be willing to endure hardship for the sake of Christ.
4. Forgiveness in the Midst of Persecution – Stephen’s final words, asking God to forgive those who were killing him, reflect the forgiveness and love that Christians are called to show, even to their persecutors. This shows the importance of maintaining a spirit of forgiveness, following the example of Jesus.
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Strengthening Believers – Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, which empowered him to stand firm in his faith and to speak boldly. This teaches that the Holy Spirit equips believers to endure trials and to witness for Christ with courage.
6. God’s Presence and Assurance in Times of Persecution – Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand, providing him with comfort and assurance in his final moments. This reminds believers that, in times of trial and persecution, God is with them and provides His presence and strength.
7. Persecution Can Lead to the Spread of the Gospel – Stephen’s death set off a wave of persecution against the early church, leading to the scattering of believers. This scattering helped spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus’ command to go into all the world. This shows that God can use even persecution for the advancement of His kingdom.
8. The Example of Early Christian Martyrs – Stephen's martyrdom serves as an example for Christians throughout history who have faced persecution for their faith. It demonstrates the value of living and dying for Christ, which can inspire others to remain faithful even in difficult circumstances

EVALUATION:

1. How did Stephen demonstrate faithfulness and boldness in proclaiming the truth, even when faced with false accusations and persecution?
2. What can we learn from Stephen’s willingness to forgive those who persecuted him, and how does this reflect the teachings of Jesus?
3. In what ways did Stephen’s martyrdom fulfill God’s plan for spreading the gospel, and how does this challenge us to respond to opposition for our faith?
4. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in Stephen’s life empower believers to stand firm in their faith and speak boldly in the face of persecution?
5. What role does the cost of discipleship play in the Christian walk, and how can Stephen’s example inspire us to endure trials for the sake of Christ?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively