Stand Regardless

Friday, October 2, 2015
Acts 8:1-8 KJV 

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial], and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed [with them]: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who consented to Stephen's being stoned to death? (v.1a)
2) What was happening within the early church during that time? (v.1b-1c)
3) Who carried Stephen's body to be buried and what was their response to his death? (v.2)
4) What was Saul during this time? (v.3)
5) What did the disciples do in response to the persecution? (v.4)
6) What did Philip do? (v.5)
7) What happened in Samaria as a result of Philip's ministry? (v.6-8)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) If you were facing persecution for the cause of Christ, would you cease ministering to God's people? If so, why? If not, why not?

LIFE LESSONS
9) As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to expect persecution and to be willing to die for the cause of Christ.
10) The threat of persecution should not discourage disciples of Christ from continuing the ministry that He has called each of us to.