The Book of Acts — fire spreading from one city across the horizon toward Rome

Acts 7–8 — Stephen dies, the gospel scattersActs 7Length: Long

Eat

Read the passage slowly, read it again, then retell it in your own words. If you can't retell it, read it once more.

  • Read
  • Reread
  • Retell

Digest

Answer from what the passage actually says — stay in the text.

  1. What does this passage show me about God?

    • How does Stephen retell Israel's story before the council, and what happens to the church — and to the message — after he is killed?
  2. What does it show me about people — and about myself?

    • Those who were scattered 'preached the word wherever they went.' When hardship has pushed you somewhere you did not choose, how did you respond?
  3. What will I obey this week? (a concrete step, with a day)

    • Philip obeyed a strange instruction — take the desert road — and met one ready man. What prompting to go or to speak will you obey this week?
  4. Who will I tell?

    • Philip began with the very passage the Ethiopian was reading and told him the good news about Jesus. Who could you help understand something they are already curious about?

Grow

Growth is God's part, not yours. Do the cycle faithfully and trust Him to give the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Pray

Lord Jesus, Stephen saw you standing as the stones fell, and the scattering that followed carried your word everywhere. Teach me that nothing — not even suffering — can stop your gospel.