📖

Stephen: The First Martyr

Acts: The Gospel Spreads

Day 86of 180
Week 18of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand Stephen's role as the first Christian martyr

2

Identify how Stephen demonstrated courage in his faith

3

Recognize the power of forgiveness in challenging situations

📖 Scripture Connection

Acts 7:59-60

“They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!' Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, 'Lord, don't hold this sin against them!' When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

— Acts 7:59-60 (WEB)

Demonstrates ultimate faith and forgiveness in the face of persecution

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • Colored paper
  • Markers
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide
  • Journal
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

BibleMouse adventure begins! Recap how early Christians shared God's love despite challenges

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about Peter and John's boldness last week?
2Teaching (10 min)

Exploring Stephen's incredible story of faith and courage

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Stephen was a faithful follower chosen to serve the early church
  • He spoke boldly about Jesus, even when people became angry
  • Stephen saw a vision of Jesus standing at God's right hand
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What made Stephen special in the early church?
  • How did Stephen show courage?
3Activity: Courage Collage: Stephen's Faith Journey (12 min)
character study

Create a visual representation of Stephen's faith and courage

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw Stephen's key moments of faith
  2. Write key phrases from his speech
  3. Illustrate how he responded to persecution
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-drawn outline with stickers

Challenge: Write a first-person narrative from Stephen's perspective

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on Stephen's incredible example of faith

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did Stephen do when people were angry with him?
  • How did Stephen show love to those who hurt him?
🙏 Prayer:

Pray for courage to stand strong in faith

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about Philip sharing the gospel with an Ethiopian official

💎 Memory Verse

Acts 2:42

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

— Acts 2:42 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Stephen's Brave Words Puzzle: Create a puzzle where children arrange words of the memory verse, discussing how early Christians stayed strong in faith

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Stephen was one of the first deacons, known for his wisdom and faith

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle language when discussing martyrdom
  • Emphasize Stephen's love and forgiveness
  • Connect lesson to age-appropriate understanding of faith
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find the concept of persecution difficult to understand

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Empathy, understanding of standing up for beliefs

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research other early Christian martyrs using BibleMouse Resource Guide
  • Act out Stephen's story as a family drama
  • Create a prayer journal about courage

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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