Acts 6

This is a short chapter, only 15 verses.   Remember we are learning to find the point God wants us to know by looking at the people, the places, and the predicaments.

The first half of this chapter deals with the church structure.  As today, 20% of the people were doing 80% of the work.  While the 80% were doing the grumbling.  Isn't it interesting that those who are doing the work have no time to be grumbling, and those who are grumbling seem to have no interest in the work?

As the Church grew in numbers, it grew in problems.

Verse 1 –

What does murmuring mean?

Read John 17:11, What did God want his people know for?

What opposing forces were there?  What were the issues?

Verse 1 –

______________________ vs. ________________________

The Greeks thought that their widows were neglected when the disciples were passing out the food.  Were they or not? 

Verse 2 – What was the problem for the 12 disciples?

What lesson can you learn from them about yourself?

What are your priorities in ministry?

Verse 3 – What qualities were they looking for in leaders?

1.      ____________________________________ v.3

2.      ____________________________________ v.3

3.      ____________________________________ v.3

4.      ____________________________________ v.3

5.      ____________________________________ v.3

6.      ____________________________________ v.3

7.      ____________________________________ v.3

Verse 4 - they had been called to the ministry of the Word and that is what their first priority ought to be.

What were the names of the seven new leaders they chose?

Verse 6 What did they do to these leaders?

Verse 7 – What was the result of their reorganization?

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The first part dealt with an internal church problem - AGAIN - and the last part of the chapter deals with external pressure - AGAIN.  What does that seem to indicate for our church today? 

Verse 9 - As the word grew, so did the opposition to it. 

 Who were the Libertines?

Verse 10 – Why couldn’t they resist the truth?

1.      _________________________________

2.      _________________________________

Verse 11 - suborned = throw in stealthily

What tactics did they use to accuse Stephen? V.11-14

1.      ___________________________________

2.      ___________________________________

3.      ___________________________________

What was he accused of?

1.      _______________________________

2.      _______________________________

3.      _______________________________

4.      _______________________________

5.      _______________________________

6.      _______________________________

Verse 15 - What was Stephen's response?  How could he have such peace in the midst of crisis?

How would you summarize this chapter? 

What are the major issues that concern you today?

Are you part of the grumbling problem?  Why?

Are you part of the over worked problem? Why?

Are you a new leader about to embark on a wonderful adventure with God?  What do you look forward to?

Notice that the over-worked disciples did not drop their ministries, they did not take a sabbatical, they simply enlisted more workers to help THEM.  They did not leave.

What an example for His disciples today who carry such heavy loads. 

Pray for laborers for the harvest. 

It might end up being you!