Talk Together

Family conversations with God’s Word.

Who is the bravest person you know? How do they show their bravery? Sometimes we think people are brave because they are big and strong. Other people may seem brave because of what they do and say.

No matter how brave someone is, they still need God to be with them and rescue them. We all do! Sometimes God rescues us from a scary situation here on Earth. He takes the scary thing away or helps us not worry or be afraid. But other times, God delivers us from Scary Situations by rescuing us to heaven, where we will live without fear in the presence of God.

Stephen was one of the very first Christians. (Big kids can read about Stephen in Acts chapters 6 and 7.) He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit and did great wonders and signs. It was obvious God was working through him!

But not everyone was happy with Stephen. There were men who did not agree with him and began to debate him. These men secretly convinced people to bring a charge against Stephen that he was lying about God! Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, and people said things that weren’t true about him. But remember, Stephen was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. In Acts, the Bible tells us how Stephen reacted. Can you help me find Acts chapter 6 verse 15? 

ESV

And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)

Stephen stayed calm. He didn’t panic. Even his face showed his superstrong faith!

How else did Stephen respond? He reminded them about Israel’s history and their relationship with God. He finished by telling the religious leaders that God’s messengers had been rejected and persecuted throughout Jewish history — and it was happening again.

The religious leaders were furious! How dare he accuse them! But Stephen remained calm and kept his eyes on Jesus. Let’s read Acts chapter 7 verses 55-56 to find out what happened. 

ESV

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55-56)

This made the leaders even angrier. They grabbed Stephen, dragged him out of the city and stoned him. Stephen’s final words continued to show his great faith. Let’s read them in Acts chapter 7 verses 59-60. 

ESV

And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)

Stephen chose to focus on God in the face of death. He even prayed for God to forgive the men who were hurting him. He was able to trust God because he knew God was in control. If he died, he knew he would be in a better place — in heaven with the Lord forever!

Could Stephen have been brave like that on his own? Probably not. On his own, he may have chosen to run or give in. But he was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was because of God’s strength that he could be strong.

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive the same Holy Spirit Stephen had. We may not be called to die for our faith, but we will face Scary Situations. God has promised to be with us, and He will give us the same faith, strength and peace Stephen had.