We learn from Jesus to pray like a child speaking to our Father. 1. How does a child of God pray? Not in a public show, as the hypocrites. (v.5) In a private place. (v.6) 2. With whom does a child of God pray? Not with other people. (v.5) In secret, to our Father alone. (v.6) 3. How do we children of God talk to our Father? Not with meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles. (v.7) Speaking to our Father, knowing He already knows! (v.8) What are the do's and don'ts of praying to God as our Father? What is the Bible's view of praying in public worship? 2 Chronicles 6:12-14 How was Jesus' viewpoint of prayers with many words? Matthew 6:7 How often are we informing God of a new situation? Eph. 3:20, Rom. 8:26

The Bread of Life Eternal – John chapter 6. 1. Behold the Lord of glory. 2. Find the Lord of Life. Declaration Explanation Confirmation 3. Trust the Son of God

God did mighty works outside the holy land and after Moses. In teaching this, Stephen was not rejecting God and His prophet – instead, his audience was! 1. God sent Moses as prophet to His people in Egypt (v.17-28) 2. God met with Moses in Midian, and called that place holy ground! (v.29-33) 3. God used Moses to bring God's people out of Egypt. (v.34-37) Receiving the Prophet That God Has Sent Us: How were Moses/Jesus described? Acts 7:22 and Luke 24:19 How were Moses/Jesus treated? Ac. 7:35 Jn. 1:11 Mt. 21:33-46 What is the role of Moses/Jesus? Deut.18:15 and John 6:14

Our target audience for living right and helping others is God alone. 1. We perform right actions for The Audience of One! (v.1) 2. We give to the needy for The Audience of One! (v.2-4) What steps can we take to pay less attention to others, and more to God? How motivating is it for us to show love for obedience' sake? Why? Why is it important for us, as Christians, to be different? Rom. 12:20 How does it honor God if we refuse to be more like Him? Rom. 5:10

One indication that we are children of God is that our Father in heaven sent His Son to give us true love in our hearts. 1. Other people made in God's image do strive to love their neighbors, but only sons of God go beyond that as Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. (v.43-44) 2. When our hearts desire that everyone be blessed, we are behaving as sons who take after our Father in heaven; only sons of God do that. (v.45-47) 3. The clearest evidence that God is our heavenly Father is that He sent His perfect Son to put perfect love in our hearts, just like our heavenly Father has. (v.48) Our Spiritual Growth Spurt: How motivating is it for us to show love for obedience' sake? Why? Why is it important for us, as Christians, to be different? Rom. 12:20 How does it honor God if we refuse to be more like Him? Rom. 5:10

Stephen taught that Joseph was an early pointer of Christ: both were mistreated men, later used by God to rescue His people. 1. God cared for Joseph, even in a foreign land. (v.9-10) 2. God saved His people in a foreign land, using Joseph. (v.11-13) 3. Through the one rejected son, God kept His promise to bless the whole family. (v.14-16) Pointing to Christ: How did it start? Psalm 105:16-22 Mark 15:10 What does it mean 'the Lord is with him'? Gen. 39:21 Acts 10:38 What are we learning about God? 1 Timothy 2:13 Psalm 25:22

Jesus taught us to respond to insults not on the basis of rights, but on the basis of His grace. Examples given by Jesus: No right to retaliate. (v.39) No right to possessions. (v.40) No right to time. (v.41) No right to money. (v.42) Lesson: So Christians possess no rights at all, but we possess overflowing grace! Reflection questions for our personal development: 1. If we wish we could strike back at someone who has hurt us, what do we really desire? 2. Why are we quick to take offense or ready to resent being insulted? 3. How does it affect us when others take up our time or cost us money?

Glowing with the Spirit's filling, Stephen testified to the God of glory by re-telling God's long-standing promises to bless Abraham, and how God fulfilled those promises. 1. God promised to give land and descendants. (v.1-5) 2. Despite mistreatments and sufferings, God promised to sustain and then to rescue. (v.6-7) 3. God promised to renew his covenant promises in each generation. (v.8) How does this study apply to our walk with God today? In what ways do we look forward and back? Heb. 11:10 How is this promise upheld in our lives? Gen. 17:10 Col. 2:11-12 Where do we stand on God's promises? Gal. 3:17, Rom., 4:1-25