Faithful Stephen → Wise Stephen → Courageous Stephen → Forgiving Stephen
Stephen's Testimony — Faithful, Wise, Courageous, and Forgiving
Welcome to Roaring Rapids Ranch Bible Studies
Welcome to this companion Bible study on Stephen, one of the first deacons and faithful witnesses in the early church. Rather than remembering Stephen only as the first Christian martyr, this study follows his testimony of grace, wisdom, courage, and forgiveness. Stephen faithfully served the growing church, spoke with wisdom through the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed God's truth before his accusers, looked to the risen Jesus in heaven, and prayed for those who were putting him to death.
The printable Scripture text, Bible lesson, and discussion questions are available below for personal study, family devotions, Sunday school, or weekly Bible class use. We hope this Ranch Bible Study page gives readers a warm place to listen, reflect, and follow the trail of the Scriptures to discover many blessings along the way.
These Bible Lessons are taken from the International Bible Lesson and Commentary written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr., who has compiled, edited, and written books on Jonathan Edwards, Charles G. Finney, Charles H. Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, Francis Schaeffer and others. His trail is teaching the Truth in the Love of Jesus Christ.
Stephen's Testimony in This Study
Acts 6 and 7 show us Stephen's faithful witness as he served Christ with grace, wisdom, courage, and forgiveness.
Grace — He taught the truth with love and grace, leading some to faith in Jesus Christ.
Wisdom — He spoke with wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Courage — He knew Jesus taught as He died, and he was prepared to teach until death.
Forgiveness — He obeyed and trusted Jesus, and forgave others with his eyes fixed on Jesus.
Study Resources
Use these printable resources for personal study, family study, or a class discussion. The Scripture text and Bible lesson follow Stephen as he serves faithfully, speaks with Spirit-given wisdom, bears courageous witness before his accusers, and forgives with his eyes fixed on the risen Lord.
📖 Scripture Text
Read or print the Scripture passages for this study.
Listen to the Scripture reading and Bible lesson while following the printable resources above.
Learn English with Stephen's Testimony
These English learning pages use the Scripture text and Bible lesson in one study. Tutors may use the lesson plan for a live or online class, and students may use the self-study page for independent practice. The lesson helps English learners read, listen, speak, reflect, and write while following Stephen through faithful service, Spirit-given wisdom, courageous witness, and forgiving love.
When Hank is brutally beaten by a stranger from his past, everyone at Roaring Rapids Ranch wants justice. Jake, Tiny, Mary, Caldwell, and Tex all feel the pain of seeing one of their own suffer. Yet the greatest surprise comes from Hank himself.
Instead of asking for revenge, Hank asks Jake to send one of his Good Advice Books to the man who attacked him. While still lying in pain, Hank says he is praying for the stranger and hopes the man will use his time in jail to read about Jesus and think about the life he is living.
Stephen showed the same spirit in Acts 7. As stones struck him, he did not ask God to destroy those who hated him. Instead, with his eyes fixed on the risen Lord Jesus, Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Both Stephen and Hank remind us that forgiveness is not weakness. It is one of the clearest demonstrations that Jesus Christ has changed a person's heart.
Stephen reminds us that faithful witness may require service, wisdom, courage, and forgiveness. He served the church, spoke the truth with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, looked to Jesus when others opposed him, and prayed for those who were taking his life. His testimony shows that the Lord can give His people grace to stand firm and forgive, even on the hardest trail.
Old Man Caldwell might say: "A faithful witness don't always get to choose the trail, the crowd, or the cost. He just keeps his eyes on the Lord and tells the truth with grace."
