Showing Patterns - An Important Way to Teach, Acts 7

The story of Stephen does not have a good ending. He is stoned for his testimony.

His preaching, however, does give us an example of a way to teach the gospel. Stephen recited to the Jews the story of Moses (starting with an intro connecting Moses to Abraham). In the story, he highlights the fact that despite Moses' good intentions to help the people, on a couple different occasions the Israelites rejected him. First, the Israelites rejected Moses after he killed an Egyptian. It was actually an Israelite who gave a snide remark to Moses that caused Moses to leave Egypt. (See verses below; Acts 7:23-29)

Then Moses' teachings were rejected again after he led the children of Israel out of Egypt. The people created a golden calf and other false gods to worship despite being taken out of slavery through the most miraculous of methods.

Stephen made the point that it was not uncommon for the Jews to misidentify their prophets. In fact, most of their prophets were rejected. Jesus was another example of a person they had rejected, only in this case he was the Son of God.

By bringing up patterns that applied very aptly to the Jewish people, Stephen pricked their hearts; unfortunately this caused them great anger and led to his death. It's clear that they understood the message. It's clear that it impacted them. It's also clear that they were a proud and wicked people. Being able to take patterns and stories in the scriptures and apply these to life is a critical teaching skill and requires knowledge of the scriptures.

Have a good day.

23 And when he was full ^aforty years old, it came into his heart to visit his ^bbrethren the children of Israel.

24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was ^aoppressed, and ^bsmote the Egyptian:

25 For he supposed his brethren would have ^aunderstood how that God by his hand would ^bdeliver them: but they understood not.

26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye ^awrong one to another?

27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ^aruler and a judge over us?

28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

29 Then ^afled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two ^bsons.