YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

CHAPEL OF VICTORY (HAUSA SECTION) B.U.K

Theme: …I am doing a new thing… (Isaih 43:19 NIV)

BIBLE STUDY UNIT

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TOPIC: STEPHEN, THE MAN GOD CROWNED

TEXT: ACTS 8.3-40

PROLOGUE

Simon the sorcerer, or Simon Magus/Magician. Was the founder of Gnosticism (pre-christian
occult). Simon Magus corrupted Christians in Rome by his teachings. he allowed himself to be
buried alive in Rome with the prediction that he would rise on the third day. Simon being
honored with a statue in Rome on which was written, “To Simon the Holy God”—

But Simon himself, to judge by the narrative that follows, was more interested in the great acts of
power that accompanied Philip’s preaching than God’s reign in his life or the proclamation of
Jesus’ messiahship. Simon’s belief in Jesus seems to have been like that spoken of in John 2:23–
25—a belief based only on miraculous signs, and therefore inferior to true commitment to Jesus.

After Stephen’s murder, the mob that had admired Christians turned hostile, and the authorities
seized the chance to try to stamp out the fledgling movement. Many Christians were driven out
of Jerusalem. Philip was one of them.

The Jerusalem Jews considered the Samaritans to be second-class residents of Palestine and kept
them at arm’s length religiously. But God in his providence used as their evangelist the
Hellenistic Jewish Christian Philip, who shared their fate (though for different reasons) of being
rejected at Jerusalem—and the Samaritans received him and accepted his message.

In 18-19 Whenever and wherever God is at work, there are not only genuine responses but also
counterfeit ones. Simon “believed” and “was baptized,” Luke has reported (v.13). Evidently
Simon was included among those on whom Peter and John laid their hands (v.17).

An Ethiopian Eunuch Converted (8:26–40)

But the Holy Spirit employed refugees like Philip as messengers of the gospel. Instead of
sticking to people like himself, Philip now took the gospel to people who were very different:
Samaritans (8:4-8) and an African government official (8:26-40).

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 YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
CHAPEL OF VICTORY (HAUSA SECTION) B.U.K
Theme: …I am doing a new thing… (Isaih 43:19 NIV)

BIBLE STUDY UNIT

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Most of us prefer to hang around people who are most like us, don’t we? We feel naturally
inclined toward people who look like us, talk like us, and have the same interests as us. We’re
uncomfortable when we find ourselves in a group that holds different values than we do, and
speaks or dresses in ways so very different from our own circle of friends and acquaintances.

This account of Philip’s ministry to a high-ranking Ethiopian government official represents a

further step in the advance of the gospel from its strictly Jewish confines to a full-fledged Gentile
mission. Though a Gentile, the official was probably a Jewish proselyte or near-proselyte (a
“Proselyte of the Gate”) and was therefore viewed by Luke as still within a Jewish religious
milieu.

But what if God calls you to such a group or such an individual? Would you be willing to make
yourself uncomfortable for His sake?

1. In a typical week, what contact do you have with people who hold different values from
yours? How do you typically relate to such people? How would you like to relate to such
people? When it comes to sharing vital truth about sin and salvation,

EPILOGUE

There has to come a moment where we say to ourselves, “You know what? It’s not about me. It’s
not about whether I feel comfortable or I don’t feel comfortable. It’s about me obeying the
Lord.” No matter how bold or articulate we are, only God can enable someone to surrender to the
Holy Spirit and choose faith in Jesus. Pray for the nonbelievers you named in session 1 and those
whom you’ve been thinking about in this session.

Ask God to make them aware of their need for Him. Ask Him to provide opportunities for you to
talk with them, as He did for Philip with the Ethiopian official. Ask Him to give you courage like
Stephen and Philip. Ask for the right words and for help in obeying Him despite your discomfort.
Tell God honestly how you feel about speaking of Him with nonbelievers. If you’re meeting with

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 YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
CHAPEL OF VICTORY (HAUSA SECTION) B.U.K
Theme: …I am doing a new thing… (Isaih 43:19 NIV)

BIBLE STUDY UNIT

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a group, your group shouldn’t be a place where you need to appear more loving or bold than you
are. It should be a safe place for people to tell the truth about how much they feel they can give
God at this time. Ask God to help you not fake it with each other.