Student Devotion Week 12: The Martyrdom of The Saints: The Stonging of Stephen

Key Verse: Acts 7:55-56, "55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Tertullian, a church leader in the second century, said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." He was living through times of intense persecution, yet he saw the Church continue to grow and thrive. No matter how many Christians lost their lives, the Church continued to expand.

This kind of persecution began with the martyrdom of Stephen. When faced with a mob that wanted to destroy the fledgling Christian Church, Stephen gave bold witness to Jesus Christ. In response to the enraged mob stoned him. His death wouldn't be the last, either. Throughout the history of the early Church, people gave their lives for the gospel: Stephen, James, Peter, Paul. Yet the Church continues to multiply again and again.

This kind of martyrdom does not exist just in the Bible. As you read this, people all over the world are still giving the ultimate sacrifice in order to spread the gospel of Christ. You and I may never be asked to make that sacrifice, but daily we'll be asked to give our lives to Christ as we serve him wherever he chooses to use us. This week we're going to ask the question: Would I be willing to give my life for Christ? Until we understand the sacrifice of past saints, we won't be able to follow in their footsteps today.

Student Devotion Week 11: Shared Ministry: Choosing the Seven

Key Verse: Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Moses was tired. He'd been listening to one disagreement after another. I imagine him mediating a dispute between two people who claim to have created manna soup, and both want the patent on the recipe. The Israelites had been coming to Moses with these kinds of questions all day, and the line still wrapped around the tent-twice, "This is ridiculous", he thought. "I can't keep this up." But he was the leader of Israel-wasn't settling disputes his job? If so, then how does the leader of a million people wandering in the desert go on a vacation?

Next in line was Moses' father-in-law who had some advice of his own, "Moses, share the load. It's not all up to you." So Moses did, and he got that vacation.

Just like Moses, the apostles figured out early on that they couldn't do ministry by themselves. So God helped them choose others to share the ministry of his kingdom. Everyone in the early Church had a part to play in ministry.

This week we're going to think about the shared ministry of the Church. Whether you know it or not, God has a place for you to serve, and the whole concept of church won't work unless you get involved. It's time we all got off the pews and into the game.

Student Devotion Week 10: An Invincible Church: Persecution of The Apostles

Key Verse: Acts 5:29, "Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'"

Let's think for a moment about all the religious that have come and gone. There were Egyptian gods, that whole druid thing, and how can we forget all those Greek gods?

But then there's the church. Not only has the Church stood the test of time-spanning more than 2,000 years of history-but multitudes of people have also tried to destroy it without success. Bibles have been turned, apostles executed, and entire empire tried to wipe out the Church-all to no avail. The Church continues to thrive. Why? Because Jesus is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Impostors fade away while Christ remains.

The situation has been the same from the Church's beginning. In Acts the apostles were threatened by religious and government authorities, thrown in jail, and beaten. But none of this put a dent in God's unfolding plan for his kingdom in the world. The Church continued to grown through all of the opposition.

Today's Church is the same way. Christians around the world are persecuted, and the Church of Jesus Christ still stands. Yet most of us don't see the Church as the invincible body it is.

Student Devotion Week 9: Integrity: The Key to Our Witness

Key Verse: 1 Peter 1:15, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do."

Mahatma Gandhi was an influential Hindu leader in the early twentieth century whose life and teachings are still followed by many today. He often referred to Jesus with terms of praise, prompting someone to ask Gandhi if he wanted to become a Christian. In reply, he said, "I like your Christ: I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." His sentiment is shared by many. How many people have been driven away from church because some Christians talk like believers but never live out the faith they preach?

The reality is that if we don't live what we say, then we lose our credibility in telling others about Jesus. When Christians lack integrity, everyone loses. What's integrity? Having integrity means being honest. It means saying what you mean and meaning what you say. And it's more important than you know. In the early stages of the Church, God went so far as to kill one couple who purposefully lied to their church. What happened to them was pretty drastic. But their lack of integrity threatened the Church.

As Christians we have to be diligent about making sure our lives reflect our beliefs. And since we're a part of a larger body, we have to help each other live out our beliefs as well. Even if we live correctly, when other believers are hypocrites, it hurts our witness. So this week we're going to talk about the integrity of not just our lives, but of the Church as well. Whether you like it or not, we're all in this together.

Student Devotion Week 8: One Community: Sharing Among Believers

Key Verse: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

Growing up in my church, the word fellowship meant some sort of post-worship-service gathering that involved food and coffee. And that was about it. It seemed pointless then; but looking back, I can see how important those times were. A church is a family made up of different types of people. And the only way such a diverse group can become a real family-and not just a crowd-is by spending time together.

This week we'll see the members of the early church giving money to one another, sharing their possessions, and taking care of each other. This is what a real church family is supposed to look like. But how do we get there?

In every church God wants to build something called community, the sense that we're all connected in a real way. Serving each other, helping, loving, and giving are all ways we express real community.

Believe it or not, this can be the most exciting and life-changing aspect of your church experience. But community isn't easy to come by. It takes a deliberate choice to be a part of the people of God. Once you join, the benefits are endless. This week we're going to look at how to build real community in our own churches.

Student Devotion Week 7: Physical Opposition: Peter, John, and the Sandhedrin

Key Verse: "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39

At the entrance to the Coliseum in Rome stands a huge iron cross. It was erected to commemorate the countless number of Christians who were killed for sport in that place and throughout the Roman Empire. Scary as it may seem, throughout history people have given their lives just for claiming to be Christians and refusing to deny Jesus. And while the Coliseum may seem millions of miles away from your daily life, persecution and death are a present-day reality for many Christians around the world today. Peter and John knew this kind of persecution. In Acts 4:1-12 they were thrown in Jail just because they were preaching the gospel. And that was just the beginning. Our lives may never be at risk simply because we're Christians. But one of the things we'll have to deal with is opposition. Jesus said that since people hated him, they'd also hate us for no other reason than because we love God. It seems odd, but it happens. You've probably already experienced people excluding you or making fun of you just for your beliefs. This week we're going to look at some responses to physical threats and how we can best use these situations to be witnesses for Christ.

Student Devotion Week 6: Silver or Gold I Do Not Have: Healing of the Beautiful Beggar

Key Verse: Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

You've seen the signs: Caution! Men at Work. Speeding Fines Double When Workers Present. Orange signs, cones, and barricades-these are the everyday things that let us know what's ahead.

Did you know God is always working? There are no flares or flashing lights that call us to look. We have to be sensitive to the opportunities around us. We have to sense God's Spirit moving in us. We have to learn to be aware, to be alive to the possibilities.

Peter and John sensed an opportunity one afternoon while they were on their way to pray. They saw a man who needed new legs. They saw a man who needed a handout to get his meal for the day. But they saw something more. They saw a man who needed Jesus. They knew from their own experience that if they could introduce this beggar to Christ, then he'd have all he really needed.

This week we're going to be challenged to see where God is at work and join God.