Main Thought
In Acts 7, as Stephen addresses the crowd, he references a handful of the “fathers of the faith.” These are men who helped form the foundation of Christianity. We can learn a lot from their example. While these lessons can apply to every believer, they have a unique emphasis for fathers who want to live as God intended. Fathers are called like Abraham. God calls fathers to reflect the love of Christ to their spouses, and to demonstrate God’s love to their children. Fathers contend like Moses. Fathers contend for their families through things like prayer, consistency, and hard work. Fathers pay the cost like Stephen. Fathers are called to sacrifice; when they do this with joy, it reveals God’s love in a profound way. Finally, fathers are called to continue like Saul, who eventually became Paul. There may be moments in which any of us - fathers, mothers, everyone - feel like failures. The temptation in that moment is to give up or check out. But the grace of God gives us the opportunity to continue, and that’s exactly what we should do.
Main Passages
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’
- Acts 7:2-3
35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.
- Acts 7:35-36
…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…
- Proverbs 24:16
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?
Why is it important for the people we lead or influence to see us pay the cost, or sacrifice, in our leadership? In what ways do you try to apply this principle?
Have you ever felt like giving up or checking out because you failed in some way? What’s the best way for you to continue by God’s grace?