Bible Study Notes 6/30/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Summer Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 26

 30 June  2026

Acts 6:1-15, NLT: When we are obedient and focused in following the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ, the growth of the Church is certain. Jesus commanded us to go in all the world and make disciples. We note disciples are not born but are made. We believers are born to a new birth through our faith in Jesus Christ, but we must become faithful disciples of the Lord. This requires being taught in the teachings of Christ and mentored in the faith by those servants whom our Lord has appointed. All growth brings about rewards ad challenges. It is discernment through the Holy Spirit that led the Church in giving its support to God’s will for meeting the needs of all believers. We grow through Spirit directed change, and in the unity of the Church in recognizing the value of meeting diverse needs. He early Christians in Jerusalem were challenges to think inclusively as their Gentile Christian members increased. The decision in Acts 6 to address the needs of the underserved was the first major shift in the Christian movement.

Verses & Explanations for Acts 6:1-15, NLT:

Observe Interpret Apply

(Verse 1): The joy and challenges of change:

¹ But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

(Verse 2): God’s wisdom in the delegation of ministry:

² So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.

(Verses 3-4): Delegating with discernment and purpose:

³ And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. ⁴ Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

(Verse 5): The Spirit’s lead in meeting the needs of all:

⁵ Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 

(Verse 6): All who serve are set apart for Christ’s work:

⁶ These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

(Verse 7): The unity of believers brings growth and vitality:

⁷ So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

(Verses 8-15): The rewards and challenges of faithfulness:

⁸ Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

⁹ But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.

¹⁰ None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. ¹¹ So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” ¹² This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. ¹³ The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” ¹⁵ At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105