Read through the passages - Acts 6:1-7
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. - (Acts 6:1-7 ESV)
Think Through the Text
- The Hellenists were Jewish-background Christian widows who only spoke Greek. The other widows only spoke Hebrew. Apparently, the Hellenists were not being treated the same as the Hebrew speaking widows. How did the church leaders address the problem?
- Based on verses 1-4 what is the new job description for the twelve? What is the job description for these seven men being chosen?
- What ends up happening based on this conflict inside the church? How does God use it in verses 5-7?
Write it Out
Capture, chart, outline your thoughts - whatever works best for you: