Bold Witness: Stephen's Example of Courage and Integrity

We walked back into Acts 6 and watched the shift from an internal crisis to external opposition. After the apostles helped the church appoint Spirit-filled servants to meet real needs, Stephen—one of those seven—steps forward “full of grace and power,” doing signs among the people and speaking with a wisdom his opponents couldn’t withstand. That mattered: Stephen wasn’t an apostle or elder; he was a servant. Yet he preached boldly, prayed for healing, and let the Spirit work through him. The Synagogue of the Freedmen couldn’t win the argument, so they manufactured charges, stirred the crowd, and dragged him before the Sanhedrin. Integrity forced them to lie, because his life left them no handle to grab.

From Stephen’s witness, two truths came into focus. First, the Christian life requires courage. That’s true when the stakes are martyrdom, and it’s true when the stakes are reputation, grades, or livelihoods. I shared modern stories—students, small business owners, a high school coach—who counted the cost and still confessed Christ publicly. Our cultural pressure isn’t the same as Nigeria or China, but it’s real enough to expose whether Jesus is worth our comfort. He is. Jesus warned us to carry a cross, even when that cross slices through family tensions. Courage isn’t brashness; it’s a steady will to honor Christ more than acceptance.

Second, the Christian life requires integrity. Stephen’s enemies had to lie because there wasn’t a double life to expose. That’s our call too: not perfection, but congruence—words and ways pointing in the same direction. The world is watching, and failures in high places shatter trust far beyond one person. So we drag darkness into the light before it drags us into ruin. In our house, that means accountability, immediate reporting of abuse—no “we’ll handle it internally”—and a culture where brothers and sisters can pull each other aside in love. Light is the best disinfectant.

Finally, the altar is open because Jesus first opened his arms. While we were sinners, he died for us. If you need to confess, come. If you need courage, come. If you need a Savior, call on him—believe in your heart, confess with your mouth, and be made new. The same Spirit who strengthened Stephen meets us now.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Courage is not optional for disciples Courage isn’t adrenaline or outrage; it’s a clear-eyed allegiance that prefers Jesus over safety, outcomes, or applause. It says the gospel is true even when it costs social standing or opportunity. Courage grows when we remember who holds our future and who already paid our debt. We obey, and we let God be in charge of the results. [13:24]
• 2. Servants still speak and heal boldly Stephen reminds us the Spirit’s power is not reserved for titles. Deacons, deaconesses, and everyday believers are called to pray, proclaim, and participate in God’s work beyond “official” tasks. The church flourishes when practical service and public witness run together in every member. Don’t wait for a platform; walk faithfully into your places. [06:34]
• 3. Integrity makes slander run out of rope When life and lips align, opponents eventually must misrepresent us to stop us. Integrity doesn’t prevent suffering, but it preserves clarity: we suffer for righteousness, not for duplicity. That clarity lets us bless our enemies and keep our witness when storms hit. It’s better to lose with a clean conscience than win with a split soul. [29:11]
• 4. Bring darkness into the light early Hidden sin multiplies harm—first in the heart, then in the house, and finally in the church. Grace doesn’t mean secrecy; it means honest confession, real accountability, and protection for the vulnerable. We report abuse, we guard the flock, and we practice the kind of transparency that keeps the gospel credible. Light heals what secrecy corrodes. [45:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:08] - Stephen: servant leader, bold witness
• [06:34] - Deacons aren’t silent helpers
• [10:04] - Opposition from the Synagogue of Freedmen
• [13:24] - The Christian life requires courage
• [19:43] - Modern cases: Samantha and Sweet Cakes
• [22:58] - Coach Joe Kennedy’s long fight
• [25:59] - Facing rising pressure with hope
• [29:11] - Courage and wisdom within family
• [32:35] - The Christian life requires integrity
• [39:20] - When public failures wound the church
• [42:47] - We report abuse—no exceptions
• [45:27] - Walking in the light together
• [48:39] - Gospel invitation and open altar

Bible Reading
- Acts 6:8–15

Observation questions
- In Acts 6:8–10, what specific words describe Stephen’s character and ministry, and what could his opponents “not withstand”?
- Who opposed Stephen (Acts 6:9), and what does that detail suggest about where the pushback came from?
- What exactly were the false charges made against Stephen (Acts 6:11–14), and how do those charges twist what Jesus actually taught about the temple and the law?
- From the modern examples shared (student, bakery owners, coach), what kinds of costs did believers face for public allegiance to Jesus? ([22:58])

Interpretation questions
- Why might Luke emphasize that Stephen was “full of grace and power” and that his wisdom couldn’t be resisted? What does this say about Spirit-empowered witness through everyday servants, not just apostles or elders? ([06:34])
- Jesus calls disciples to carry a cross even when it slices through family tensions. How is courage different from brashness, and what does “clear-eyed allegiance” look like in a real relationship? ([25:59])
- Stephen’s enemies had to lie because his life gave them no handle to grab. How does integrity narrow the options of opponents and clarify that any suffering is “for righteousness,” not hypocrisy? ([32:35])
- Why is dragging darkness into the light an act of love toward victims, the church, and even the sinner? What happens when churches try to “handle it internally” instead? ([42:47])

Application questions
- Courage in your world: Where might allegiance to Jesus cost you reputation, grades, or opportunity in the next month (classroom, workplace, team, online)? What would a courageous but non-brash step of obedience look like this week? ([25:59])
- Servants who speak and pray: You may not have a title, but you have a testimony. Where is one “Stephen space” in your weekly routine (home, job site, campus, neighborhood) where you can both serve practically and also speak or pray boldly? What’s one simple step you’ll take? ([06:34])
- Integrity audit: Is there any gap right now between your words and your ways (money, media, relationships, accountability)? What guardrail will you add (a person to ask hard questions, a filter, a shared calendar, financial transparency)? Who will you invite to help you walk in the light? ([45:27])
- When misrepresented: If someone twists your words or faith at school or work, what is one sentence you could prepare that explains your hope “with gentleness and respect”? Practice it now with the group. ([32:35])
- Non-negotiable safety: If you ever learn of abuse, what exact steps will you take? Who will you call first? How will you support our “report immediately—no internal handling” commitment? Make a plan so you’re not guessing under pressure. ([42:47])
- Family friction: Is there a hard conversation with a loved one about Jesus you’ve been avoiding? What would loving discernment look like—when to speak, when to listen, what tone to take? Name the person, the moment, and the first sentence you’ll use. ([29:11])
- Bring it into the light: Is there any hidden sin or secret struggle you need to confess to God and a trusted believer before it drags you into ruin? What is your next step before you leave tonight—ask for prayer, send a message, set a meeting? ([48:39])