The KJV Commentary International Sunday school Lesson Outline

August 6

Lesson 10 (KJV)

Called to Witness

Devotional Reading: Acts 2:14–28

Background Scripture: Acts 1, 6, 7

Acts 6:1–8

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Photo: Aquir / iStock / Thinkstock

Key Verse

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

—Acts 6:3

God’s Urgent Call

Unit 3: Calls in the New Testament

Lessons 10–13

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize how the Twelve addressed the issue of food distribution in terms of ministry priorities.

2. Diagram a problem-solving approach for churches desiring to use the principles found in this account.

3. Make a plan to recruit, train, and commission new workers for ministries in his or her church.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Waiting On … What?

B. Lesson Background

I. Growing Pain (Acts 6:1–4)

A. The Thorny Problem (v. 1)

B. The Wrong Solution (v. 2)

C. The Right Solution (vv. 3, 4)

II. Pleasing Consensus (Acts 6:5, 6)

A. The Candidates (v. 5)

Delegating as Trust

B. The Consecration (v. 6)

III. Marvelous Result (Acts 6:7, 8)

A. The Multiplication (v. 7)

It’s Always Something

B. The Miracles (v. 8)

Conclusion

A. Needed: A Culture of Change

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Antioch	An-tee-ock.
apostolic	ap-uh-stahl-ick.
Aramaic	Air-uh-may-ik.
Barnabas	Bar-nuh-bus.
Cyprus	Sigh-prus.
diakonos (Greek)	dee-ah-ko-nawss.
Gentiles	Jen-tiles.
Grecians	Gree-shunz.
Hebrews	Hee-brews.
Nicanor	Nye-cay-nor.
Nicolas	Nick-uh-lus.
Parmenas	Par-meh-nas.
Pentecost	Pent-ih-kost.
Prochorus	Prock-uh-rus.
proselyte	prahss-uh-light.
Sadducees	Sad-you-seez.
synagogue	sin-uh-gog.
Tarsus	Tar-sus.
Timon	Ty-mon.

What Do You Think? How should we handle negative information that comes “through the grapevine”? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ At church ■ At work or school ■ In the home What Do You Think? What are some ways for church leaders to keep a volatile issue from becoming more so? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering the nature of the issue ■ Regarding initial reaction to a complaint ■ Regarding how perceptions are managed ■ Regarding response to misinformation ■ Regarding the role of prayer ■ Other What Do You Think? How do we know how many people should be appointed to a given ministry task? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering “many hands make light work” ■ Considering “too many cooks spoil the broth” ■ Considering, if relevant, Exodus 18:21; Joshua 4:4–7; Ezra 8:24; Nehemiah 11:1; Mark 3:14; Luke 10:1; Acts 1:21–26; 15:2; 2 Corinthians 8:18–21; Titus 1:5 What Do You Think? When is it better to ask select individuals privately to serve rather than putting an appeal for volunteers in the church newsletter? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering the spiritual giftedness needed ■ Considering the confidentiality required ■ Considering the nature of the task in terms of visibility, etc. ■ Other What Do You Think? In what instances should appointment to a task be public rather than private, if any? How about the reverse? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering the nature of the task itself ■ Considering the personality traits of the individuals appointed ■ Considering the visibility desired for the congregation as a whole ■ Other  Krause, Mark S. et al. “Called to Witness.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2016–2017. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson, Jim Eichenberger, and Margaret K. Williams. Vol. 64. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2017. 422. Print.