Discipleship: Boldness and Faithfulness of Stephen

📖 Introduction

Discipleship is a journey marked by commitment, growth, and sometimes, significant challenge. Among the early followers of Jesus, Stephen stands out as a powerful example of boldness and faithfulness. As one of the first deacons appointed in the early church, Stephen's life was dedicated to serving others and proclaiming the gospel with unwavering courage. His story is compelling because it challenges us to consider what it means truly to follow Christ, even when faced with opposition and sacrifice.

Stephen's boldness was not born out of recklessness but from a deep confidence in the Holy Spirit’s power working through him. When falsely accused and brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen's speech recounted God's mighty acts in history and the rejection of the prophets, culminating in his bold declaration that his accusers were resisting the Holy Spirit. His message was convicting, and though it led to his martyrdom, Stephen never wavered in his faith.

For modern discipleship, Stephen's example challenges us to live with courage, stand firm in our convictions, and be ready to testify about Christ regardless of the cost. His story reminds us that discipleship involves not only comfort and ministry but also sacrifice and witnessing to the truth in difficult circumstances. Over the next seven days, we will explore lessons from Stephen’s life, his bold proclamation, his martyrdom, and how these inspire us today to be faithful disciples who reflect Christ's love and courage in every aspect of our lives.