12 October | Teens
«And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”» Acts 7: 59
In the story of Stephen, found in Acts 7:1 to 60, we see an incredible example of faith and courage. Stephen was one of the first followers of Jesus to show his devotion in an extraordinary way: he was willing to die for his faith, becoming the first Christian martyr. Stephen defended his faith in Jesus with such courage that, even in the face of the anger and violence of the people around him, he continued to speak about love and the truths that Jesus had taught. His story is a powerful example of courage and total dedication to Jesus, showing that believing in Jesus is the most valuable treasure, even when we face enormous challenges.
As the people didn't like what he was saying about Jesus, they became very angry and decided to kill him. Even knowing this danger, Stephen persevered, showing how much he loved Jesus and how much he believed in Him. Stephen teaches us something very important: sometimes following Jesus can be difficult. It can mean that we have to be strong, even when people don't agree with us. But Stephen also shows us that, with Jesus by our side, we can have the courage to face anything, even the most frightening situations. Would you be willing to go that far for Jesus?
Take Action
To better understand the importance of Stephen and others who followed in his footsteps, do some research and create a list of the names and deeds of the most famous martyrs in the history of Christianity. This list will be an inspiring reminder that, throughout history, many people have been brave enough to live and even die for their faith in Jesus.