Software Suggestion and Discussion Questions for the Stoning of Stephen Story
Life of Christ CD's Lesson #37 (Acts 8:1-4, 9:1-31) covers the story of Pentecost, the selection of Stephen and his stoning, plus the conversion of Saul to Paul.
It asks: Would you still follow Jesus if you could be arrested for being a Christian?
Some additional discussion questions:
- Was Saul willingly or unwillingly holding the murderer's coats?
- Did the fact that Saul didn't throw a stone make him "less" guilty than the men who did throw stones?
- What could Saul have done to change the men's minds? What were the alternatives?
- Jesus stopped the stoning of the woman caught in adultery. What did he say that made them stop? See John 8:1-11.
The saying "holding their coats" comes from this story. It describes someone who "goes along" and doesn't intervene when they see someone being hurt, abused, bullied, or persecuted. It can describe a person who was there during a violent act, but didn't commit the violence. "He was there holding their coats as the men beat up the individual." It can also describe someone who was there, knew it was wrong, and did nothing, and thus, must share the blame. "You may not have joined in the bullying, but you were holding their coats."
- What kinds of situations have you been part of where someone was hurt? What did you do? What could you have done?
- How can you NOT "hold other people's coats?" i.e. NOT go along with the crowd who is hurting someone?
- If it is YOU who are the one about to be hurt, and you see someone there who is "going along with the crowd," what could you say to them to get them to speak up for you, protect you?
- If you have been hurt, either emotionally or physically, what are your options? What can you do? Who should you talk to?
