Advent Lights · Week 4 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. Stephen
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
Seven helpers
After Jesus rose and went to heaven, the Church in blank 1 grew quickly. The apostles shared food each day with widows and others in need.
Then a problem came up. Some widows were being left out when the food was shared.
The apostles asked the blank 2 to choose seven trusted men to take care of this. Stephen was the first one named. The apostles prayed and laid their hands on the seven.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Deacon | Write your answer |
| Martyr | Write your answer |
| Apostles | Write your answer |
| Forgive | Write your answer |
Brave and forgiving
Stephen did more than share food. He spoke about Jesus with wisdom, and God worked wonders through him.
Some people argued with Stephen and accused him of things that were not true. He was brought before a council of leaders. He told them the long story of God’s people and spoke boldly about Jesus.
The crowd became furious. They took Stephen outside the city and killed him by throwing stones.
As he died, Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Quick check
Why were Stephen and six others chosen? Circle one.
- A To build a new temple
- B To write down the Gospels
- C To travel to far cities
- D To share food fairly
Stephen’s way online
Stephen told the truth and forgave. Sort each choice: is it Stephen’s way or not? Check one box for each.
| Item | Stephen’s way | Not Stephen’s way |
|---|---|---|
| Telling the truth even when friends disagree | ||
| Typing something mean back in a group chat | ||
| Forgiving a friend who left you out of a game | ||
| Sharing a rumor you are not sure is true | ||
| Praying for someone who was unkind to you | ||
| Staying mad for weeks and refusing to talk |
Quick check
What did Stephen pray as he was dying? Circle one.
- A That his friends would fight back
- B That God would forgive his attackers
- C That he could escape the city
- D That the council would be punished
Think, pair, share
Stephen forgave people while they were still hurting him. When someone is unkind to you, in person or in a game or chat, what makes forgiving hard? What could help?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “Forgiving is hard when ...”“One thing that helps me forgive is ...”“Instead of typing something mean back, I could ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Acts 7:60
Jesus, give us Stephen’s brave and gentle heart.
Help us to serve, to tell the truth and to forgive.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
The Church honors Stephen as her first martyr. His feast day is December 26, the day after Christmas.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: This week, forgive one person who annoyed or hurt you, and say a short prayer for that person.