Have you ever noticed a need or a problem that was either too big for one person to solve or that had been going on for too long to believe that a solution would ever arise? Have you considered that you could make a contribution in the effort that would help lead towards healing and resolution? Consider this challenge that the early believers faced. As you read, think about how each person’s response trickles down and affects the outcome.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6:1-7

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Reflection

• What good things were happening in the population of disciples?
• What issue brought about the complaints of the Hellenistic Jews?
• Who finally heard their complaints?
• What might have happened if the leaders ignored these complaints?
• What might have happened if the leaders tried to take on more responsibility upon themselves?
• What did the leaders finally propose to the whole group?
• What can we infer about the character of the seven chosen?
• What was the result of the efforts of all the people?
• Why did the number of disciples grow at the beginning and end of this experience? Why does growth happen today?
• How should we handle complaints of inequity today?
• How do we protect ourselves against over-committing our time, energy, or resources today?
• How do we protect ourselves against uninvolvement?
• What messages does the demographic makeup of this group of believers hold for us today? Explain.
• What issues exist today that remind you of this incident?
• In light of this, how could God work through you regarding today’s challenges?