Today I’m going to teach on the WHY regarding Stephen’s entire defense.

• Next Sunday I’ll teach on WHAT Stephen said - from 2-41.

Stephen goes all the way back to Abraham, the first Hebrew man, to start his “defense.”

• Note he doesn’t start with, “I’m not lying about Moses and God! I would never!”
  • So many of us, when we’re falsely accused, want to hit to the heart of the accusations right away and refute them.
  • Instead, Before speaking, Stephen has very likely received from the Spirit a few strategic things here:
    • 1) Read the Room
    • 2) Identify the Main Issue
    • 3) Affirm Common Ground
    • 4) Boldly Reveal the Main Issue
    • 5) Trust God for the Outcome