Ages 7+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated August 16, 2026
communitycouragesharing faithmiracles
Stephen the First Martyr
Series: Early Church (Episode 04 of 10) | Scripture: Acts | Ages 7+
Stephen the First Martyr is a Bible story from Acts in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.
What Is the Story of Stephen the First Martyr for Kids?
THE EARLY CHURCH — EPISODE 4: STEPHEN THE FIRST MARTYR Based on Acts 6:8-7:60 Series: The Early Church | Episode 4 of 5 Target audience: Kids ages 7-15
I need to tell you about one of the bravest people who ever lived. His name was Stephen. And his story will wreck you — in the best possible way.
Stephen wasn't one of the twelve apostles. He was chosen to serve the church — making sure widows got food. A behind-the-scenes guy. But he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and God did extraordinary miracles through him.
Religious leaders argued with Stephen but couldn't win — his wisdom was too sharp. So they did what people do when they can't beat the truth: they lied. They paid false witnesses to say Stephen spoke against God and Moses.
This story comes from Acts and is part of the New Testament.
What Does the Story of Stephen the First Martyr Teach Children?
The story of Stephen the First Martyr teaches children important lessons about community, courage, sharing faith, miracles:
This story teaches children about community in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world
Key Bible Verse
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them." — Acts 7:60
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
What was Stephen's original role in the early church?
He was chosen to help serve — making sure widows received food.
Why did the religious leaders bring false witnesses against Stephen?
Because they couldn't defeat his wisdom in argument.
What did Stephen's face look like when he stood before the council?
Like the face of an angel.
What did Stephen see when he looked up toward heaven?
Heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
What were Stephen's last words?
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them".
Who was the young man watching and approving of Stephen's death?
Saul. The witnesses laid their coats at his feet (Acts 7:58) -- the same Saul who would later meet Jesus and become the apostle Paul.
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of Stephen the First Martyr?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like Stephen in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?
More Episodes in the Early Church Series
This story is episode 04 of 10 in the Early Church series:
Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 7+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.
What is the story of Stephen the First Martyr about for kids?
Stephen the First Martyr is a story from Acts. THE EARLY CHURCH — EPISODE 4: STEPHEN THE FIRST MARTYR Based on Acts 6:8-7:60 Series: The Early Church | Episode 4 of 5 Target audience: Kids ages 7-15
What age is the story of Stephen the First Martyr appropriate for?
This retelling of Stephen the First Martyr is designed for children Ages 7+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.
Where is Stephen the First Martyr found in the Bible?
Stephen the First Martyr is found in Acts in the New Testament. It is part of the Early Church series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of Stephen the First Martyr for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of Stephen the First Martyr designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use Stephen the First Martyr for Sunday School or homeschool?
Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.
What does Stephen the First Martyr teach kids?
The story of Stephen the First Martyr teaches children about community, courage, sharing faith, miracles. This story teaches children about community in a way they can understand.
🌙 Free: The Bedtime Bible Kit
Seven nights of five-minute stories — a story, a prayer, and one question to whisper about.
Free printable + a few helpful emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
