The Spirit Reveals Jesus to Us
Month 9: The Road to Jerusalem · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 16:17 & 1 Corinthians 12:3
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. — Matthew 16:17
3 Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. — 1 Corinthians 12:3
Memory Verse
“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””— Matthew 16:16 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Jeremiah 51-52; Lamentations 1
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Jerusalem falls and Jeremiah weeps — yet even Lamentations holds onto God's mercies.)The Heart of It
When Peter said, "You are the Christ," Jesus told him exactly how he knew. "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Peter didn't reason his way there or guess lucky. God Himself lifted the veil so Peter could truly see who Jesus is. Today's second verse fills in the picture. "No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (). Anyone can repeat the words like a parrot. But to say them and mean them, with your heart truly bowed, is the work of the Holy Spirit inside you.
This is wonderfully freeing for a family. You don't have to be the smartest, the oldest, or the most religious to know Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the One who opens blind eyes and warms cold hearts to recognize the Savior. So what is our part? Our part is to ask. We invite the Spirit to make Jesus real and bright to us. And we keep our hearts soft and willing, not stubborn and closed. God doesn't force His way in. He knocks (), and He gives sight to those who will receive it. So when we read the Gospels, we can pray every time, "Holy Spirit, show me Jesus." That's a prayer He delights to answer, even for the youngest one at the table.
Around the Table
The Holy Spirit helps us know Jesus in our hearts. It's like turning on a light so we can see! We can ask Him to help us.
Let's do it: Turn off the lights, then turn them on. Say, "Holy Spirit, help me see Jesus!"
Peter knew Jesus was God's Son because God showed him. The Holy Spirit does the same for us when we read the Bible.
Let's talk: What's the difference between just saying "Jesus is Lord" and really meaning it?
No one truly confesses Jesus as Lord apart from the Spirit's work (). But God knocks and waits. He doesn't force the door.
Let's go deeper: If knowing Jesus is the Spirit's gift, what's our part? How do we keep our hearts open to Him?
💬 Conversation Starter
Have you ever suddenly understood something hard, and it felt like a light clicked on? That's a small picture of how the Holy Spirit helps us see Jesus.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some argue faith is just upbringing. They say you believe whatever you were raised with. But Scripture says real faith is the Spirit's work in a willing heart, not mere family habit. That's why people from every background, including former atheists, come to Christ. God gives sight to anyone who will receive it ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Here is where our Arminian, Spirit-filled convictions shine with hope. Yes, no one confesses Jesus as Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Knowing Christ is genuinely His gift, not our cleverness. But this revealing grace is offered to all, and it can be received or resisted. God knocks (); He does not break down the door. So you are spared two opposite errors. You needn't fall into a cold determinism that says your kids' faith is fixed regardless of your prayers and their response. And you needn't fall into a frantic salesmanship that thinks the outcome rests entirely on your eloquence. Your calling is to faithfully present Christ and earnestly ask the Spirit to open hearts. Then trust Him with the response He woos but never coerces. Walk in the Spirit yourself, dad. A father who is regularly asking "Holy Spirit, show me Jesus" raises children who learn to ask the same.
Draws on: Gordon Fee, God's Empowering Presence; Thomas Oden, The Transforming Power of Grace.
Let's Pray Together
"Holy Spirit, You are the One who shows us who Jesus is. Open the eyes of our hearts. Help us see Him clearly and love Him truly. We keep our hearts open to You today. In Jesus' name, amen."
I can't argue myself into knowing Jesus. But the Spirit loves to reveal Him to a willing heart.