Follow Me, the Spirit Leads
Month 12: Risen & Sending · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 21:18-22
18 Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.” 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
Memory Verse
“Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”— John 21:17 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 2 Peter 2-3; 1 John 1
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Near Day 356 of 365 — "If we walk in the light as He is in the light...")The Heart of It
Right after restoring Peter, Jesus tells him something hard. A day will come when Peter will stretch out his hands and be led where he does not want to go. John explains that this pointed to the kind of death Peter would die. And even at the end, by that death, Peter would glorify God. Then Jesus says the two simplest, most life-shaping words a person can hear. "Follow Me." Following Jesus is not a promise of an easy road. It's a promise of His presence on whatever road He calls us down. Jesus tells Peter plainly that the cost will be real. And Peter is still invited. Still wanted. Still sent.
But here's the good news that ties the whole month together. Jesus does not send His friends out in their own strength. He had already breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (). And He would soon tell them to wait for the Spirit's power before going anywhere (). Following Jesus. Feeding His sheep. Even facing a hard end. None of it is done by willpower. The same Spirit who turned trembling Peter into a fearless preacher at Pentecost is given to everyone who belongs to Jesus. That includes your children. To "walk in the Spirit" doesn't mean we grit our teeth and follow. It means we lean on the Helper inside us and let Him lead, one obedient step at a time.
Around the Table
Jesus told Peter, "Follow Me!" And the Holy Spirit helps us follow Jesus, even when it's hard.
Let's do it: Play "Follow the Leader" — and then say, "Holy Spirit, help me follow Jesus!"
Jesus warned Peter that following Him wouldn't always be easy. But Jesus would never leave him alone.
Let's talk: What's something hard you've had to do? Who helped you keep going?
Jesus tells Peter how he'll die, and then He still says, "Follow Me." Following Jesus isn't a promise of comfort. It's a promise of His presence and His Spirit's power.
Let's go deeper: Have you ever asked Jesus to fill you with His Holy Spirit, so you can follow Him with His power and not just your own? You can today.
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something you can do now that used to feel too hard? Who or what helped you grow into it?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Jesus said Peter would die for his faith, decades before it happened. And history records that Peter did die for his faith. So think about two things. A prophecy that really came true. And a man who willingly died for what he saw with his own eyes. Both point to a Jesus who is exactly who He claimed to be.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Classic Pentecostal teaching holds that there is a real empowering of the Spirit for mission. It is distinct from salvation, and it follows salvation. This is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. And it's available to every believer who asks (; ). But notice the order in . Love, restoration, and following all come before power. The Spirit's filling is never a trophy for the gifted. It's not a shortcut around character. It's fuel for the obedient. Robert Menzies argues that for Luke, the Spirit is supremely the Spirit of prophetic witness. It is power for mission, not power for show. So as you long for your children to be filled with the Spirit, keep the aim clear. The goal isn't impressive experiences. The goal is bold, loving, Christlike witnesses who can follow Jesus down roads they wouldn't choose. And ask yourself honestly. Are you walking in His power, or just in your own resolve?
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Empowered for Witness; with Sam Storms, "character is always more important than gifting."
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, we hear You say, 'Follow Me,' and we want to. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Help us follow You with Your power, and not just our own strength. Lead us, step by step, wherever You go. In Jesus' name, amen."
"Follow Me" isn't a promise of an easy road. It's the promise of His presence and His Spirit's power on every road.