Power to Be Witnesses
Month 4: Is Jesus Really God? · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Memory Verse
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”— 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Numbers 1-4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 116 of 365 — God organizes His people for the journey ahead.)The Heart of It
Right before Jesus returned to heaven, He gave His followers their mission. He also gave them the secret to carrying it out. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (). Notice the order. First comes power. Then comes witness. Jesus didn't tell His disciples to grit their teeth and try harder to be brave. He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Telling the world about the risen Jesus was never meant to be done in our own strength.
This is the heart of the Spirit-filled life. After we belong to Jesus, He longs to fill us with His Holy Spirit. That's the same Spirit who turned trembling disciples into fearless witnesses at Pentecost (). That power isn't for showing off. It's for the mission. It gives us courage to speak. It gives us words to say. It gives us love for the people who need to hear. And it's not just for famous preachers long ago. It's for your family, today. When you feel too shy or too small to tell someone about Jesus, you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He delights to give power to the willing.
Around the Table
Jesus gives His helpers special power from the Holy Spirit so they can be brave and tell others about Him!
Let's do it: Flex your arms like you're strong and say, "Holy Spirit, give me power to tell about Jesus!"
A witness tells what they know about Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage and the words to do it.
Let's talk: Where are your "Jerusalem," your "Judea," and your "ends of the earth"? And who could you be a witness to in each place?
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is real power. Jesus offers it to His people for the mission. He gives courage, words, and gifts to serve. And it's available to you.
Let's go deeper: Have you ever asked Jesus to fill you with His Spirit and make you a bolder witness? You can ask Him today.
💬 Conversation Starter
When have you felt too scared to say something important? What would it be like to have extra courage handed to you right when you needed it?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The biggest evidence that the disciples saw the risen Jesus is how they changed. Frightened men had been hiding behind locked doors. They became bold witnesses who faced prison and death. After the Spirit came, nothing could silence them. We share that same hope today, "with gentleness and respect" ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Classic Pentecostal teaching understands as the pattern for the whole church age. It is Spirit-empowered witness flowing out from changed lives. The baptism in the Spirit is not a badge of being super-spiritual. It is fuel for the mission of telling people about Jesus. It is available to every believer, your children included. But hear this plainly. The goal is always character over gifting. Any hype or self-promotion is off the table. A Spirit-filled home looks like Christlike love and courageous, gentle witness. It does not look like noise. And you cannot lead your family into Spirit-empowered mission you are not living yourself. Ask the Father to fill you afresh. Then lead from there.
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Empowered for Witness.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Give us power to be witnesses for Jesus. Help us share Him at home, in our town, and everywhere we go. Make us bold and kind. In Jesus' name, amen."
I'm not meant to witness in my own strength. The Holy Spirit gives me power.