The Spirit Gives Bold, Kind Words
Month 5: What About Other Religions? · 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
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”— John 14:6 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Numbers 31-33
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Israel journeys stage by stage toward the Promised Land — God remembers every step of the way.)The Heart of It
Maybe you've thought something like this. "I could never talk about Jesus to someone who believes differently. I'd freeze up. I wouldn't know what to say." Here's good news. God never expected you to do it on your own strength. Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me" (). The disciples were ordinary, nervous people too. Then the Holy Spirit filled them. And fishermen and tax collectors spoke up boldly in front of huge crowds and powerful leaders. The same Helper who filled them is given to everyone who belongs to Jesus. And you can ask the Father to fill you with His Spirit ().
But notice what kind of words the Spirit gives. He doesn't make you loud or rude or pushy. The fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness" (). So when the Spirit gives you boldness, it comes wrapped in kindness. You'll be confident and gentle, exactly like Jesus. You don't have to memorize a perfect speech. You just have to be willing. Then the Spirit supplies courage when you need it. Sometimes He even gives the very words to say (). That's the secret of the Spirit-filled life. It's not gritting your teeth and forcing yourself to be brave. It's being filled and carried by God Himself, who turns timid kids into joyful witnesses.
Around the Table
The Holy Spirit helps you be brave AND kind when you talk about Jesus — you don't have to do it alone!
Let's do it: Hand on your heart: "Holy Spirit, give me brave, kind words about Jesus!"
The Spirit gives boldness, but it always comes with kindness. Why do we need both to be good witnesses?
Let's talk: When have you felt too shy to mention Jesus? How could the Spirit help next time?
Jesus ties the Spirit's power directly to witness. The Spirit fills us for a reason — to tell others about Jesus. And you can always ask to be filled afresh.
Let's go deeper: What's the difference between being bold in the Spirit and just being loud or argumentative?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something you were scared to do until you had a little help? Then it wasn't so scary, was it? How is the Holy Spirit like that help?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
You don't need every answer memorized to be a witness. You need the Spirit's help and a willing heart. When you don't know what to say, it's okay to say, "Great question. Let me find out." Then come back later. Confidence comes from God, and we share it "with gentleness and respect" ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Classic Pentecostal teaching reads as the charter for the whole church age. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is empowerment for witness, available to every believer including your children. But the goal is never spectacle. Robert Menzies notes that Luke ties the Spirit's filling consistently to bold proclamation, not to showy displays. And the fruit of that same Spirit is gentleness. So the Spirit-filled home produces kids who are both courageous and Christlike, never combative. Here's the searching part. Your kids will only believe the Spirit gives bold, kind words if they watch you depend on Him. Are you witnessing in your own willpower, or are you asking to be filled? Lead from dependence.
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Empowered for Witness.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Give us bold, kind words about Jesus, and the courage to speak when You open the door. Make us witnesses who are confident and gentle, just like You. In Jesus' name, amen."
I don't have to be brave on my own. The Spirit gives me bold and kind words to share Jesus.