Volume 3 · Day 250 of 365

Peter's Bold Sermon Proves It

Q: Someone might say, "The disciples just made it all up." You can gently answer. "If they invented it, why would every one of them keep telling it even when it cost them prison and their lives?

People will die for what they sincerely believe is true. But no one knowingly dies for a lie they cooked up. Peter went from denying Jesus out of fear to preaching Him in front of thousands. Something changed him, and he said it was the risen Jesus and His Spirit." Say it the way 1 Peter 3:15 teaches. Give reasons, but speak "with gentleness and respect," as a friend, not an opponent.

Month 9: The Spirit's Power for Witness · Why We Believe

⏱ ≈ 14 min together

Today's Scripture

Read together: Acts 2:14–21

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Memory Verse

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”— Acts 2:4 (BSB)

📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)

Today's reading: Psalms 85–87

Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Psalm 85 prays "revive us again" — and Pentecost is revival arriving.)

The Heart of It

When the crowd heard the disciples speaking in all those languages, some sneered and said they must be drunk. Then Peter stood up in front of thousands and preached. Remember Peter. Just weeks earlier, he had been so afraid that he denied even knowing Jesus. But now he didn't mumble. He explained from the Scriptures that this was the prophet Joel's promise coming true: "I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh" (). The change in Peter is one of the strongest clues in all of history that something real happened.

Think it through. What could turn a terrified man into a fearless preacher? Peter had once hidden from a servant girl. Now he was willing to face an angry crowd, and later prison and death, for the same Jesus. It wasn't a clever story. It wasn't wishful thinking. Peter had seen the risen Jesus, and now he was filled with the Spirit Jesus promised. Changed lives are evidence. Ordinary, frightened people suddenly became bold for the truth, and they never took it back even under threat. The most reasonable explanation is the one Peter gave. Jesus is alive, and His Spirit has come.

Around the Table

Littles 5–8

Peter used to be scared, but God's Spirit made him brave to talk about Jesus to a HUGE crowd!

Let's do it: Make your scared face, then your brave face — that's what the Holy Spirit did for Peter.

Middles 9–11

Peter went from hiding to preaching in front of thousands. What do you think made the difference?

Let's talk: When is it hardest for you to be brave about being a Christian — and who could help you?

Older 12–15

The disciples' transformation is real evidence: scared deniers became bold witnesses who suffered for their message. People don't suffer and die for something they know is fake.

Let's go deeper: If you had to give one reason you believe the resurrection really happened, what would it be — and how would you say it kindly?

💬 Conversation Starter

Have you ever surprised yourself by being braver than you thought you could be? Where do you think that courage came from?

🛡️ Defending the Faith

Someone might say, "The disciples just made it all up." You can gently answer. "If they invented it, why would every one of them keep telling it even when it cost them prison and their lives? People will die for what they sincerely believe is true. But no one knowingly dies for a lie they cooked up. Peter went from denying Jesus out of fear to preaching Him in front of thousands. Something changed him, and he said it was the risen Jesus and His Spirit." Say it the way teaches. Give reasons, but speak "with gentleness and respect," as a friend, not an opponent.

For Dad · Go Deeper

Cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace points to the disciples' willingness to suffer as powerful evidence. They were in a position to know whether the resurrection was true. They had every earthly reason to recant under pressure, yet they didn't. That is not how liars behave. Help your kids see the difference between two kinds of dying. One is dying for a belief you hope is true, which is common in every religion. The other is dying for a fact you witnessed, the empty tomb and the risen Lord, when recanting would save your life. The Spirit who emboldened Peter is the same Spirit available to your family. Pray for that boldness over your children by name tonight.

Draws on: J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Christianity.

Let's Pray Together

"Father, thank You that Your Spirit turned scared Peter into a bold witness. You can do the same in us. Give our family courage to speak about Jesus. Help us speak kindly and clearly, even when it's hard. In Jesus' name, amen."

Carry It With You

Changed lives are evidence. The Spirit made cowards into courageous witnesses for the risen Jesus.