Key Ideas
Faith Fact
I will keep growing closer to God.
Faith Verse
Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)
Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm.
Question of the Day: How does the good news about Jesus, the gospel, keep spreading?
Read about It
Read: Acts 4:1–4
Being full of the Holy Spirit made Peter and John bold to share about Jesus. They had already seen signs, wonders, and miracles. Many people had already come to faith and believed in Jesus because of the disciples sharing about Him. Because Peter and John had been with Jesus, they wanted to tell everybody about Jesus rising from the dead. But talk about Jesus being raised from the dead made the priests, Sadducees, and captain of the temple guard angry. They didn’t believe that Jesus was alive again. So, they arrested Peter and John.
But did this stop the message of Jesus from spreading? No! The number of people who believed because of the disciples’ preaching grew by thousands. The Jewish leaders couldn’t stop the good news from spreading. Because Peter and John took a stand and preached the gospel, their words went further than they could imagine.
The gospel message has spread for about two thousand years because people have taken a stand and told others about Jesus. Many have tried to stop the message from spreading. But, the number of people who believe in and follow Jesus just keeps on growing. When we take a stand and declare that we believe in Jesus, others get to hear about Jesus and accept Him as their Savior. Remember, it isn’t about us or the words we say. When we take a stand, the Holy Spirit works in those who hear the good news. God draws people near to Him. All we need to do is share the good news and live obediently to Jesus.
Talk about It
Question 1. How many men in total believed the message of Jesus in the verses we read?
Answer 1. About five thousand (Acts 4:4)
Question 2. Why do you think people try to stop the gospel from being shared?
Answer 2. Answers will vary.
Question 3. What happens when we tell others the good news about Jesus?
Answer 3. Answers will vary.
Question 4. What caused the Jewish leaders to arrest Peter and John?
Answer 4. It bothered the leaders that Peter and John were teaching that Jesus made a way for us to be resurrected from the dead. (Acts 4:2–3)
Questions 5. How does the good news about Jesus, the gospel, keep spreading?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Pray about It
Dear Jesus, thank You for Your Holy Spirit that works in the minds and hearts of everyone who hears the gospel. I know that when I stand up for You, God can do miraculous things. Help me to be obedient and faithful to stand for You. Amen.