Family Devotional: The Great Power for God’s Mission

Based on Acts 1:1-8

OPENING PRAYER

Parent leads: “God, thank You for bringing our family together today. Help us understand how You give us power through Your Holy Spirit to tell others about Jesus. Open our hearts to learn from Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

READ TOGETHER

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Jesus told His disciples to wait for a special gift—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit isn’t an “it.” He’s a person, the third part of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit).

When we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. He gives us power, not like superhero power, but spiritual power to:

  • Tell others about Jesus
  • Love people who are different from us
  • Be brave when we’re scared
  • Change from the inside out

Jesus said we’d be His “witnesses.” A witness is someone who tells what they saw. We can tell others what Jesus has done in our lives—starting right where we are (like Jerusalem), then spreading out to our whole community, our country, and even the whole world!

DISCUSSION FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN

Question 1: “Who is the Holy Spirit?”

  • Parent guide: He’s God living inside us when we believe in Jesus. He helps us be brave and kind.

Question 2: “Can you think of someone you could tell about Jesus this week? Maybe a friend at school or a neighbor?”

  • Let them name someone specific

Question 3: “What’s one thing Jesus has done for you that makes you happy?”

  • Examples: He loves me, He forgives me, He’s always with me

DISCUSSION FOR OLDER CHILDREN

Question 1: “The sermon said the Holy Spirit gives us ‘explosive power’ (like dynamite!). What do you think that means? How is spiritual power different from physical power?”

  • Parent guide: Spiritual power changes hearts; only God can do that. We can’t force anyone to believe, but we can share the message.

Question 2: “Jesus said to be witnesses in Jerusalem (home), Judea (nearby), Samaria (people we don’t like), and the ends of the earth. Why do you think Jesus included Samaria—the people the disciples didn’t like?”

  • Parent guide: Jesus wants us to love everyone, even people who are different or who we struggle with.

Question 3: “What’s your story? How has Jesus changed your life or what do you know about Him?”

  • Help them practice telling their story in 2-3 sentences

DISCUSSION FOR TEENS

Question 1: “The disciples asked Jesus if He was going to restore Israel’s kingdom right then. Jesus redirected them to focus on the mission, not the timeline. How does this apply to us today when we get caught up in trying to figure out when Jesus is coming back?”

  • Parent guide: We should stay focused on the mission—telling others about Jesus—rather than obsessing over dates and times only God knows.

Question 2: “The sermon mentioned that ‘if there’s no desire to see lost people come to know Jesus, there won’t be a desire to reach them.’ Be honest—do you have that desire? Why or why not? How can we pray for God to change our hearts?”

  • This is a vulnerable question. Parents, be honest about your own struggles here too.

Question 3: “The story was shared about a man in a Muslim country who endured 600 lashes for following Jesus and never felt them because he kept his eyes on Jesus. What does that kind of faith look like? How does that challenge your own faith?”

  • Discuss persecution, the cost of following Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit

Question 4: “You have the Holy Spirit living in you. That means you have the power to be a witness for Jesus right now—at school, at work, with friends. What’s holding you back from sharing your faith?”

  • Talk through fears, insecurities, and practical ways to share

FAMILY ACTIVITY

Mapping Our Mission Field: Get a piece of paper and draw four circles, one inside the other (like a target):

  1. Center circle: Write your family’s names—this is your “Jerusalem”
  2. Second circle: Write your neighborhood, school, workplace—your immediate community
  3. Third circle: Write your city/state—your “Judea”
  4. Outer circle: Write “The World”—the nations

In each circle, write names of people or places where God might be calling your family to share Jesus. Pray together for each circle.

CLOSING PRAYER

“God, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit. Thank You that we have Your power living in us. Help us to be brave witnesses for Jesus—in our home, our community, and around the world. Change our hearts to love people the way You do. Show us who You want us to tell about Jesus this week. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”