Big Idea: In the face of fear, we need the Spirit to provide boldness.

            Acts 3:15; 4:1-4

If you follow Jesus boldly, persecution is a promise.

            John 15:20-21

            Acts 4:5-7, 8-12

Boldness requires acknowledgement that Jesus is our ultimate authority.

            Mark 13:9-11

            Acts 4:13, 19-20, 29-31

• If you want boldness, pray for boldness.

• Boldness is not:

• • self-righteousness or arrogance.
  • self-confidence.
  • being a keyboard warrior.
  • seeking to prove you are right.
  • seeking to win a fight.
  • being a jerk for Jesus.

• Boldness is living out loud for Jesus when it may cost you.

Message Questions

We are continuing our study in the book of Acts, which is the story of the Holy Spirit igniting the Jesus movement through faithful obedience of a few humble people. We continue that same story today, and the Holy Spirit will use the teachings of Acts to inspire you to do the same thing the earliest followers of Jesus did when they first understood the magnitude of what God has done through Christ: to GO. This Sunday, the big idea is: In the face of fear, we need the Spirit to provide boldness. Our passage is Acts 4:1-31.

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. Read Acts 4:1-4. What were Peter and John doing that caused the Sadducees to be angry? How did the Sadducees respond to the disciples’ behavior? Read John 15:20-21. What can we learn about persecution from this text?
2. Have someone read Acts 4:5-12. What did the high-priestly family ask Peter and John? How did Peter and John respond?
3. Have someone read Acts 4:13. How are Peter and John described? Who in your life do you recognize has been with Jesus? What qualities does this person have or what practices do they put in their life to be with Jesus? Read Acts 4:19-20. Summarize Peter and John’s response in your own words.
4. Have someone read Acts 4:29-31. Pastor Curtis shared that in the face of fear, we need the Spirit to provide boldness. Share a time in your life when you experienced Spirit-filled boldness. How did this experience cause you to grow in your relationship with Jesus?
5. Pastor Curtis encouraged us this weekend to pray for boldness. What bold step is the Spirit prompting you to take this week? Who in your relational world can you go to this week with boldness? Spend time as a group praying for the people God has called you to.