wk_1_-_Bold_in_Witness.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: Boldness Springs from Deep Conviction in Christ

True boldness in faith is not about having a loud personality or being naturally outgoing. It is the overflow of a heart that is deeply convinced of the reality and hope found in Jesus’ resurrection. When the truth of Christ’s victory over death settles into the core of who we are, it changes what we value and how we speak. We find ourselves unable to keep quiet about the hope we have, because it has become the most important thing in our lives.

If your faith feels timid or hidden, it may be a sign to let the truth of Jesus’ resurrection sink deeper. Boldness grows as we remember what Christ has done and who He is. The more we believe in the power of His resurrection, the more naturally we will speak about Him, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky.

“But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one truth about Jesus that you believe deeply? How can you let that truth shape your conversations with others today?

Day 2: Faith Is a Calling, Not a Commodity

It’s easy to approach faith with a consumer mindset, expecting God to meet our needs or fix our problems. But Jesus calls us to something far greater: to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This means shifting our focus from “What do I want?” to “What does God want?” and letting His desires shape our lives.

When we see faith as a calling, we stop measuring it by what we get out of it and start asking how we can serve God and others. This selfless approach to faith is the foundation for a life that can withstand disappointment and challenge. It’s not about what we can consume, but about how we can be transformed and used for God’s purposes.

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’” (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to approach God with a “what’s in it for me?” attitude? How can you shift your focus to ask, “God, what do You want from me today?”

Day 3: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes

Peter and John were ordinary, unschooled men, yet their courage and boldness astonished the religious leaders. What set them apart was not their education or social status, but the fact that they had been with Jesus. God delights in using regular people who spend time with Him to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom.

You don’t have to be a spiritual giant or have all the answers to make an impact for Christ. God is looking for people who are willing to be with Him, listen to His voice, and step out in faith. When you spend time with Jesus, He equips you to do things you never thought possible, and your life becomes a testimony to His power.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally spend time with Jesus this week? How might God use your ordinary life for His extraordinary purposes?

Day 4: Jesus’ Presence Transforms Our Fears

The disciples were once paralyzed by fear, hiding behind locked doors after Jesus’ death. But everything changed when the risen Jesus appeared to them. His presence turned their fear into boldness, and they became courageous witnesses to the world. In the same way, our fears—whether of rejection, inadequacy, or failure—lose their grip when we remember that Jesus is with us.

When we encounter Jesus and trust in His presence, we find the courage to step out in faith. He promises to be with us always, empowering us to be His witnesses. No matter what you’re facing, you are not alone—Jesus is with you, and His presence is greater than your fears.

“And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.” (Luke 24:40-43, ESV)

Reflection: What fear is holding you back from being a bold witness for Jesus? How can you invite His presence into that fear today?

Day 5: Boldness Grows Through Prayer and Practice

Boldness is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a gift that God gives as we seek Him. The early believers prayed for courage, and God answered by filling them with His Spirit and giving them opportunities to share their faith. As we spend more time with Jesus and ask Him for boldness, He will open doors for us to be His witnesses.

Even when we miss opportunities or feel like we’ve failed, God’s grace invites us to keep growing. Every small act of faithfulness matters, and God can use even our imperfect efforts for His glory. Boldness grows as we pray, practice, and trust that God is at work through us.

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can pray for boldness today? Is there a conversation or action you sense God prompting you to take this week?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

Today’s message, “Bold in Witness,” launches our new series, “Selfless.” In a world that constantly urges us to focus on ourselves, Jesus calls us to a radically different way of living—one that puts others first and seeks God’s will above our own. We explored how our faith is not a product to consume, but a calling to live out, even when it’s uncomfortable. Looking at Acts 4, we saw how the resurrection of Jesus transformed fearful disciples into bold witnesses, and how ordinary people—like Peter and John—became extraordinary because they had been with Jesus. The challenge for us is to move from a self-centered faith to a selfless, bold witness, fueled by deep belief and time spent with Christ. We were encouraged to evaluate our own boldness, spend more time with Jesus, and pray for courage to share our faith, remembering that eternity is at stake.

**K

Key Takeaways

1. Boldness Flows from Deep Conviction We naturally speak boldly about what we believe deeply. If our faith feels timid or hidden, it may be a sign that we need to let the reality of Jesus’ resurrection sink deeper into our hearts. True boldness isn’t about personality or confidence—it’s about being so convinced of the hope we have in Christ that we can’t help but share it.
2. Faith Is Not a Product to Consume Many approach church and faith with a consumer mindset, expecting God to meet their personal needs or fix their problems. But Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him, shifting our focus from “What do I want?” to “What does God want?” This shift is the foundation of a selfless life and a faith that can withstand disappointment and challenge.
3. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men, yet their courage astonished the religious leaders. What set them apart was not their education or status, but the fact that they had been with Jesus. God delights in using regular people who spend time with Him to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom.
4. Fear Is Transformed by the Presence of Jesus The disciples hid in fear until the risen Jesus appeared to them. His presence turned their fear into boldness. In the same way, our fears—of rejection, inadequacy, or failure—lose their power when we encounter Jesus and remember that He is with us, empowering us to be His witnesses.
5. Boldness Grows Through Prayer and Practice Boldness isn’t something we muster up on our own; it’s a gift we can ask God for. As we spend more time with Jesus and pray for courage, He will give us opportunities to share our faith. Even when we miss those opportunities, God’s grace invites us to keep growing, trusting that our small acts of witness can have eternal significance.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Bold in Witness**
_Series: Selfless, Week 1_

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### Bible Reading

- **Acts 4:8-13, 29**
- **John 20:19-21**

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### Observation Questions

In Acts 4:8-13, what stands out about Peter and John’s background and how the religious leaders respond to them?
According to John 20:19, what were the disciples doing after Jesus’ death, and why?
What specific change do we see in the disciples before and after encountering the risen Jesus?
In Acts 4:29, what do the believers pray for in the face of threats?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does the presence of Jesus have such a dramatic effect on the disciples’ fear and boldness?
The religious leaders were surprised by Peter and John’s courage because they were “unschooled, ordinary men.” What does this suggest about who God can use to make an impact?
The sermon says, “We speak boldly about what we believe deeply.” What does this reveal about the connection between conviction and witness?
How does shifting from a consumer mindset (“What do I want?”) to a selfless mindset (“What does God want?”) change the way someone lives out their faith?

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### Application Questions

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being Jesus-level boldness), where would you honestly rate your own boldness in sharing your faith? What holds you back from being bolder?
The sermon challenged us to spend more time with Jesus to grow in boldness. What is one practical way you could increase your time with Jesus this week (for example, through prayer, reading, or worship)?
Think of a recent situation where you had an opportunity to talk about your faith but didn’t. What kept you from speaking up? How could you respond differently next time?
The disciples prayed for boldness instead of safety or comfort. What would it look like for you to pray for boldness in your own life? Is there a specific area or relationship where you need more courage?
The message said that faith is not a product to consume, but a calling to live out. In what ways have you approached faith as a consumer? How can you shift your focus to what God wants?
Peter and John were “ordinary” people who made an extraordinary impact because they had been with Jesus. What is one “ordinary” thing you could do this week to make a difference for God’s kingdom?
The sermon reminded us that eternity is at stake. Who is one person in your life who doesn’t know Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to pray for them or share your faith with them?

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Sermon Quotes

In a culture that constantly tells us to get more, be more, and want more, Jesus invites us to live a different way—one that puts others first, gives generously, and serves humbly.

We speak boldly about what we believe deeply. When you’re excited about something, you can’t help but share it. Why should our faith be any different?

Faith isn’t a product to consume or a self-improvement program. It’s about doing God’s will and wanting what God wants more than what we want.

The resurrection turns fear into boldness. The disciples went from hiding behind locked doors to boldly proclaiming Jesus, all because the resurrection changed everything.

Sometimes we feel like, “Who am I to talk about Jesus?” But what set the disciples apart wasn’t their education or status—it was that they had been with Jesus.

Boldness is fueled by the reality that eternal life is found only in Jesus. Eternity is on the line, and that’s why we share our faith.

Are people amazed by your faith in Jesus? On a scale of 1 to 10, where are you? Hiding your faith, inviting people, praying for them, or having real conversations about how Jesus changed your life?

I don’t share my faith just because I’m a pastor—I do it because eternity matters. Sometimes I let fear of rejection win, but I keep trying because people matter to God.

If you want to grow in boldness, spend more time with Jesus. The disciples were ordinary people, but others noticed they had been with Him.

What are we really afraid of—being rejected, or watching people we love spend eternity apart from Jesus?

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