WEEK 2 : Hope in a Dying World

Warm-Up Question: Has anyone ever given you something super special like a gift, an heirloom, or money set aside just for you? What made it so special?

Everything in this world eventually wears outs, breaks, or comes to an unexpected end. But the Bible says that because of King Jesus, we can have a hope that never runs out.

Here’s something important to remember… Being saved isn’t a one-time experience that happens and then you’re done in your relationship with Jesus. It’s also an ongoing journey! When we KNOW Jesus for the very first time (justification), God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us LIVE and LOVE like Jesus more and more throughout our entire lives (sanctification) until we see Him face to face in Heaven (glorification).

Peter knew this journey firsthand. Remember last week when Peter denied even knowing Jesus? After Jesus rose from the dead, He fully forgave Peter (in John 21) and gave him a job to do before Jesus traveled to Heaven.

Read Acts 1:4-5, 8-9

Before Peter could do anything big, Jesus told him and His other disciples to wait so that’s exactly what they did. They waited and prayed.

Read Acts 2:1-13

Question 1: What happens when the Holy Spirit shows up in this story?

Question 2: What do you imagine that moment felt like for Peter?

Read Acts 2:14-41

Here’s what’s even crazier… this is the same Peter who (50 days earlier) was too scared to even admit that he knew Jesus. Now he stands up in front of a HUGE crowd and gives a Spirit-led message about Jesus… and thousands of people hear it in their own language and believe!

Question 3: Where do you think Peter suddenly got the words and the courage to speak so boldly about King Jesus? 

The same Holy Spirit who turned scaredy-cat Peter into courageous Peter is available to every single person who knows Jesus regardless of their age. There is no such such thing as a Junior Varsity Holy Spirit for just children!

Question 4: Have you ever felt like the Holy Spirit was talking through you? What happened? How did you know it was Him?

Question 5: Do you feel brave talking to others about Jesus? What makes that easy or hard for you?

Read 1 Peter 1:3-12

According to this Bible passage, because of Jesus, we have a living hope that can NEVER get ruined, stolen, or rusted!

Question 6: Why do you think it matters that we let the Holy Spirit help us be courageous  like Peter?

Question 7: Look back at verse 12! Peter says the Good News was shared with power… whose power was it?

Family Prayer Time

Take turns naming people you know who don’t currently KNOW Jesus (neighbors, friends, classmates, teammates, family members, coworkers, etc.) Pray for them.

Holy Spirit, 

Thank You for giving us the words and power to talk about Jesus. Help our faith to grow so we can be brave like Peter was. We pray for the people we love who don’t know Jesus yet, especially (fill in the blank). Please soften their hearts, minds, and souls and give us the right words to say at the right time to share the living hope we have. Amen.