Day 1
Faith Fact
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
Is it hard for you to share your faith with others?
Read:
Acts 1:1–11
Think about a time when you felt like you were the only one doing something or you stood out. How did that make you feel? (Allow everyone to answer.) Some people actually like standing out and doing things that no one else is doing, but most people are uncomfortable with it. It can be hard to be the only one doing something. It’s hard to feel like you stand out and everyone is watching you.
That’s why it can be really hard for us to tell others about Jesus and share about our faith. It can make us feel alone when we stand up for what we believe in. It is usually easier to just blend in with the crowd than it is to stand out. If those around you are Christians, it’s pretty easy to stand up for what you believe in. But what about when most of the people around you aren’t Christians?
How do you act around people who aren’t Christians? Are you willing to share your faith with them even if they laugh at you or make fun of you?
One of the things God gives us when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit is power to witness. That means that when we feel weak and like we can’t do it, we can ask God the Holy Spirit to help us. He can give us the power and the courage to tell others about Jesus.
Think about it:
Question 1. After Jesus walked and talked with His apostles for forty days following His resurrection, what happened to Him?
Answer 1. He was taken up and a cloud hid Him from their sight. (Acts 1:1–9)
Question 2. How did Jesus say His baptism would be different from John’s?
Answer 2. “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)
Question 3. How long did Jesus walk and talk with His disciples after His resurrection?
Answer 3. Forty days (Acts 1:1–3)
Question 4. When did Jesus say the disciples would receive power?
Answer 4. When the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8)
Question 5. Where did Jesus go when He disappeared into the clouds?
Answer 5. Heaven (Acts 1:11)
Talk about It:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Is it easy or hard for you to tell others about Jesus? Why?
•What would make talking to others about Jesus easier?
Pray about it:
Jesus, thank You for forgiving me when I afraid to talk about You with others. Help me to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness for You. Amen.
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
Is it hard for you to share your faith with others?
Read:
Acts 1:1–11
Think about a time when you felt like you were the only one doing something or you stood out. How did that make you feel? (Allow everyone to answer.) Some people actually like standing out and doing things that no one else is doing, but most people are uncomfortable with it. It can be hard to be the only one doing something. It’s hard to feel like you stand out and everyone is watching you.
That’s why it can be really hard for us to tell others about Jesus and share about our faith. It can make us feel alone when we stand up for what we believe in. It is usually easier to just blend in with the crowd than it is to stand out. If those around you are Christians, it’s pretty easy to stand up for what you believe in. But what about when most of the people around you aren’t Christians?
How do you act around people who aren’t Christians? Are you willing to share your faith with them even if they laugh at you or make fun of you?
One of the things God gives us when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit is power to witness. That means that when we feel weak and like we can’t do it, we can ask God the Holy Spirit to help us. He can give us the power and the courage to tell others about Jesus.
Think about it:
Question 1. After Jesus walked and talked with His apostles for forty days following His resurrection, what happened to Him?
Answer 1. He was taken up and a cloud hid Him from their sight. (Acts 1:1–9)
Question 2. How did Jesus say His baptism would be different from John’s?
Answer 2. “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)
Question 3. How long did Jesus walk and talk with His disciples after His resurrection?
Answer 3. Forty days (Acts 1:1–3)
Question 4. When did Jesus say the disciples would receive power?
Answer 4. When the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8)
Question 5. Where did Jesus go when He disappeared into the clouds?
Answer 5. Heaven (Acts 1:11)
Talk about It:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Is it easy or hard for you to tell others about Jesus? Why?
•What would make talking to others about Jesus easier?
Pray about it:
Jesus, thank You for forgiving me when I afraid to talk about You with others. Help me to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness for You. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Read:
Acts 2:1–4
Every person who trusts in Jesus to be saved has the Holy Spirit living in their heart. But the baptism in the Holy Spirit, or being filled with the Holy Spirit, is not the same thing. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is another gift from God where He gives us power to live for Him and tell others about Jesus.
When the disciples and others in the Bible were filled with the Holy Spirit, they had a special way to know they received this gift. They began speaking in other languages they had not learned. It says in verse 4 that the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. We call this speaking in tongues or a prayer language, and it happens to everyone who is baptized in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not force you to speak in tongues or take over your body. You have to be willing to speak out the new words or sounds that the Holy Spirit is giving to you.
Think about it:
Question 1. What gift of God was given to the Church on the Day of Pentecost?
Answer 1. The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4)
Question 2. Does the Holy Spirit dwell in every Christian?
Answer 2. Yes, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts when we believe in Jesus. (Romans 8:9)
Question 3. When did God first baptize believers in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 3. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4)
Question 4. What happened in Acts 2:2–3, just before the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Answer 4. Those who had gathered heard a sound like a strong windstorm and saw something that looked like tongues of fire on each believer. (Acts 2:2–3)
Question 5. What happened after they were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Answer 5. They began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability. (Acts 2:4)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? What was the experience like?
•Have you continued to use your prayer language? Why or why not?
•How do you feel God’s power to tell others about Jesus?
Pray about It
God, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit. Please help me to receive this wonderful gift from You to me. I want to be baptized in Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Read:
Acts 2:1–4
Every person who trusts in Jesus to be saved has the Holy Spirit living in their heart. But the baptism in the Holy Spirit, or being filled with the Holy Spirit, is not the same thing. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is another gift from God where He gives us power to live for Him and tell others about Jesus.
When the disciples and others in the Bible were filled with the Holy Spirit, they had a special way to know they received this gift. They began speaking in other languages they had not learned. It says in verse 4 that the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. We call this speaking in tongues or a prayer language, and it happens to everyone who is baptized in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not force you to speak in tongues or take over your body. You have to be willing to speak out the new words or sounds that the Holy Spirit is giving to you.
Think about it:
Question 1. What gift of God was given to the Church on the Day of Pentecost?
Answer 1. The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4)
Question 2. Does the Holy Spirit dwell in every Christian?
Answer 2. Yes, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts when we believe in Jesus. (Romans 8:9)
Question 3. When did God first baptize believers in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 3. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4)
Question 4. What happened in Acts 2:2–3, just before the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Answer 4. Those who had gathered heard a sound like a strong windstorm and saw something that looked like tongues of fire on each believer. (Acts 2:2–3)
Question 5. What happened after they were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Answer 5. They began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability. (Acts 2:4)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? What was the experience like?
•Have you continued to use your prayer language? Why or why not?
•How do you feel God’s power to tell others about Jesus?
Pray about It
God, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit. Please help me to receive this wonderful gift from You to me. I want to be baptized in Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
What if people think that I'm weird because they hear me speaking in my prayer language?
Read:
Acts 2:4–13
Some people worry about what other people will think if they are baptized in the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues, their prayer language. When you receive this gift from God and are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will begin to speak in a language you’ve never learned. This happened over and over in the Bible when people were baptized in the Holy Spirit. It’s not something you would see anywhere else, so it can sound or look different to some people.
Receiving this gift from God just takes asking Him and believing that He will give it to you and you will receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This experience is different from salvation and it focuses on giving us power to live for God. When the Holy Spirit comes to baptize you, He will give you words or sounds that you need to speak. When you obey and speak, He will give you a prayer language for you to use. Don’t allow worrying about what other people think keep you from receiving this powerful gift.
Think about it:
Question 1. What city were Jesus’ disciples in when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 1. Jerusalem (Acts 2:5)
Question 2. Why was the crowd confused at what they were hearing?
Answer 2. The crowd was full of Jews from different nations of the world. They heard the disciples speaking in the languages of their home countries. (Acts 2:5–6)
Question 3. Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit the same as salvation?
Answer 3. No, these are different experiences with different purposes.
Question 4. What is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 4. Speaking with other tongues as the Spirit empowers [enables] (Acts 2:4)
Question 5. Why do we believe that speaking with other tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 5. Because it is the pattern of the New Testament Church (Acts 2:4; 8:14–21; 9:17; 10:46; 1 Corinthians 14:18)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Have you ever been too embarrassed to do something? Why?
•Do you think people might think you are weird if you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and they heard you speak in tongues? Why or why not?
•Do you think it’s worth risking what other people think of you to receive the Holy Spirit’s power?
Pray about It
God, thank You for helping me have the courage and boldness to ask to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Help me not to worry about what other people might think about me. Please help me focus on how it will grow my relationship with You. Amen.
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
What if people think that I'm weird because they hear me speaking in my prayer language?
Read:
Acts 2:4–13
Some people worry about what other people will think if they are baptized in the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues, their prayer language. When you receive this gift from God and are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will begin to speak in a language you’ve never learned. This happened over and over in the Bible when people were baptized in the Holy Spirit. It’s not something you would see anywhere else, so it can sound or look different to some people.
Receiving this gift from God just takes asking Him and believing that He will give it to you and you will receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This experience is different from salvation and it focuses on giving us power to live for God. When the Holy Spirit comes to baptize you, He will give you words or sounds that you need to speak. When you obey and speak, He will give you a prayer language for you to use. Don’t allow worrying about what other people think keep you from receiving this powerful gift.
Think about it:
Question 1. What city were Jesus’ disciples in when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 1. Jerusalem (Acts 2:5)
Question 2. Why was the crowd confused at what they were hearing?
Answer 2. The crowd was full of Jews from different nations of the world. They heard the disciples speaking in the languages of their home countries. (Acts 2:5–6)
Question 3. Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit the same as salvation?
Answer 3. No, these are different experiences with different purposes.
Question 4. What is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 4. Speaking with other tongues as the Spirit empowers [enables] (Acts 2:4)
Question 5. Why do we believe that speaking with other tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 5. Because it is the pattern of the New Testament Church (Acts 2:4; 8:14–21; 9:17; 10:46; 1 Corinthians 14:18)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Have you ever been too embarrassed to do something? Why?
•Do you think people might think you are weird if you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and they heard you speak in tongues? Why or why not?
•Do you think it’s worth risking what other people think of you to receive the Holy Spirit’s power?
Pray about It
God, thank You for helping me have the courage and boldness to ask to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Help me not to worry about what other people might think about me. Please help me focus on how it will grow my relationship with You. Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
What are the benefits of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Read:
Acts 2:14–17; 38–41
There are several benefits of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. When we receive this gift, the Holy Spirit can help us live and serve Jesus better. One of the other main benefits is easy to see in today’s Bible passage. The baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us power to witness. Can you lead someone to Jesus without being filled with the Holy Spirit? Of course you can! But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, He empowers you to do things in a bolder and more courageous way. You will see results you couldn’t possibly see if you were trying to witness in your own strength.
When Peter heard the people around the disciples accusing them of acting in a way that didn’t honor God, he knew he had to set them straight. He stepped forward and not only told them the truth, but he preached a sermon as well. You can be sure that he was being motivated and empowered by the Holy Spirit because just look at the results! In verse 41 it says that about three thousand people were saved and baptized that day because they believed what Peter had said in his sermon. That’s pretty powerful results!
Do you think Peter did that alone? No way! He had been baptized in the Holy Spirit and was full of the Holy Spirit and His power.
Think about it:
Question 1. What Old Testament prophet foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Answer 1. Joel (Acts 2:16)
Question 2. About how many people were saved as a result of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost?
Answer 2. [About] three thousand (Acts 2:41)
Question 3. What did Peter tell the people at Pentecost to do in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer 3. “Each of you must repent of your sins and turns to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Question 4. What are the purposes of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 4. To help us live and serve Jesus better; to give us power to witness. (Accept other answers when appropriate.)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•What benefits have you experienced from being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
•Have you asked the Holy Spirit to empower you to tell others about Jesus?
Pray about It
God, thank You for giving us the power through Your Holy Spirit to witness to others. Please help me to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to help me and not try to do it in my own strength. Amen.
The Holy Spirit empowers me.
Faith Verse
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Question of the Day:
What are the benefits of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Read:
Acts 2:14–17; 38–41
There are several benefits of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. When we receive this gift, the Holy Spirit can help us live and serve Jesus better. One of the other main benefits is easy to see in today’s Bible passage. The baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us power to witness. Can you lead someone to Jesus without being filled with the Holy Spirit? Of course you can! But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, He empowers you to do things in a bolder and more courageous way. You will see results you couldn’t possibly see if you were trying to witness in your own strength.
When Peter heard the people around the disciples accusing them of acting in a way that didn’t honor God, he knew he had to set them straight. He stepped forward and not only told them the truth, but he preached a sermon as well. You can be sure that he was being motivated and empowered by the Holy Spirit because just look at the results! In verse 41 it says that about three thousand people were saved and baptized that day because they believed what Peter had said in his sermon. That’s pretty powerful results!
Do you think Peter did that alone? No way! He had been baptized in the Holy Spirit and was full of the Holy Spirit and His power.
Think about it:
Question 1. What Old Testament prophet foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Answer 1. Joel (Acts 2:16)
Question 2. About how many people were saved as a result of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost?
Answer 2. [About] three thousand (Acts 2:41)
Question 3. What did Peter tell the people at Pentecost to do in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Answer 3. “Each of you must repent of your sins and turns to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Question 4. What are the purposes of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer 4. To help us live and serve Jesus better; to give us power to witness. (Accept other answers when appropriate.)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•What benefits have you experienced from being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
•Have you asked the Holy Spirit to empower you to tell others about Jesus?
Pray about It
God, thank You for giving us the power through Your Holy Spirit to witness to others. Please help me to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to help me and not try to do it in my own strength. Amen.