​Read all or parts of Read  Acts 1:1-11 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

STORY: Before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave the disciples some important instructions to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. He said they would be baptized, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches us that there is only one God and that He is three equal, but different, persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is an active part in our salvation, and He comes to live in us when we become a Christian.

The Holy Spirit helped Jesus’ disciples be His witnesses in the world. A witness for Jesus means that we tell others what we know to be true about Him. The disciples were to share all they had experienced with Jesus and preach the gospel. After Jesus gave His disciples this important mission, He was lifted up to heaven until a cloud hid Him from sight. It would be the Holy Spirit who would help the disciples with the mission Jesus gave them. While we wait for Jesus to return, He calls us to be His witnesses, like the disciples. And like the disciples, we can share the truth of the gospel with people we know by the power He gives us through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our Helper, teacher, comforter, and our friend! He helps us be witnesses for Jesus, just like the disciples.

DISCUSSION QUESTION #1: Do we need help to share the gospel and live for Jesus? Why?

ANSWER: Yes, we are to share the gospel with others because Jesus commands us to be His witnesses. The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to rescue us from our sins and that He will one day return to take us home to heaven to live with Him forever. We want as many people as possible to hear this good news so that they can enjoy a relationship with Jesus, too!

DISCUSSION QUESTION #2: What role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of a believer?

ANSWER: Once a person confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of them. From that point on, the Holy Spirit helps the believer obey Jesus, teaches us through God's Word, and empowers us to share the gospel of Jesus to other people. 

MORNINGS:

Thank God for fulfilling His promises by not leaving us alone. Thank Him for giving us the Holy Spirit as our Helper. Ask God to help you, through the Holy Spirit, to be a witness about Jesus to other people through your words and actions.

EVENINGS:

Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with classmates, neighbors, family, and friends. Think about the relationships you have with those who haven’t trusted in Jesus. How can you take the next step in sharing Jesus with that person? How can you be more intentional about sharing the good news of the gospel in your conversations?