Paul stood on the stairs in chains, facing an angry crowd, and asked to speak (Acts 21:39-40). Years before, Jesus had told His disciples that days like this would come.
On the Mount of Olives. Jesus “sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple,” and “Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately” about what was ahead (Mark 13:3).
An honest warning. “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues” (Mark 13:9). Jesus told His friends the truth about hard days.
Before rulers. “You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them” (13:9). Rulers are people in charge, like governors and judges.
For My sake. The trouble would come because they belonged to Jesus. It would never mean that God had forgotten them.
Not a surprise. Jesus warned His friends ahead of time. When hard days came, they would remember that He had told them, and they would know He was still in control.
A testimony. A testimony is a true report about what you know. Jesus said that standing before a ruler would become a chance to tell that ruler about Him.
It happened to Paul. In Jerusalem Paul was beaten, bound and brought before a Roman commander. He did not spend his chance only defending himself. He told the crowd how Jesus had met him (Acts 22:6-10).
Kings and governors. In the later chapters of Acts, Paul stood before governors and a king, just as Jesus had said.
It happened to others. Peter and John stood before the rulers in Jerusalem too (Acts 4). The disciples who heard Jesus’ warning lived to see it come true.
The message keeps going. Jesus also said, “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations” (Mark 13:10). Hard days would not stop the good news.
Your hard days. You may never stand before a king. But someone may laugh at you for loving Jesus, or ask you why you pray. That moment can be your chance to tell the truth kindly.
Jesus stood there first. Jesus Himself was brought before rulers. He was treated as guilty, though He had never sinned.
The testimony we tell. We have all sinned, and Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then God raised Him from the dead. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.
What to do. Ask God to help you see hard moments as chances to tell about Jesus.
When Paul stood on the stairs, he had no time to get ready. Yet he spoke clearly and with respect: “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now” (Acts 22:1). Jesus had promised help for moments like that.
Do not worry ahead. “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak” (Mark 13:11). To premeditate means to plan ahead of time.
Given in that hour. “But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (13:11).
The Helper inside. The Holy Spirit lives in everyone who belongs to Jesus. He helps believers remember what is true and say it.
Not a reason to skip learning. This promise does not mean we should skip learning God’s Word. Paul had studied the Scriptures for years. The Spirit helps us use what we have learned.
Stephen. When men argued with Stephen, “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (Acts 6:10).
Peter. Before the rulers in Jerusalem, “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them” what God gave him to say (Acts 4:8).
Paul’s words. Paul spoke in the people’s own language, and “they kept all the more silent” (Acts 22:2). He answered people who had just beaten him with respect, not anger.
Paul’s example. Paul had no time to plan a speech. He simply told what Jesus had done for him, and that was enough.
Ask for help. Before a hard conversation, you can pray a short prayer and ask the Lord to help you speak the truth with love.
Worry or trust. Worry tells us we must handle everything alone. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help us.
For you. A friend might ask you about Jesus, or someone might tease you for praying. You do not need perfect words. Pray, remember what you know, and speak kindly.
What matters most. The most important words are about Jesus: we have all sinned, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead.
A promise for believers. Everyone who trusts Jesus is forgiven and receives the Holy Spirit. He is the Helper who never leaves.
What to do. Learn God’s Word now, and trust the Holy Spirit to help you when the moment comes.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.