October 12, 2025: Boldness in the Face of Resistance
Core Passage
When resistance and opposition arise as we seek to share the gospel, our first and most powerful response is to turn to God in prayer. Rather than fighting, fleeing, or freezing, we are invited to enter the quiet place with God, bringing our fears and challenges before Him, trusting that He hears and moves in response to our prayers. Prayer is not a last resort but the first and most effective action we can take, breaking the power of resistance and inviting God’s presence and authority into our circumstances. [01:04:55]
Acts 4:23-24 (ESV)
When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them…”
Reflection: When you feel resistance to sharing your faith, will you pause today and intentionally pray—naming your fears and asking God to move in those specific situations?
Observation Questions
Note: Timestamps for all questions correspond to the sermon video that can be found by clicking the orange button at the bottom of the page.
1. What was the first thing the early church did after Peter and John were released and reported the threats they faced? (Acts 4:23-24)
2. In their prayer, how did the believers describe God and His authority over the situation? (Acts 4:24, 28)
3. What specifically did the early church ask God for in the face of opposition? (Acts 4:29)
4. According to the sermon, what are the three natural human responses to resistance, and why are they not effective for the mission of God? [[57:11]]
Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church’s first response to resistance was prayer, rather than seeking comfort, security, or fighting back? What does this reveal about their priorities and trust? [[01:04:25]]
2. The believers affirm God’s sovereignty even as they face real threats. How does recognizing God’s ultimate control help someone face fear or opposition? [[01:12:01]]
3. The church did not pray for the removal of resistance, but for boldness to be faithful. What does this teach us about the kind of courage God wants to give His people? [[01:14:17]]
4. The sermon compared the filling of the Holy Spirit to an icebreaker ship having enough depth and power to move through thick ice. What does this analogy suggest about the source of our boldness and ability to keep moving forward in mission? [[01:23:39]]
Application Questions
1. When you face resistance—whether it’s social pressure, fear, or opposition—what is your most common response: fight, flee, or freeze? Can you share a recent example? How did it affect your witness or relationships? [[57:11]]
2. The sermon said, “Prayer is our first offense, not our last defense.” What would it look like for you to make prayer your immediate response when you feel resistance to sharing your faith? Is there a specific situation where you need to do this? [[01:04:25]]
3. The early church rested in God’s sovereignty, believing that nothing could touch them unless it passed through God’s loving hands. Is there an area of your life where fear of what others think is holding you back? How could trusting God’s control help you move forward? [[01:12:01]]
4. The central message we carry is the gospel—Jesus’ death, resurrection, and invitation to reconciliation. Are there times when you get distracted by other issues or arguments? How can you keep the gospel at the center of your conversations? [[01:16:26]]
5. The sermon emphasized that boldness is not self-produced, but comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take this week to seek a fresh filling of the Spirit for courage and clarity in sharing your faith? [[01:23:39]]
6. The “cellist in the crater” story was used as a picture of being an ambassador of hope in a broken world. Where is God calling you to “play the melody of the gospel” in a place of pain or resistance? What might that look like practically? [[01:20:54]]
7. The church prayed for boldness, not for easier circumstances. Is there a hard situation or relationship where you need to ask God for courage to be faithful, rather than just for things to get easier? How can the group pray for you in this? [[01:14:17]]