Faith On Fire: Spirit Powered Witness

Week 8

Week 8 Theme: We are Spirit-empowered witnesses to the world.

Paraclete: Gk Pneuma Hb Ruah

Breath or wind. All life is not natural but in fact it is supernatural. The animate God gifts.

Primary Scriptures:

Acts 1:8 (NRSV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Matthew 28:18–20 (NRSV): "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Objective:

To understand the Spirit’s role in commissioning believers, and how this calling shapes a Wesleyan apologetic—missional, holistic, and empowered by grace and holiness.

Resource Focus: Scripture and the Life of God, ch. 5

"The life of God made known in Scripture is never static, but always moving outward—always seeking to draw others into the love shared by Father, Son, and Spirit." —David F. Watson, Scripture and the Life of God, ch. 5

Watson highlights how Scripture reveals a missionary God—always reaching out, always sending. The Spirit's work is not only inward (personal sanctification) but outward (missional engagement). In Wesleyan thought, sanctification and mission are inseparable. Holiness leads to service.

“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…”

Context: The Spirit comes as a mighty wind—an implicit connection to divine breath (pneuma in Greek).

Objective:

To understand the Spirit’s role in commissioning believers and how this calling shapes a Wesleyan apologetic—missional, holistic, and empowered by grace and holiness.

Key Wesleyan Insights:

Grace Empowers Witness: Wesley taught that prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace are not ends in themselves but empower us to love our neighbors. Evangelism is not optional—it is the natural outflow of a transformed life.

Holiness for the World’s Sake: Wesley’s emphasis on holiness was always communal and missional: "The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness." —John Wesley

Spirit as Power for Apologetics: Apologetics is not merely rational defense but Spirit-empowered testimony. The Spirit enables us to bear witness not just with words, but with lives that reflect the love and justice of Christ.

Session Breakdown:

1. Opening Reflection (5–10 min):

When have you felt the Holy Spirit empower you to speak or act beyond your natural capacity?

Do you see yourself as "sent"? If so, to whom and for what?

2. Biblical Foundations (15–20 min):

Walk through Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18–20.

Emphasize the authority of Christ, the gift of the Spirit, and the scope of the mission.

Tie in Acts as the lived-out story of this commission: the Spirit moves ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

The Breath of God and the Supernatural Life:

Explore key passages:

Genesis 2:7: God breathes life into Adam.

John 20:22: Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Job 33:4: "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

Ezekiel 37:9-10: God's breath revives the dry bones.

Discuss the theological claim: "Life itself is supernatural because it is only by the breath of a supernatural God we exist. Human life, therefore, is either increased or decreased by our dependence on God for life."

Clarify meaning:

"Life is a sacred gift, breathed into us by a supernatural God. True and abundant life is found as we deepen our dependence on Him, for the more we walk in God’s Spirit, the more fully alive we become."

Questions for reflection:

How does seeing life as a gift of divine breath shape how you live or evangelize?

In what ways can dependence on God lead to a more abundant life?

How might this understanding serve as a compelling apologetic in a secular culture?

Discussion Question:

What does it mean to be Christ’s witness in your own “Jerusalem,” “Judea,” and “Samaria”? What are “the ends of the earth” for you?

3. The Wesleyan Lens (15–20 min):

Highlight how Wesleyan theology sees salvation as dynamic and communal.

Emphasize the role of social holiness, practical divinity, and the means of grace in preparing and sustaining witnesses.

Tie in Watson’s assertion that Scripture points to God’s outward-moving mission.

Quote to Reflect On:

"Faith working by love is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection." —John Wesley

Discussion Question:

How might your witness look different if you thought of your entire life—your work, your habits, your relationships—as an apologetic?

4. Challenges in Living the Commission (15 min):

Challenge 1: Fear of Rejection or Failure

Modern secular culture often treats public faith as offensive or naive.

The call to witness can feel intimidating or even isolating.

Challenge 2: Compartmentalized Faith

Many believers treat their faith as private rather than public or communal.

Wesley would challenge us: there’s no such thing as a "solitary Christian."

Challenge 3: Apologetics without Love

It's possible to “win the argument but lose the person.”

Spirit-filled apologetics is both truthful and gracious.

Challenge 4: Burnout or Inward Focus

Without regular renewal through the means of grace (prayer, Word, fellowship, sacraments), the call to mission becomes duty-driven rather than grace-fueled.

Discussion Questions:

What challenges do you face when trying to live as a Spirit-empowered witness?

How does your church help you (or hinder you) in this calling?

What practices do you need to embrace to sustain your witness?

Closing Activity: Personal Commissioning (10 min):

Invite participants to write a brief personal mission statement in light of this session:

"By the power of the Holy Spirit, I am sent to _________, to bear witness to Christ by ___________."

Allow sharing in small groups or prayer pairs.

Prayer and Benediction:

Pray for boldness, compassion, and Spirit-empowered love to live out the Great Commission and the Acts 1:8 mandate.

Optional Next Steps / Homework:

Read: Scripture and the Life of God, ch. 5 again, with Acts 1 open beside it.

Practice: Choose one small way to “go” this week—have a spiritual conversation, serve a neighbor, or speak about your faith where it’s natural but vulnerable.

Reflect: Journal about where the Spirit might be sending you next.