Holy Spirit | Power to Witness | Pastor Jamie Kemp

Read:  Acts 1:4-11

Jesus promised that believers would receive Dunamis—the same Greek word from which we get “dynamite”—to empower them as witnesses. Just as dynamite transforms a landscape by clearing away obstructions, the Holy Spirit reshapes our environment—changing hard hearts, broken families, and divided communities.

Being a witness is simply reporting what you have seen and experienced. It is not a debate, but an invitation to others to experience what you have experienced.

The call to witness is less about a geographical strategy and more about a relational assignment.

• Jerusalem (Closest to us): Our family, friends, and coworkers. While these are often the hardest to reach, our transformed lives preach the loudest to those who knew our "old" selves.
• Judea (Common community): People we relate to easily, share values with, and have relational trust with.
• Samaria (Discomfort/Outsiders): The people we naturally avoid due to prejudice, social division, or fear. Jesus calls us to intentionally cross these barriers.
• Ends of the Earth (Global): The commitment to take the Gospel to those with no access, moving beyond our comfort zones to prioritize global redemption.

5 Discussion Questions for Young Adults

1. Often times, the hardest people to witness to are those who know us best (our "Jerusalem"). Why do you think it is often more difficult to be a witness at home or with close friends than in a public or ministry setting?
2. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as "explosive power" (Dunamis) change your perspective on your ability to share your faith, compared to relying on your own strength or personality?
3. We all have a "Samaria"—someone or a group of people we might naturally avoid or feel uncomfortable with. What steps can you take this week to move toward someone in your "Samaria" with the love of Jesus?
4. How can you build deeper relational bridges in your current community (your Judea) to make your witness more effective?
5. If "witnessing" is simply sharing what you have experienced, what is a specific, recent way you have "seen or experienced" the goodness of God that you could share with a friend this week?