The Holy Spirit Will Empower You to Speak

“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 13:9-11 (NIV)

 Props: Poster board with Mark 13:10, 11 written on it

 Good morning, boys and girls.  As we continue our teaching on the Holy Spirit, there are a few scriptures I would like to share with you.  Mark 13:10, 11 says…um…Mark 13:10, 11 says…well, I can’t remember.  Oh, this is terrible.  I studied it and everything.  Now I can’t even think of the first word.  And I’m supposed to be the teacher!  Now what am I going to do?  I can’t very well continue my lesson if I can’t remember the verse.  (A helper calls your attention to the back of the room where he is holding the poster board).  Whew!  That was just in time.  Thankfully, there was help just when I needed it.  (Read from poster board).  Mark 13:10, 11 says, “The good news has to be preached to all nations before the end comes. You will be arrested and brought to trial. But don’t worry ahead of time about what you will say. Just say what God brings to your mind at the time. It is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”  In other words, Jesus is telling His disciples that they will have to stand up to judges and kings and tell them the truth about Him.  But they’re not supposed to worry about it ahead of time, because the Holy Spirit will speak through them.  He will give them the words to say. 

There will be times when you feel like you are supposed to talk to someone about God, or say something to someone in need.  There may also be times when someone asks you about why you believe in God or about what the Bible says.  Maybe you feel shy about talking to people like that, because you’re not sure what you’re going to say.  It could be that you don’t even want to start a conversation about God because you think you’ll forget everything and sound silly.  But Jesus said don’t worry ahead of time about what you were going to say.  When you are filled with God’s Spirit, He’ll give you the words.  He will be like my helper today, who held up the words for me just in time.  (The Holy Spirit won’t stand in front of you with a poster board, but He will speak the words to your heart if you’re listening for His voice). 

            We can be our best with God’s Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will speak through you and give you the words to say when you need it most.  Follow after God and His Holy Spirit and let Him work through you in amazing ways.