What You’re Missing by Staying Quiet

Make Me Bold for Jesus

Scripture References

Primary text

• Acts 4
• Acts 4:13

Other references

• Acts 1
• Acts 2
• Acts 5
• Acts 17
• Acts 28

Overview

Boldness is not a rare personality trait—it is the natural overflow of knowing Jesus. Looking at the book of Acts, Craig Groeschel calls the church to recover first-century courage: ordinary people, filled with the Spirit, speaking and living for Christ whatever the cost. Our willingness to talk about Jesus reveals how much time we actually spend with Him; therefore we choose not to pray for comfort but to pray, “God, make me bold.”

Main Points

We’re all bold about something

• People freely brag about kids, teams, workouts, politics, even coffee.
• We speak up for what we value, so the real question for Christians is: What are you bold about?

The early church’s defining mark was boldness

• Survey of Acts:
  • Acts 1 – promised power.
  • Acts 2 – Spirit forms a bold community.
  • Acts 4 – under threat, they pray for more courage.
  • Acts 5 – obedience over safety.
  • Acts 17 – Paul reasons boldly in hostile cultures.
  • Acts 28 – Paul proclaims “with boldness and without hindrance” even in chains.
• Boldness pleases God; Jesus said He will acknowledge before the Father those who confess Him before people.

Case study: Peter and John (Acts 4)

• Two untrained fishermen heal a man and credit the risen Jesus, angering the authorities.
• The same council that crucified Jesus is “amazed” at their courage because they are “ordinary men with no special training.”
  • Greek note mentioned by speaker: word translated “ordinary” is idiōtēs—regular, credential-less people.
• Key observation: leaders “took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
  • Boldness comes from relationship, not temperament.

Two spiritual cycles

1. More time with Jesus → greater boldness → increasing impact → deeper hunger → even more time with Jesus.
2. Less time with Jesus → shrinking boldness → minimal impact → drifting heart → even less time with Jesus.

• Time in Scripture, prayer, and worship fuels courage; distraction drains it.

How the first believers prayed under threat

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

• They ask for courage, not comfort.
• God answers: the place shakes, they are filled with the Spirit, and they preach boldly.

Bold faith attracts opposition and miracles

• Peter and John are jailed twice in one week; persecution is normal when you speak up for Jesus.
• Yet an angel walks them out of prison without fanfare—expected supernatural help.
• Angel’s instruction: return to the temple and keep preaching “this new life.”

Personal illustrations

• Story: College-tennis “punk” to outspoken Jesus follower—cross on racket, gospel in award speech.
• Story: First funeral blunders (“I hope this coffin doesn’t rust”)—example of God using “ordinary idiots.”
• Story: Family vacation at a ranch—Craig realizes he chose comfort over sharing Christ with staff; resolves never to miss such an opening again.

Call to self-assessment

• Rate your current boldness 1–10 (1 = devil, 10 = Jesus).
  • 8–9: constantly inviting, sharing, praying.
  • 4–5: occasional invitations, known Christian reputation.
  • 1–3: sincere believer, yet few know it.
• If low, the remedy is more time with Jesus and intentional prayer for courage.

Key Truths

• Boldness is a reflection of proximity to Jesus, not of personality type.
• God delights in using “ordinary” people to do extraordinary kingdom work.
• Praying for comfort keeps the church safe; praying for boldness makes the church effective.
• Bold obedience often brings spiritual resistance, but it also invites divine intervention.
• A church that pleases God is filled with individuals who daily choose courageous witness.

Response

• Prioritize unhurried time in Scripture and prayer every day.
• Ask God aloud each morning, “Make me bold today.”
• Share your faith story or invite someone to church this week, even if it feels awkward.
• Serve in a ministry where your courage can bless others.
• Rejoice, not shrink back, when opposition comes—it signals you are making spiritual impact.

Closing

Craig challenged every believer to trade timid Christianity for Spirit-empowered courage. A comfortable church may feel pleasant, but only a bold church changes the world. The light of Christ shines brightest when the world grows darker; therefore we lift our hands, repent of fear, and pray for fresh fire.

“God, make me bold.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, Almighty God, I give You my life. I surrender my heart today. I boldly declare Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. I am forgiven of all my sins. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can boldly share Your love with others. Thank You for new life; now You have mine. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”