Day 67 · Week 10
Passage: Acts 4:13–20; Acts 5:27–29
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:10
Acts 5:29 (KJV)
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
The apostles were ordered to stop teaching in the name of Jesus.
The authorities had real power. They could threaten, imprison, and punish. Yet Peter and the other apostles answered with a simple principle: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Christians are not called to be rebellious for the sake of rebellion. Scripture teaches respect for legitimate authority. But human authority is never higher than God's authority.
When the two truly conflict, loyalty to God comes first.
Notice also what gave the apostles courage. Acts 4 says people recognized that Peter and John “had been with Jesus.” Their boldness was not merely a strong personality. They knew the risen Christ.
That is where courage begins.
If our convictions depend only on what our family, church, friends, or culture expects, pressure can easily change them. But when we personally know Jesus and understand His Word, obedience becomes more than following a group.
We belong to Him.
Families can prepare for difficult choices before they arrive by studying Scripture, talking openly about convictions, and learning to make small faithful choices now.
When should a Christian obey human authority, and what should happen if an authority directly requires disobedience to God?
Choose one biblical conviction your family considers important and talk about why you believe it from Scripture.
Ask Jesus to make your family's convictions biblical, thoughtful, and strong enough to remain faithful under pressure.