WELCOME TO WEEK 4

Have you ever felt left out. Maybe two other kids have an inside joke you can’t laugh about with them. Maybe you moved to a new area and you’re not sure how to get in with the kids at school. Perhaps there is a group game you’ve not been invited to play because you are too young. We’ve all been left out before and it doesn’t feel great. There is good news. When Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit in his place, he meant for the Holy Spirit to be fore everyone. No one needs to be left out. This week we will see that God pours out His Holy Spirit and it is for whoever wants to accept it.

Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 139:7-10

BIBLE STORY

Listen to the following phrases or words in another language. Tell what you think is being said into English. Use this website to enter phrases and use the speaker button to allow the computer to say the phrase or words if desired. Say the following phrases or words in a variety of languages. Try to guess what is being said or see if you can figure out the phrase. 

-hello

-good morning

-good night

-enjoy your meal

-mother

-father

-come here

-let’s play

-I’m hungry

-I like it

-whats for dinner

-dessert

-my favorite

Learning, speaking or understanding a different language can be difficult. It takes a lot of practice listening and speaking to learn and communicate in a different language other than the language or languages you learned in your home. At Pentecost, the disciples did something amazing, but not of their own ability but by the power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel was heard in various languages by those listening to the disciples. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to speak other languages for the purpose of spreading the gospel. God’s message is not just for one group of people, but it is for everyone! 

Read or listen to the Bible reading in Acts 2:1-21

What suddenly happened one evening at Pentecost while a group was gathered in one place? (Suddenly there was a loud sound like a violent wind)

What did they see happen around them? (They saw what looked like tongues of fire resting on each of them)

When they were filled with the Spirit, what did each of them do? (Speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled)

What did the crowd that gathered hear? (Each one heard their own language being spoken)

What did Peter tell them all of this meant? (He described to them what the prophet Joel prophesied would happen in the last days)

What would happen to every one who calls on the name of the Lord? (They will be saved)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

Let’s play a game. We will have a race and see who can give the most answers to each question before the timer is off. Set a timer for 1 minute for each question, asking one question at a time. Complete as many questions as you would like, checking the answers after every question’s timer goes off.

-Name as many countries as you can.

- name as many language as possible.

-say hello in as many language as possible.

Materials: Pencil/pen, sheet of paper, listed questions above

Alternate

The Holy Spirit was sent as a helper to the disciples and to everyone who believes. The Holy Spirit was not just for the 12 disciples, but the Holy Spirit was sent to help everyone understand God and to continue to share the gospel of Jesus to others. Go on this hunt to search out sentences or phrases that describe the Holy Spirit. Print and cut out the phrases, then place them around the room to be found. Once all the cards are found, read all of the descriptions for the Holy Spirit. Then using a large sheet of construction paper, write “The Holy Spirit is…” in the center of the page and glue the phrases onto the poster. Decorate the poster with stickers and drawings if desired.

Materials: Construction paper shredded, water, cup for molding or muffin tin, flower/plant seeds

Independent activity:

Complete the following activity sheet

Materials: printed activity sheet

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create a Holy Spirit pinwheel

Materials: Colored construction paper, glue, scissors, crayons

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

In Psalm 139:7-10 it says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast”

When you read that scripture how does it make you feel? Are you comforted by these words? We could see this verse as saying we can not escape or hide from God, He is always watching us waiting for us to make a mistake. But this verse is really saying that we can’t find ourselves in any place or trouble in which God would not be there with us. The Holy Spirit is with us no matter where we go and doesn’t desert us. We can trust that in good times and in bad times, when we are far from home or close by, God’s Spirit will always be with us to guide, protect and comfort us. That is good news! There is no place we can go that God is not there to hold us. 

Have you ever felt alone?

How does knowing the Holy Spirit is not afraid to be with you in all places and at all times make you feel?

How can we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives?

How can we know the Holy Spirit is in our lives if we can not see him?

How should my behavior change if the Holy Spirit is in my life?

The Holy Spirit is often compared to air because it can not be seen, what is something you would compare the Holy Spirit to?

Practical Application at Home

When the Holy Spirit is in our lives it should reflect how we behave and how we treat the people around us. When once we may have been sour or mean to our siblings, once the Holy Spirit is in us, we learn to treat others in a way that is pleasing to God. We may not change over night, but we can hear and feel the Holy Spirit tell us when we are doing wrong or speaking unkind. Listen to the following scenarios and decide if the Holy Spirit is helping them make good choices.

-Sally’s mother told her to take out the trash after dinner. Sally decided to play a game on her device instead. Did Sally make the right choice?

-Hal saw his younger sister needed help getting a cup out of the cabinet so he helped her get the cup down and gave her something to drink. Did Hal make the right choice?

-Erin was watching her favorite show when a commercial came on that she knew was not appropriate for her to see. She decided to turn off the TV for a few minutes until the commercial was over. Did Erin make the right choice?

-Nathan started playing a video game at a friend’s house that he knew was not allowed in his house. He quickly made an excuse and left his friends house to go back home. Did Nathan make the right choice?

-Callie has the chore of cleaning the bathrooms every Friday to prepare for Sabbath. When her mom asked her if she was finished cleaning the bathrooms she lied and said they were clean although she had not cleaned them. Did Callie make the right choice?

-Heather noticed her elderly neighbor in her yard most of the morning trying to pull out weeds from her garden. Heather offered to help her neighbor pull out the rest of the weeds that day. Did Heather make the right choice?

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.