INCLUDED
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.
BIBLE STORY
Do you know how to say hello in another language? There are lots of different countries with lots of language around the world. Let’s practice sayin phrases from around the world. Use this website to enter the following phrases. Listen and try to repeat as many phrases as possible with your child.
-hello
-good morning
-good night
-enjoy your meal
-mother
-father
-come here
-let’s play
-I’m hungry
-I like it
-whats for dinner
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
Blow bubbles using a bubble machine or a bubble wand then blow a few bubbles in your Childs direction. What makes these bubbles move? It’s the air! Can you see the air? No, we can’t see the air but we know it’s there because of the bubbles it moves. Blow on the back of your hand? Can you feel the air? Yes, we can not see air but we see the effects of air and we can feel the air. The Holy Spirit is like that. We may not be able to see the Holy Spirit but we can see the effects of it, it can change people and we can feel it change us on the inside. The disciples were able to speak other languages so they could share the good news of Jesus with people without worrying about how they would understand one another. The Holy Spirit gave them that ability. The Holy Spirit is for everyone. Allow your child to play and have fun in the bubbles for a little while.
Materials: Bubbles to blow with Bubble machine or wand
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: Printed descriptions of the Holy Spirit, large sheet of construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons or markers, stickers (Optional)
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
Why did God send the Holy Spirit?
What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would be able to do?
How can we invite the Holy Spirit in?
We can not see the Holy Spirit but we can feel it, what else can you feel but not see?
When you are kind to others, how does that show the Holy Spirit in your life?
Give an example of how you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life.
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 situation and tell which is the right choice to make. It is not hard to see which choice is the right one to make. This week try to make good choices and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
-Tell the truth about the breaking your moms container OR try to cover up the broken container by hiding it.
-Hold the door open for the person behind you OR hurry through the door before they reach it.
-Forgive your brother for breaking your toy OR yell at your brother for bothering your things.
-Obeying your teachers directions right away OR refuse to do what your teacher says because you don’t want to.
-Be kind and friendly to the new kid in school OR ignore the new kid in school because you don’t know them.
-Use the words please and thank you when ordering food from the waiter OR give the waiter your quick order so they will leave you alone.
-Help your classmate get up when they fall down off the playground OR laugh at your classmate you fell down and may have hurt themselves.
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.