Pentecost

In Acts 2, we read about the beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost, where God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church.

 Key Points:

1. The Holy Spirit empowers us.
2. We must wait for God’s timing.
3. God always keeps His promises.

Lesson Guide – Pentecost

Before you begin this lesson, assess your child’s knowledge of the Holy Spirit and explain as needed.

Ask your children if they remember what Jesus told the disciples before ascending to heaven. (Review last week’s lesson). Jesus instructed his followers to go to Jerusalem and await the Holy Spirit.

When are sometimes we need to wait? Do we ever try to do something without waiting?

Share that the disciples didn’t know how long they would have to wait. But we can read it was about ten days. (Day of Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover – Leviticus 23:15-21). Try to remember what you did ten days ago. Does it seem like a long time?

Acts 1:1 says, ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.’ Share how special it is that we can spend time with other believers. Think about church or a prayer meeting where we can enjoy fellowship together.

Ask your child if they understand what ‘Suddenly’ means? Explain that it a bit like a surprise. The disciples knew the Holy Spirit would come, but not when. Play a scenario game where something ‘suddenly’ happens. For example, what would you do if you suddenly saw a hippo? Share how suddenly there was a mighty wind and what looked like tongues of fire came on each of the apostles. The Holy Spirit arrived just as Jesus promised. Jesus always keeps his promises.

Explain how God’s timing is always perfect. As it was the Feast of Weeks, thousands of Jews gathered in Jerusalem from all over the known world.

Ask your child if they know the name of any other languages. Explain that there are many languages in the world. Try to learn a simple word in a few languages like hello or thank you. Share how we can learn another language, but the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the ability to instantly speak in other languages and dialects. It was a miracle because everyone could hear the apostles speak in their own language.  

Share how the Holy Spirit enabled Peter to preach and people to understand. Share how the Holy Spirit enable us and equips us to serve God. Remove the battery from a battery powered toy. Invite your child to play with it. When they notice it is not working share how they could still play with it, but not how it is intended. Put some batteries in the toy and turn it on. Show how the battery gives the toy power. Reflect on Jesus promise that the Holy Spirit gives power to the church.

When people listened to Peter’s sermon they responded, and 3,000 people were added to the church.

Pray together and thank God that He is still building his church around the world.

Video Bible story for children – Pentecost

Free Printable Bible Story – Pentecost

Games and activities

Where are you? Foreign language game

At Pentecost, there where people from all around the world who spoke different languages. Teach your child how to ask, “where are you?” in another language.

For example: Spanish “¿Dónde estás? Or German “Wo bist du?”

Take turns to hide in the room. When the someone asks “where are you?” in the foreign language, the people hiding should make a funny noise until they are found.

Wind activities

Go or look outside and find as many things as you can that blow in the wind. For example, clouds, flags and leaves.

If you have time fly a kite or build a windmill.

Speak about how even though you can’t see the wind, its effect is obvious.

Share how the Holy Spirit came with a mighty wind at Pentecost.

Waiting game

Everyone should begin by sitting on the ground. Explain when you say “go”, they should wait x seconds and then stand up. The person closest to the correct time wins. Start off with low numbers.

Speak about how we must wait for God’s perfect time.

Worksheets

Free Bible Coloring Pages – Pentecost

Craft – Tongues of fire mobile

This mobile will blow around in the wind while reminding children how the Holy Spirit enabled the Apostles to share the Good News about Jesus. Flames include Jesus name in many languages and a blank flame for you to fill in.

What you need:

• Template page (black and white or coloured),
• Colouring pencils,
• Scissors,
• Hole punch,
• Wool or string.

What to do:

1. Cut out the template page. Colour the pages first if using the black and white version.
2. Glue strips together to form a ring.
3. Punch holes and tie flames to ring. Add string to hang.

Download the lesson for FREE

Translations