39 - The Holy Spirit Speaks in Us
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen
Lesson No. ( 39 )
References:
Acts 2:1-26.
Notes for Servants
i The Day of Pentecost was a wonderful day in the history of humanity. In it, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and opened their eyes; they were filled with a great power from above. They no more workers, but the Spirit of God worked in and through them.
i They were a group of fearful and anxious men before. In the day of the crucifix of Jesus, everyone fled to a different place and when they gathered, it was in secret. Now, here they are speaking in public and facing the multitudes not only bravely but accusing them and putting the responsibility of crucifyingChrist on them The Holy Spirit was working in them and gave them both courage and knowledge.
Objectives
General: The Power of the Holy Spirit.
Specific:
The children will be able to ...
- Know that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.
- Acknowledge the Power of the Holy Spirit in our life as we receive it in baptism. C. Learn some of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Bible Verse
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."
(Acts 2:3)
Teaching Aids
Icon.
Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the lesson.
Story Time
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Gal 5:22-6:1
The Day of Pentecost approached. It was a big feast for the children of Israel which fell on the fiftieth day after the Passover. It was also the feast of harvest which they celebrated by happy and bright festivals. Jerusalemwasfullofpilgrims who had come from different countries of the world to participate in the joy of the feast. Amidst all these festivals, there was a small group of men and women gathered in the upper room. They were sharing with each other their memories of Jesus, waiting for the promise and praying.
The Day of Pentecost came, and the small group was in the upper room, suddenly a great thing happened and there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues as of fire and it sat upon each one of them" (Acts 2:1-4).
Suddenly, a great change happened to the disciples. They felt power within them that pushed them out of the upper room to the people outside to tell them of their faith without fear. In front of the temple, the pilgrims were gathered enquiring about the cause ofthe noise they heard. The disciples stood in the midst telling of Jesus and proving to them that He is the Messiah whom their fathers were expecting. “Strange enough each had heard the disciples talking to him in his own language, so that the multitude marvelled and said to each other, What does this mean". But others mocked them saying, "They are full of new wine".
Peter stood in the middle of the group,full of courage and zeal (Acts 2:14-26). Peter who denied Jesus seven weeks ago, and said to the maid, “I know him not", stands now fearless before thousands to declare his faith in Jesus and calls them also to believe in Him. This was the work of the Holy Spirit who gave the courage and the knowledge. He gave the disciples to speak different languages that they had no previous knowledge of.
It was not Peter nor the disciples talking; it was the Holy Spirit who spoke in them. That was why the words were effective. The Bible says; “They were pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:37), and they said, "What. shall we do?". Peter answered and said “Repent and be baptized .. . and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. They accepted his words with joy and were baptized. About three thousand souls were added that day to the church.
Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.
Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.
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