W H AT D O E S T H E H O LY S P I R I T D O ? | S U N DAY, J U LY 5 , 2 0 2 0
BIG PICTURE: The Holy Spirit is God!
BIG POINT: The Holy Spirit helps us and guides us.
BIG STORY: Philip and the Ethiopian—read Acts 8:26–36.
BIG WORD: “For all who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.” –Romans 8:14 (ISV) LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this lesson, children will: • Understand that the Holy Spirit guides us and helps us understand the Bible and God’s truths. • Understand that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God.
THE BIG QUESTIONS (to discuss with your kids)
1. In the Bible, God gives us his instructions for living. How can we understand the Bible? By listening to the Holy Spirit who lives in us. God gives us his gift of the Holy Spirit to lead us and help us know his truth. 2. Who gave Philip a message to travel to Gaza? An angel of the Lord. 3. Who told Philip to stay near the chariot? The Holy Spirit. 4. How did Philip help the Ethiopian man? He explained the Bible to him and how Jesus is the Promised Savior that was written about in Isaiah. 5. Why did the Ethiopian want to be baptized? He believed in the Lord Jesus. 6. Who took Philip away so the Ethiopian didn’t see him again? The Holy Spirit.
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7. Why was it important for Philip to immediately obey the Lord’s instructions? The Ethiopian man would not have heard the Good News and then might not have been saved.
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ENTIRE FAMILY Holy Spirit Balloon Activity Supplies needed: Balloon for each child Directions: 1. Say, “This balloon is like us before we chose to follow God. What do you think of the balloon when it is deflated?” It could seem lifeless or sad, as though it does not have a purpose. 2. Say, “The Holy Spirit can be referred to as the breath of God. Since we are the baloon, what do you think will happen when we receive the Holy Spirit?” We will be filled up with air and the balloon will be full (help kids blow up their balloons). 3. Say, “Now that we have the Holy Spirit, we are going to let him help us and lead us by letting the ballon go.” Have kids release their balloons. 4. “What happened when we let the balloon go? Could we control it? Did we know where it would go or end up?” The balloon will fly around all over the place and land randomly. We cannot control where we go or what we do when we allow the Holy Spirit to help us. God wants us to be full of life and go on awesome adventures with him, which is one reason he gives the Holy Spirit to help us. In our story today, the Holy Spirit led Philip to be in a place where he could help the Ethiopian understand the Bible. When we position ourselves to hear the Spirit and obey what the Spirit tells us, God can use us too! Coloring Page Supplies needed: Coloring page on page 4, crayons or colored pencils Directions: Talk with your child about the Bible story as they work on the coloring page.
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Holy Spirit Pinwheel Craft Supplies needed: One square piece of heavy construction paper, scissors, one thumbtack, one new pencil, crayons or markers, and stickers. Activity Directions: 1. Fold the construction paper on the diagonal from cor ner to corner. Open the paper up and fold on the second diagonal across the other two corners. When the paper is laid flat, the folds make an “X” across the square. 2. Make one cut along each fold beginning at the corner and cutting toward the center. The cut should stop about halfway toward the center. The cut should not go all the way to the center of the square. 3. Decorate each section of the paper square on both sides using your crayons, markers, and stickers. 4. Take every other corner one at a time and gently pull it up to the center of the square. 5. When all four corners meet at the center, push the thumbtack through all four corners and through the center of the square. 6. Push the thumbtack through the eraser of the pencil. 7. Blow on the pinwheel and watch it spin! Activity Questions: 1. Ask your kids, “What happens when you blow the pinwheel?” It moves and spins in a circle. You can see that wind is moving through the pinwheel. We can see the Holy Spirit when he works in us and uses us. 2. Ask your kids, “Do you have to blow the pinwheel a certain way for it to work?” The pinwheel has to be in a certain position in order for it to work right and for the wind to make it spin. We need to position ourselves so that the Holy Spirit can use us and we can be empowered by him.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who guides us in all truth and helps us to know you and love you and live that way you want us to. Amen.
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