Conversation Starters: The Holy Spirit
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We come to faith in Jesus when we realize we cannot come to God on our own. We are powerless to save ourselves. Yet, after coming to Christ, we often try to live for Jesus in our own power. Jesus has physically left the earth, but He has not left us alone. We can live for Him, we can do what’s right, and we can face whatever life throws at us because He has sent His Holy Spirit to us.
Concept: The Holy Spirit
Preschool
Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:1-2,6-11,14,22,37-41
LIFE POINT: Peter and the other helpers (disciples) of Jesus were staying together in a house. They heard a sound like a strong wind. People gathered outside the house after hearing the sound. Then the helpers went out to tell the people about Jesus. Each person heard the men speak in his own language. Then Peter stood up and talked to all the people. “Listen to me,” Peter said. “I have an important message to tell you about Jesus.” Many people listened to the message that Peter spoke that day. “What should we do?” the people asked. “Start making right choices,” Peter said. Many people believed in Peter’s words and believed in Jesus.
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child say today’s Bible verse. Play a game by alternately saying each word of the verse with your child. Remind her that Jesus loves her and He wants her to love Him.
Kids
Acts 1:4-11
LIFE POINT: After Jesus’ resurrection, He spent time with His disciples. It was soon going to be time for Jesus to leave this earth and go up to be with His Father in heaven. But He was not going to leave the disciples alone. He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. The disciples asked Jesus if He was going to restore the Kingdom of Israel now. Jesus replied that it was not the disciples job to know the days or the times God the Father has set. But they could rest assured by the fact that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit. The disciples would be witnesses for Jesus all over the world! After Jesus said this, He was taken up into heaven. They watched Him disappear into the clouds. Then suddenly, two men dressed in white appeared beside them. These men asked the disciples, “Why are you standing here looking into the sky? Jesus will come again.”
LIVE IT OUT: Challenge your child to memorize John 3:16 and say it in sign language. (See videos of signs on the Internet.) Comment that God’s love involved sacrificing His own Son for us.
Students
Acts 1:3-11
THE POINT: Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. How does the Holy Spirit guide you in your daily life? In what ways does the Holy Spirit teach, encourage, correct, and convict you? Discuss the following quote:
“The Holy Spirit illuminates the minds of people, makes us yearn for God, and takes spiritual truth and makes it understandable to us.” 1 —Billy Graham
LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:
If he or she plans to complete Plugged In:
•Read through the book of Acts with your student.
•Discuss ways the Holy Spirit works in the lives
of believers .
If he or she plans to complete He’s Coming Back:
•Talk with your student about how your family can live expectantly for the return of Christ.
•Pray for your student to sense the urgency of sharing the gospel with others.
1. Billy Graham, “The Holy Spirit,” Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, [cited 14 September 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://billygraham.org.
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