Read the Bible Story
You can read from a Children’s Bible, your Bible or use the following story.
Here is something you can say to children about the Holy Spirit if you’d like: “In this story we are going to learn that Jesus promised to always be with God’s people, even after He went back to heaven. So He sent His spirit, the Holy Spirit to live with us. The Holy Spirit is Jesus and God who lives with us, teaches us and helps us. The Holy Spirit lives with you and helps you. The Holy Spirit is that feeling you get inside that tells you if you are making a good choice or a bad choice.”
The Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-21
Thousands of people went to Jerusalem to celebrate a holiday called Pentecost. They came from many different countries and spoke many different languages. Some disciples of Jesus were in a room all together when a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole room they were sitting in. Bursts of fire skipped in all directions and danced on the wind. Then, what looked like tongues of fire settled on each person. The Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire on each of them.
They started talking in languages they did not know. Joy filled their hearts like it never had before, it was a joyful love so powerful that they had to tell everyone. Jesus’ Holy Spirit had come down from heaven. “Hallelujah! Praise God!” the Christians shouted. Christians are people who believe in Jesus.
When people heard the disciples loudly speaking their different languages, people were shocked and came running to see what was going on. “How are you able to speak all these many languages?”
Then Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples stood up and said to the crowd, “Listen to my words. Everything you’ve heard about Jesus is true. The prophets told us this would happen.” Then Peter told them about God’s plan. “God sent Jesus to save us from sin, the bad things we have done. He died on a cross, but God raised Him from the dead. Jesus went up to heaven, and now He’s sent us the Holy Spirit. This is why you see us so filled with joy. It’s Jesus’ love filling our hearts. He has come to live in our hearts forever!”
After the people heard this, some of them wanted Jesus in their hearts too. “What should we do to have Jesus live in our hearts?” they asked. Peter said, “Ask Jesus to forgive you from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and you will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” On that day, 3,000 people believed in Jesus and were baptized.
“Hurray!” said the disciples. “Now let’s go and tell the whole world about Jesus.” And that’s what they did.
The disciples did just what Jesus told them to do, they set out and told people about Jesus’ amazing love. Many churches were started because of this and to this day the Holy Spirit lives in you and me, teaches us and helps us everyday!
Bible Story Questions & Answers
Talk about what the Bible story was about by asking the children questions. You can decide ahead of time how you want them to answer the questions. I like to have the children raise their hand to answer the question. If they are incorrect that is fine. You can say what the answer is or ask: “Does anyone else have a thought or answer to the question?”
Questions to ask if you like:
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What was the name of the holiday that people were celebrating? (Pentecost)
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What came into the room where Jesus’ disciples were? (The Holy Spirit, tongues of fire. Children may say both or neither; one is great)
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Did they start talking in languages that they didn’t know? (Yes)
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Were they scared or filled with joy? (Filled with joy)
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What was the name of the disciple who talked to the crowd of people? (Peter)
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Is the Holy Spirit that feeling you get inside that tells you if you are making a good choice or a bad choice? (Yes)
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Does the Holy Spirit live with you, teach you and help you? (Yes)
Prayer
While sitting on the floor with criss cross legs, have the children repeat after you. You can have them fold their hands and close their eyes or just sit quietly and say after you. Following is a prayer written out that you can use, or you can make up your own.
Dear God (children repeat)
Thank you for this day. (children repeat)
Thank you for sending (children repeat)
your Holy Spirit (children repeat)
to be my helper (children repeat)
all the time. (children repeat)
I love You (children repeat)
Amen (children repeat)
