COMMON GROUND WEEK 1: THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT SEPTEMBER 16, At a Glance The Holy Spirit is God John 14:15-18; John 16:7-15

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2 COMMON GROUND WEEK 1: THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 At a Glance The Holy Spirit is God John 14:15-18; John 16:7-15 Main Idea: The Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity. Older Kids Memory Verse: 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth. John 14:16-17a Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Teacher Devotional When I read the Bible, I just don t understand it. Have you ever heard someone say that? Most people have read parts of the Bible. The fact is, most cannot comprehend its relevance without a special supernatural Guide to enlighten their minds. That Guide is God Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity who indwells the Christian at conversion. Therefore, we are the Spirit s temples (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving them. But He promised that God would send another Helper, the Spirit of truth, to be with them. Jesus said the Helper is the Holy Spirit who indwells and strengthens Christians spiritually. The Holy Spirit supernaturally illuminates the believer s mind to understand Scripture in ways unbelievers cannot. The Holy Spirit also provides spiritual power to live a successful Christian life if we as believers yield our wills daily to His control. The Holy Spirit would replace Jesus physical presence by permanently indwelling followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps followers of Jesus understand all things and reminds them of everything Jesus said. o What is the relationship of being Spirit-filled to how you feel emotionally? o How does being a temple of the Holy Spirit affect your moral decisions? 1

3 Large Group Introduce the Story Option for Younger Kids: What is It? Supplies: Marker board (or large sheets of paper), markers Whisper to a volunteer an item she may draw while others try to guess what she is drawing. Play several times with different volunteers using objects such as a boat, fish, a heart, a tree, a rainbow, a house, a car, a bird, or a cat. End by asking a child to draw wind. Ask if anyone can see the wind. Ask if they can see what the wind does. Ask if wind is even a real thing. Explain that in today s Bible story, Jesus talks about something that is real but cannot be seen. Option for Older Kids: Crack the Code Supplies: Foam ball or other soft object that can be tossed Challenge kids to memorize strings of words and numbers: Read aloud one of the following strings of words and numbers: 37, 52, banana, 71, 14, earlobe, hedgehog, 60 Montana, 47, 3, 22, 12, exhaust fan, Tanzania, Aunt Clara 3 tablespoons salt, 87, 24, 11, sewing machine oil, 48, 4, cotton balls Lead kids to stand, form a circle, and toss the ball from person to person as they say each number or phrase in the series. Congratulate kids for their excellent short-term memories. Tell them that, unfortunately, people often forget what they hear about or read in the Bible. That is one reason God sent the Holy Spirit to help people remember and understand more about God. Tell the Bible Story Supplies: Teaching Picture 1 Remind the group that the four Gospels tell about Jesus life. Name them together. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.) Instruct the kids to locate any Gospel and to tell you or a teacher near them which one they located. Direct all kids to find the Gospel of John in their Bibles. Explain that today s Bible story is found in John 14. 2

4 Call attention to the Teaching Picture and ask who is in it. Explain that today s Bible story is not what we usually think of as a story, but is what Jesus told His followers about the Holy Spirit. Keep your Bible open to John 14 as you share the Bible content in your own words. The Holy Spirit Jesus told His followers that the way to show their love for Him was to obey His commandments. Jesus also explained that He did not want His followers to be left without help or care. He promised that God would send them a special Helper. This Helper was the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His followers that they would soon know for sure that He was God s Son. Jesus repeated that obeying His commands was the way they could show love to Him. Judas, not the one who betrayed Jesus but another man with the same name, asked, Why will You show Yourself to us but not to everyone? For a third time, Jesus explained that anyone who loved Him would keep His commands. He promised that He and His Father would be with anyone who is obedient. However, Jesus also told His followers that anyone who does not keep His commandments does not love Him. Then Jesus told His followers that the Holy Spirit would teach them and would remind them of everything Jesus taught. Based on John 14:15-26 Option for Older Kids: Muffin Match Supplies: Muffin tin, table tennis ball, cupcake liners. Write each reference inside a cupcake liner. Place liners in the muffin tin. Ephesians 4:32 Hebrews 13:16 Proverbs 12:22 Colossians 3:20 Hebrews 13:5 Proverbs 27:2 3

5 Invite a child to bounce the ball into the muffin tin. Remove the cupcake liner where the ball lands and assist the kids in finding the verse in their Bibles. Invite a child to read aloud the verse and share a situation when the Holy Spirit might need to remind him of the verse. Continue play with all the verses. Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to help kids understand the Bible and guide them to make right decisions. Small Group Time (Dismiss to Groups) Learn the Memory Verse Older Kids Memory Verse: 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth. John 14:16-17a Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Younger Kids Supplies: Beanbag, construction paper, marker. Write the memory verse on a large sheet of construction paper. Guide kids to sit in a circle. Place the memory verse in the center of the circle. Comment that one way the Holy Spirit helps us is by giving us the courage to tell others about Jesus. Pass a beanbag around the circle as quickly as possible. When you say: Stop, the child with the beanbag will toss it onto the memory verse. Guide kids to say the verse, stopping at the word closest to the beanbag. Continue play until children become familiar with the entire verse. Older Kids Supplies: Music player, music CD, construction paper, marker. Write the memory verse on a large sheet of construction paper. Read aloud the verse from the poster. Tell kids to repeat the verse with you. Play a song and tell kids to move around the room. When you stop the music, kids can move to a corner of the room (or designated area). Point to a corner, and that group of kids can say the verse. Start the music for kids to move again. Repeat several times. 4

6 Apply the Bible Story Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Apply and Pray Ask what Jesus said three times about how His followers can show their love to Him. (By obeying His commands.) Ask the kids to share what commands they know God wants them to obey. Emphasize that the Holy Spirit helps them remember those commands. And if they ask, the Holy Spirit will help them obey God s commands. Tell the children to think about one or two commands they know Jesus wants them to obey. Suggest that the kids silently ask God to help them remember and do what He commands. Add an Amen after a pause. Review the Main Idea with kids by asking them to repeat it after you: The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity. God is Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. Apply the Main Idea Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Seek and Find Supplies: Blindfold Remind kids that the Holy Spirit helps them by reminding them of God s words and guiding them to make good decisions. Guide kids to stand in a circle. Blindfold a volunteer and tell him to stand in the middle of the circle. Explain that you will join the circle and call the child s name. The blindfolded child will attempt to find you by listening for your voice. Try the game one time and instruct the other kids to remain silent. Play the game a second time and invite the other children to speak his name as well. Challenge the child in the middle to listen only for your voice and to follow it. Debrief by leading a discussion. Comment that the Holy Spirit will always lead kids to make decisions that honor God, but it will always be up to them to make the right choices that honor Him. 5

7 Option for Older Kids: Helping Charades Supplies: Index cards, marker. Write the following situations on a separate index card and fold each card in half: Carrying a heavy couch, Completing math homework, Winning a basketball game, Defeating a video game, Building a dog house. Explain that written on each Helping Charades card is a situation in which a person might need help. Encourage one volunteer to select a card. He will read the card and act out the situation on the card as if trying to do the activity by himself. Then allow the volunteer to choose an assistant to act out the activity with help. Invite the child who guesses correctly to act out the next charade. Play as time allows. Tell kids that there are things that require help to do. Jesus knew His followers would need help to understand the Bible and live it out. Instruct kids to spend a few quiet moments praying about the areas that they most need the Holy Spirit to help them. Review Option for PreK and Younger Kids Supplies: Index cards. Write questions about today s story on individual index cards. Remind boys and girls that God sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper. Invite one child to step outside of the room or turn his back to the group and close his eyes. Hide one of the review questions somewhere in the room. Invite the child back into the room and instruct him to look for the hidden question. Explain that the group will be his helpers by clapping loudly when he is close to the question and clapping softly when he is far away. Read the question and guide kids to answer. See the review questions for answers to the true/false questions. Play the game until kids find all the questions, or as time allows. Option for Older Kids Supplies: Sticky notes, pencils Give each kid a sticky note and pencil. Tell them to write something they remember that Jesus said about the Holy Spirit. Ask for volunteers to read what they wrote. Talk about their ideas. Tell all kids to stick their notes onto the Teaching Picture. 6

8 Pray Thank God for wanting people to know Him better. Thank Him for His Holy Spirit. Activity/Take Home Sheets Use the remaining group time to complete the activity sheets for this week s lesson ( 01_Sept16_Younger and 01_Sept16_Older ). If you run out of time, send the sheets home for kids to review during the week. 7

9 THE HOLY SPIRIT JOHN 14:15-26 TEACHING PICTURE 10 PRINTED IN THE USA

10 The Holy Spirit Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 As Jesus was talking with His disciples, He said to them, If you really love me, obey My commands. The person who does all that I have said is a person who truly loves Me. My Father and I will love him in return. Jesus told the disciples that soon He would be leaving. The disciples did not understand what He meant. Jesus told them, Do not worry! I will come back to you. In the meantime, God will give you another Comforter who will be with you forever. Jesus did not want the disciples and His friends to be left without Someone to help them follow and understand His commands. Jesus called the Comforter the Spirit of truth. The Comforter would teach the disciples all they needed to know and remind them of everything they had learned from Jesus. Jesus told the disciples that this Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would come to people who love Him and keep His commandments. People who do not love Jesus would not be able to know the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained that the message He was sharing was a message from God. BASED ON JOHN 14:15-26 THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT WEEK 1: The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses September 16, 2018 At a Glance : The Holy Spirit Is God John 14:15-18; John 16:7-15 Main Idea: The Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity. Review Questions? How did Jesus tell the disciples to show their love for Him? (obeying His commands)? How did the disciples respond when Jesus said He would be leaving soon? (They did not understand what Jesus meant.)? True/False: Jesus said He was leaving and never coming back. (false)? Whom did Jesus say God would send while He was gone? (Answers could include: a Comforter, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit)? What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do? (remind us of Jesus words and help us to understand them)? True/False: Jesus promised to send the Helper only to those who love Him and keep His commandments. (true)? True/False: Jesus explained that the message He was sharing was a message from God. (true)

11 The Promise of the Spirit The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses September 16, 2018 &od 'l)\otltl6d for Ew6r1th\t\ After Jesus rose from the dead and went back to heaven, God knew that those who believed in Jesus would need someone to guide and comfort them. The Holy Spirit does that! He gives believers a way to talk with God and for God to talk to them. The Holy Spirit also helps believers know how to be more like Jesus. Aren't you glad that God sent the Holy Spirit? i'.l 20 I 5 LifeWay

12 WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT He knew that those who believed in Jesus would need someone to The Promise of the Spirit The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses September 16, 2018 guide and comfort them. So what does the Bible say about the Holy Spirit? Use different colored markers to follow the mazes! G s H P TO O 2015 LifeWay

13 family devotionals Round #1: The Promise of the Spirit READING: Grab a Bible or your Bible App and Read John 14: If you have a child who is of reading age allow them to read as this will help keep their attention and with reading comprehension. GAME ON: What does Jesus say he will ask the Father for? (Possible Answers: Counselor, Friend) Who is Jesus referring to? (Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth) In vs. 17 why does it say the world will not accept him? (because they can t see him) The verse goes on to say but you know him. Why would they know him? (because they were the disciples. Note: Make it clear to your children that just like the disciples loved, believed in and followed Jesus we can too and THAT S why we also can have the Holy Spirit in us. BONUS ROUND: HOLY SPIRIT WORD SCRAMBLE (Hands on activity to better understand the lesson.) (Adapted from I Want to Know About the Holy Spirit by R. Osbourne and K.C. Bowler) 1. You can t understand a certain Bible passage. You pray for help to understand and it becomes clearer to you. R E H T C A E 2. You ve studied for tomorrow s big test but you re still nervous and can t sleep. You pray for God s help and peace and trust him to answer. Soon you re sound asleep. E M R O T F R C O 3. You just can t decide how to deal with the school bully. If you re nice, he beats you up, If you re mean, he beats you up. You pray and ask God for advice. U O C L N R E S O 4. Your brother does something to really annoy you. You re tempted to fight back. You know that s not what God would want so you stop and pray. Soon your anger leaves and you can talk to your bother calmly. E L R P H E LEVEL UP: (More In Depth. A good challenge for older students.) Read John 16:7-15 What does this passage say the Holy Spirit will do? (convict the world of guilt) What will the Spirit lead us to? (truth) Who does the Holy Spirit get his message from? (God/Jesus because they are one. Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

14 COMMON GROUND WEEK 2: THE PASSION OF THE SPIRIT SEPTEMBER 23, 2018 At a Glance The Holy Spirit Will Help People Acts 2 Main Idea: The Holy Spirit helps people tell others about God. Older Kids Memory Verse: The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Teacher Devotional The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost initiated the church. Jesus had taught the disciples that it was better for Him to depart so that the Holy Spirit would come. There was a sound of a powerful wind a sound that others outside the house could hear. There were tongues like flames of fire resting on each believer. Now empowered, they began to witness about Jesus, miraculously in other languages. Their new abilities amazed their hearers. Truly, the Holy Spirit was taking the good news about Jesus to the next level in each believer. Peter was changed. Instead of the disciple who had denied Jesus, he now stood with confidence to speak. Peter told the truth about Jesus life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Peter boldly proclaimed the resurrection. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, accused the people of crucifying the Son of God. The Holy Spirit convicted the people so that they cried out, asking what they should do. The Holy Spirit arrived, the church began, and the message of the church was clear. Three thousand people were baptized. That must have made an impression over all Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit united the new believers through study and fellowship, and through meals and prayer. The best part of this story is that the Holy Spirit was not finished. The same Holy Spirit empowers us today, and He wants us to share the good news of Jesus with our 1

15 families, friends, and people in the uttermost parts of the earth. o What is your favorite method for sharing your faith in Christ with someone who o needs to hear it? o What is the Holy Spirit s role in our practice of personal evangelism? Large Group Introduce the Story Option for PreK: Tell All About It Invite kids to sit in a circle. Explain that kids will go around the circle, saying only one word as they tell you about a certain topic. Lead kids to work together to create complete sentences. Use topics such as your town, the best place to get pizza, or a sport that most of them play. Begin each topic with a different child. Share that in today s Bible story, the disciples worked together to tell people about God. Option for Older Kids: Strike A Pose Supplies: Copy paper, writing utensil (one for each child) Option: Prewrite on all of the papers according to the directions below. Lead kids to find partners. Blindfold one partner in each group, or tell her to close her eyes. Strike a silly or complicated pose, such as cross right leg over left leg, put your right arm over the top of your head, and wink your left eye. If you have an odd number of kids, prompt the leftover person to strike the pose for you. Instruct Partner A in each pair to describe the silly pose to the blindfolded partner. The blindfolded partner must do the motions that Partner A is describing. The first pair to make exactly the same pose wins the round. Switch partners, choose a new leader, and play again. Commend kids for correctly instructing their teammates how to pose. Explain that in today s Bible story, the Holy Spirit helped believers correctly and powerfully tell others about Jesus. 2

16 Review the Main Idea with kids by asking them to repeat it after you: The Holy Spirit helps people tell others about God. Tell the Bible Story Supplies: Teaching Picture 2 One at a time, give clues to help kids identify each of the following professions: doctor, math teacher, coach, flight attendant, pastor. After kids guess a profession, guide them to name things that a person in that profession might tell other people: o Doctor (what medicine to take) o Math teacher (how to add and subtract) o Coach (how to play a sport) o Flight attendant (where to find the exits on a plane) o Pastor (how to trust Jesus as Savior) Show the Teachign Picture and explain that in today s Bible story, the disciples had many important things to say to the people. Encourage kids to listen for what the disciples said as you open the Bible to Acts 2 and share the Bible story. The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses On a special day called Pentecost, Jesus followers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were staying. The Holy Spirit came to the believers like fiery flames and rested on them. When that happened, the believers were able to speak in different languages. Travelers from all over were in the city of Jerusalem. When they heard these sounds, a crowd gathered. The men were confused. They wondered, Aren t these people from Galilee? How is it that we can hear them in the languages of Asia, Libya, Egypt, and Rome? Some of the people made fun of the disciples and said, They are not in their right minds! Peter stood up and announced, Let me explain! Pay attention! God s Holy Spirit has made this possible so that we can tell you about Jesus. You allowed evil people to nail Jesus to a cross and kill Him, but God raised Him from the dead! We have seen Him! You need to know that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah! 3

17 When the people heard this, they became upset and filled with guilt. They asked Peter and the disciples, What must we do to be saved? Peter said, Confess your sins and turn away from them. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God has made this promise to you and your family and to people far away. Those who believed Peter s message believed Jesus was the Savior and were baptized. That day, about 3,000 people were added to the believers and formed the first church. They listened and learned all that the disciples taught. They met with other believers to eat together and to pray. - Based on Acts 2 Option for Older Kids: Stationary Dodgeball Supplies: Soft foam ball Lead kids to form a circle for a game of stationary dodgeball. Choose a thrower and a catcher. The thrower will stand in the center of the circle and toss the ball at the other players shoulder to knee level only. Players in the circle may duck and dodge, but they must leave one foot planted in place at all times. The catcher will retrieve and toss the ball back to the thrower. Prompt tagged players to finish this sentence: Telling others about God is hard because... After responding, he will become the new catcher, and the catcher will become the new thrower. Repeat several times. Emphasize that Peter and the disciples did not speak on their own. The Holy Spirit gave them power and the words to say. Remind kids that even though they might feel inadequate to speak about Jesus, God will give them power, courage, and the words to say when they need them. 4

18 Small Group Time (Dismiss to Groups) Learn the Memory Verse Older Kids Memory Verse: The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Younger Kids Supplies: Write the memory verse on a large sheet of construction paper. Adhere to wall. Display the Memory Verse for a few seconds and then cover it. Challenge kids to say the verse. Explain that one thing we can tell people is that Jesus is risen. Kids can also tell others Bible verses they know. Lead kids to find and read Galatians 5:25 in their Bibles. Explain that the Holy Spirit helps Christians understand God s instructions and obey them. Older Kids Supplies: Write the memory verse on a large sheet of construction paper. Lead kids to recall the memory verse or read it from the prepared paper. Guide kids to form groups of three. After reviewing the memory verse, lead each trio to say the verse from memory, one person and one word at a time, punctuating each word with a dramatic gesture. Allow each group to practice saying the verse several times with their dramatic gestures. 5

19 Apply the Bible Story Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Name 5 Emphasize that through the Holy Spirit, God gave Peter and the disciples power to preach the good news of Jesus. Share that people today need the Holy Spirit s power to tell people about God. Form three groups of kids. Lead groups to name the following: Group 1: Five people kids can tell about God. Group 2: Five places they can tell people about God. Group 3: Five things they can say about God. Help kids understand that they can talk to people about God and Jesus because the Holy Spirit helps them know who to tell, where to tell, and what to say. Lead the kids to pray and thank God for sending the Holy Spirit to help them. Apply the Main Idea Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Flip the Cups Supplies: Table, 16-ounce plastic cups (2 per child), permanent markers Give two cups to each child. Lead each child to write inside one cup a word that describes God. Offer suggestions such as loving, forgiving, Creator, mighty, wise, and powerful. Lead each child to write the name of a person inside the other cup. Suggest kids write the name of a friend, family member, neighbor, teacher, or coach. Lead kids to place all the cups with the descriptions of God upside down on one edge of a table and all the cups with names of people upside down on the opposite edge. Make sure that cups are spaced out and half of the rim of each cup extends over the edge of the table. Give each child a turn to flip over a cup that describes God and a cup that names a person. Kids will attempt to land the cups upright on the table. When a child succeeds, guide him to read aloud the words on both cups and lead all kids to share what they could say about God to the person. Give each child several turns to flip cups. Remind kids that the Holy Spirit helped Peter tell people about Jesus. Kids do not have to be afraid to tell others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give them power and help them. 6

20 Option for Older Kids: Beanbag Toss Supplies: Several baskets or containers, beanbags or paper balls, paper, marker Prep: Print point values on the paper, and put one in each basket. Set the containers in a line, with lowest point value closest to the toss line and highest point value furthest from the toss line. Group kids into teams. Players from each team will take turns tossing beanbags into the containers. If a player misses the containers on the first toss, he can have a second toss. If he misses the second toss, he moves back into his team s line. When a beanbag lands in a container, ask the team to name a way that the Holy Spirit helps people. If the team gives an acceptable answer, award the points for that container. If the team repeats an answer that has already been given, no points are awarded. Review Option for PreK and Younger Kids Supplies: Chairs, index cards with stars of different color ink on them, blank cards, tape, music CD and player Set chairs randomly around the room (one chair per kid). Tape a card underneath each chair. Play music and lead kids to walk around the chairs in the room. Stop the music; every kid should sit in a chair. Exclaim, Red star! All kids should look under their chairs. The kid(s) with the red star should stand. Ask a question about today s Bible story and those kids can answer. Play music and kids can move again. Continue stopping the music and calling out star color. After a few rounds, exclaim, No star! All kids with blank cards should stand. Lead these kids to say the Memory Verse. Option for Older Kids Supplies: Two beanbags, bell or tap light, music CD and player Set the bell or tap light on a table in the middle of the play area. Group the kids into two teams. Teams should move to opposite sides of the play area (opposite sides of the table). Each team should form a circle. Play music and each team passes a beanbag around the circle. Stop the music unexpectedly. The two kids holding the beanbags should come to the table. 7

21 Ask a question about the Bible story and the first kid to hit the bell or tap light gets an opportunity to answer. If the answer is correct, the team gets a point. If not, the other team may answer for a point. The two players move back to their circles; start the music again. Pray Pray. Ask God to help kids be aware of the Holy Spirit s promptings when they have opportunities to share about Jesus. Activity/Take Home Sheets Use the remaining group time to complete the activity sheets for this week s lesson ( 02_Sept23_Younger and 02_Sept23_Older ). If you run out of time, send the sheets home for kids to review during the week. 8

22 THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS WITNESSES ACTS 2:1-15,22-24,32-33,36-42 PICTURE 9 PRINTED IN THE USA Acts LifeWay

23 The Passion of the Holy Spirit Week 1: The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses September 23, 2018 At a Glance: The Holy Spirit will help people. Acts 2 The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses Main Idea: The Holy Spirit helps people tell others about God. Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 On a special day called Pentecost, Jesus followers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like wind came from heaven and illed the whole house where they were staying. The Holy Spirit came to the believers like iery lames and rested on them. When that happened, the believers were able to speak in diferent languages. Travelers from all over were in the city of Jerusalem. They were faithful men from every nation under heaven. When they heard these sounds, a crowd gathered. The men were confused. They wondered, Aren t these people from Galilee? How is it that we can hear them in the languages of Asia, Libya, Egypt, and Rome? Some of the people made fun of the disciples and said, They are not in their right minds! Peter stood up and announced, Let me explain! Pay attention! God s Holy Spirit has made this possible so that we can tell you about Jesus. You allowed evil people to nail Jesus to a cross and kill Him, but God raised Him from the dead! We have seen Him! You need to know that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah! When the people heard this, they became upset and illed with guilt. They asked Peter and the disciples, What must we do to be saved? Peter said, Confess your sins and turn away from them. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God has made this promise to you and your family and to people far away. Those who believed Peter s message believed Jesus was the Savior and were baptized. That day about 3,000 people were added to the believers and formed the irst church. They listened and learned all that the disciples taught. They met with other believers to eat together and to pray. ACTS 2:1-15,22-24,32-33,36-42 Review Questions? What special ability did the Holy Spirit give Jesus followers? (the ability to speak in different languages)? After the people heard Peter speak, what did they ask? ( What must we do to be saved? )? What did Peter tell the people that they needed to do to be saved? (Confess your sins and turn away from them; be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.)? How many people believed in Jesus after Peter preached? (3,000)? Name some activities the believers in the irst church did when they met together (listened and learned all that the disciples taught; ate together and prayed)? What is something you can tell a friend about Jesus? (Answers will vary.) 2017 LifeWay

24 THE PASSION OF THE SPIRIT /.. le l t " 1///,.,. "', )I.,.,t. If,.. 1' " 1' /4.,. "' "' T e \-\o\1 Spivit e\ps people Q) ot evs "''coiat Goe,(. UV\S v"'m'c\e t e \ettevs "'"'t:i( wvite t e wove,( '"',. e"' spee 'cia'c'c\e. "'.... J... 1' The Holy Spirit helps people tell others about God. September 23, 2018 /4.,_...,,. kespa,.,_,,. )', "..,. f iv\ti( l,\v\ti( Ve,l,\t'( PSl,\IW\ <=JG, -i. Whl,\t C,l,\V\ OIA te,n pe,ople, l,\\,01at Got{?.,.,t. If, 1'.. /4. /4. ' ' '.... ',,, )4 /4. '

25 The HolY So\nt Emoowers Witnesses [I T e V\. evev\t fvom too< y t c; \3i\7\e c;tovy V\o( PIAt yo1.tvc;e\f iv\ tne pie-t1.tve. tjv w c;e\fie c; it wo1.t\o{ n ve \oo eo( OV\ tne o< y Petev pve e-neo( iv\ J"ev1.tc; \em. THE PASSION OF THE SPIRIT The Holy Spirit helps people tell others about God SEPTEMBER 23, (!) :;!, u u 0 a: u.j,...,... a: u.j 1rJJm[iJ!11mmmmt1[1] Tnvee wovo(c; iv\ tne \ic;t C, V\V\Ot \7e f OIAV\o( iv\ tnic; WOVo( "IAV\-c;e ve,n," evev\ w ev\ yo1.t \oo o(i 10V\ \\y V\o( \7 e, w vo(. Those words will complete this statement based on M ttnew,0,1.0. Those words also explain why you don 1 t have ' to be uneasy about sharing your faith. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE G A V E N 0 G N I R p u R E A F J X N 0 s X z I ANYONE PE SON E,t\Lll..E R z J H T y N A F D K N I H T N D E R w L I z E z D y A p G R E p R J 0 L L D T s PEAl'-IN G T\ \IN \'-ING T\-\ OUG\-\ T AINING UN1)E you,

26 family devotionals Round#2: The Passion of the Spirit READING: Grab a Bible or your Bible App and head outside! Once settled on a porch or a blanket outside, Read Acts 2:2 and John 3:8. If you have a child who is of reading age allow them to read as this will help keep their attention and with reading comprehension. GAME ON: Take a minute to look around you. Maybe sit a second with your eyes closed. What do you see? What do you feel? Is it a windy day? Is there a slight breeze? Does the wind move the trees? Have you seen a strong storm with high winds that move the trees a lot? You can t see the actual wind but you can see what it does. You can feel it on your skin, you can see the leaves moving. In the same way, we cannot see the Holy Spirit but we can see and experience what He does in our life. Just like the leaves are moved by the wind, we can be moved by the Spirit to do something kind for someone else. BONUS ROUND: (Hands on activity to better understand the lesson.) Supplies Needed: Paper and some pencils/crayons. Have each family member draw a picture, or you can do one picture as an entire family. Draw a picture of wind. Hmm kind of hard, right? How do you represent wind in a drawing? Swishes that show the leaves moving or bent branches?? Now flip over your paper and draw the Holy Spirit. Also hard to draw, right? Think of ways the Spirit helps us and draw that. Examples: Comfort when we are sad. Helps us to pray. Courage when we are scared. LEVEL UP: (More In Depth. A good challenge for older students.) Read 1 Corinthians 2: What does the Spirit help us know and understand? (the thoughts of God) What does it mean, that we may understand what God has freely given us? (Romans 6:23 -the gift of God is eternal life (heaven) in Christ Jesus)

27 THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT WEEK 3: PAUL WROTE A FINAL LETTER TO TIMOTHY SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 At a Glance The Holy Spirit helps people understand God s power and love. Acts 2 Main Idea: The Holy Spirit helps people understand God s power and love. Older Kids Memory Verse: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Teacher Devotional In the summer of 1967, the Beatles led the world in singing, All You Need Is Love. This song actually came about from a request for the group to come up with a song that could be understood by people of all nations. What is it that all people want? Love. Where can people find the type of love they are searching for? The Bible tells us that God is love. It is not just something He does, but who He is. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him. The Bible has been referred to as God s love letter to us. In It He tells us He loves us, and He shows us how He demonstrates His love for us. Through the Bible, we can know Him and find His instructions for how to live. 2 Timothy tells us that Christ came to save us, not because of anything we have done but because of God s grace. Why would God voluntarily send His Son to suffer and die for us? There is only one answer: love. (Read Romans 5:8.) So how can people understand that God loves them? Read the Bible. Think about the ways the Holy Spirit helps you understand God s love and power. Read and meditate on the verses for this week. o How does the Holy Spirit demonstrate His power and love to you today? 1

28 o How can you help children understand the significance of the Scriptures in this age of text messages, s, and social media? o How can you communicate the love of God to the kids in your group in a way that they can understand? Large Group Introduce the Story Option for Younger Kids: Secret Message Supplies: Index cards, pencils Provide each child with an index card and pencil. Encourage each child to write or draw on his card one thing he could tell a friend about Jesus. Seat the kids in a circle and lead one child to whisper his fact about Jesus to the person on his left. The person on the left will then whisper the fact to the next person and the secret will continue around the circle. Compare the message that travels completely around the circle to the message the child wrote on his card. Choose another child with a different message and continue the game. Comment that people can tell others what they know about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give them power and love to help them tell others about Jesus. Option for Older Kids: Strike A Pose Supplies: Copy paper, writing utensil (one for each team) Option: Pre-write on all of the papers according to the directions below. Form a girls team and a boys team. Direct teams to stand in single file lines and hand a marker to the first person in each line. Explain that kids may not speak or tell their friends what they are writing. With your finger, write the letter T on the back of the last person in line. She will use her finger to write the same letter on the person standing in front of her, and so on. After the letter reaches the first person in line, he will write the letter on the board. Continue in the same way, transmitting this phrase down the line: THE MESSAGE. Compare the actual message with what was written down. 2

29 Tell kids that the power of the Holy spirit will help them understand God s love for all people. The Holy Spirit will help them share God s message of love to all people. Review the Main Idea with kids by asking them to repeat it after you: The Holy Spirit helps people understand God s power and love. Tell the Bible Story Supplies: Teaching Picture 3, construction paper, markers, tape Prep: Write Know on one paper and Do on another. Attach to different walls in the room. Display the Teaching Picture and tell the Bible story. Explain that you will read aloud several verses from Paul s letter to Timothy. If the verse is something Paul wanted Timothy to know, kids should walk to the Know sign. If the verse is something that Paul wanted Timothy to do, kids should walk to the Do sign. Read aloud each of these verses one at a time, allowing kids to respond to each one: 2 Timothy 1:7 (Know) 2 Timothy 1:8 (Do) 2 Timothy 1:12 (Know) 2 Timothy 1:13 (Do) 2 Timothy 3:14 (Do) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Know) Ask: What do these verses tell us about the Holy Spirit s power and love? Paul Wrote a Final Letter to Timothy Paul was in prison when he wrote a letter to his friend, Timothy. This letter was the last letter that Paul wrote to his friend. In the letter, Paul thanked God for Timothy. Paul told Timothy that he prayed for him every night and day. Paul remembered how Timothy had first lived with his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, and how they taught him about God and having faith in Him. Paul knew that Timothy s faith was real and genuine. Paul reminded Timothy that God had not given them a spirit of fear, but one of power, 3

30 love, and sound judgment. Paul told Timothy to share his testimony about Jesus with everyone and to rely on the power of God. Paul shared that even though he had suffered and was in prison, he knew that God would take care of him. Paul wanted Timothy to also have faith in God. Paul told Timothy to remember the things that he had been taught and to remember that the Holy Spirit lived in him. He reminded Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and can be used to teach people, remind them of God s laws, correct them, and train them to serve God. Based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14; 3:14-17 Option for Older Kids: Beanbag Toss Supplies: Beanbag, whistle Guide kids to form a circle and toss a beanbag across the circle. Periodically blow a whistle to stop play. The child holding the beanbag will share a way that the Holy Spirit shows God s power and love. Continue until each kid has answered. You can vary it by asking some children to share a way that the Holy Spirit s power helps them. Small Group Time (Dismiss to Groups) Learn the Memory Verse Older Kids Memory Verse: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Younger Kids Supplies: Use the verse poster you created last week. Pair up the kids to practice the verse. Lead Partner 1 to say the first part of the verse, and Partner 2 to finish it. Practice a few times. Then change partners, allowing each person to say both parts of the verse. 4

31 Older Kids Supplies: Crepe paper streamer or surveyors tape. Display the verse. Review the verse with kids. Hand the streamer or surveyors tape to a volunteer. Challenge her to write in the air any word from the verse by waving the streamer. The first player to correctly identify the word and say the verse from memory may be the next writer. Continue as time permits. Invite a volunteer to thank God for His faithful, everlasting love. Apply the Bible Story Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Remember It Explain that the Bible is God s message and instructions for how to live. The Bible shows God s great love for us. As time allows, invite kids to name stories and truths from the Bible they have learned during the years they have been in church. Ask kids to think of ways the Holy Spirit can help them. Pray, thanking God for using Paul to write letters that we can still read today. Ask God to guide kids to read God s Word and thank Him that the Holy Spirit will help them understand more about how much God loves them. Apply the Main Idea Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Create Coloring Pages Supplies: Marker board, dry erase marker, pencils, black markers, drawing paper Suggest that there are many ways to tell people about Jesus. Ask someone to describe the pictures in a coloring book. Note that the pictures are line drawings, usually in black, with open spaces for a child to color. Invite the kids to make coloring pages that tell preschoolers something about Jesus. Brainstorm possible Bible stories that the kids could draw. Write the stories on the marker board. Remind the kids to use simple drawings that fill most of the page. Suggest that kids lightly draw with a pencil first, then trace over their lines with black markers. Suggest that kids may want to add at the bottom of their pages a Bible phrase like, The Holy Spirit is powerful. 5

32 Allow kids with younger brothers, sisters, or cousins to take a coloring page home for their family members. Option for Older Kids: Group Juggling Supplies: Red ball, blue ball, green ball (used to juggle) Option: If you don t have those specific color balls, use three different colors of balls. Assign questions at the end of the activity accordingly. Guide kids to read 2 Timothy 1:5-7. Ask: Who first told you about the Bible? Challenge kids to recall the first Bible stories they heard. Emphasize the value of being a lifelong Bible learner. Guide kids to form a circle and toss the red ball from person to person in a random pattern until everyone catches the ball. Advise kids to remember the toss/catch order. Begin tossing the red ball in the same order, then start the blue ball around the circle, also in the same order. (Both balls will be in motion simultaneously.) When kids master the stunt with two balls, add the green ball. Challenge kids to continue the juggling pattern until you yell, Stop! Each person holding a ball should respond as follows: Red Tell something you have learned from the Bible. Blue What is something you would like to learn from the Bible? Green Name something you ve learned about the Holy Spirit. Repeat as time allows until everyone responds to each question. Review Option for PreK and Younger Kids Supplies: Copy paper, marker Prep: Print the following instructions on individual pieces of copy paper: bob your head, stand on one foot, turn around 3 times, tiptoe for 5 steps, walk backwards, touch your elbow with your knee. Crumple each paper into a ball. Place the paper balls you prepared in the center of the group. Invite a child to choose any ball and toss it to someone else. Explain that everyone will count each time the ball is tossed. On the fifth toss, the person who has the ball must open it and read it (or ask you to read it) to the group. Ask a question about today s story, and everyone who knows the answer must do the action that was read until you call on someone to answer. Invite another child to choose a paper ball and begin again. 6

33 Option for Older Kids Supplies: Beach ball, permanent marker Prep: Write questions about the Bible story on the beach ball. (If you don t want the ink to be permanent, write the questions on clear tape and attach each one to the ball. Option: You may blow up a balloon and write questions on it. Be sure to let the ink dry before you use it for the activity. Guide kids to form a circle. Toss the ball to a kid. When he catches the ball, he must answer the question his right thumb is touching. Continue tossing the beach ball around the room, instructing the kid who catches the ball to answer the question a particular finger or thumb is touching. Play until all of the questions for the session have been answered. Pray Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Ask God to let the Holy Spirit help boys and girls know and understand God s love for them. Activity/Take Home Sheets Use the remaining group time to complete the activity sheets for this week s lesson ( 03_Sept30_Younger and 03_Sept30_Older ). If you run out of time, send the sheets home for kids to review during the week. 7

34 PAUL WROTE A LETTER TO TIMOTHY 2018 LifeWay

35 THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT WEEK 3: Paul wrote letters to Timothy September 30, 2018 Paul Wrote a Letter to Timothy Paul was in prison when he wrote a letter to his friend, Timothy. This letter was the last letter that Paul wrote to his friend. In the letter Paul thanked God for Timothy. Paul told Timothy that he prayed for him every night and day. Paul remembered how Timothy had irst lived with his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, and how they taught him about God and having faith in Him. Paul knew that Timothy s faith was real and genuine. Paul reminded Timothy that God had not given them a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. Paul told Timothy to share his testimony about Jesus with everyone and to rely on the power of God. Paul shared that even though he had sufered and was in prison, he knew that God would take care of him. Paul wanted Timothy to also have faith in God. Paul told Timothy to remember the things that he had been taught and to remember that the Holy Spirit lived in him. He reminded Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and can be used to teach people, remind them of God s laws, correct them, and train them to serve God. 2 TIMOTHY 1:1-15; 3:14-17 At a Glance: The Holy Spirit helps people understand God's power and love. 2 Timothy 1 & 3 Main Idea: The Holy Spirit helps people understand God's power and love. Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal. 5:25 Review Questions? Who wrote the letters to Timothy? (Paul)? Who taught Timothy the Scriptures before he met Paul? (his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice)? What kind of spirit did Paul say that God had given them? (one of power, love, and sound judgement; not of fear)? Whom did Paul believe would take care of him, even while he was in prison? (God)? Who lived in Timothy to help him? (Holy Spirit)? How can people use Scripture? (to teach people, remind them of God s laws, correct them, and train them to serve God) 2018 LifeWay

36 POSTAGE STAMP match?au! Wrote a Letter to 1imotnY M te- t t post t st wips to lt l'v\ wioirt 'oo1at P 1Al 1 s firitv\o{s ip wit Tiwiot f FiV\ o( t t woiro(s t t o iv\ t e, StV\ttV\C-t. T tv\ c. oost t t e,oirirte-t pl e-t for t t woiro(s 'otfoirt wiritiv\ t twi iv\ t t sp e-ts. THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT The Holy Spirit helps people understand God's power and love. September 30, 2018 wrote letters to his friend, Paul's are in our WHICH WAY? - Paul gave Timothy for how to Paul thanked God for Timothy's and for his Paul said that all by is inspired 2018 LifcW.ay

37 The Bible has advice and encouragement for all kinds of real-life situations. What 1'-EYW0 t) would help these people search for the right words in God's Word? Wvite- DV\G DV\ e-t\c. mt\vl<,e,v. \ Q\m V\OT ood. t\t Q\V\ t ',i\v\ \' V\Ot WOVt'tt t\v\ t'ttlv\ THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT The Holy Spirit helps people understand God's power and love. September 30, mt\d.e, t\ re-vvi\,\e, mistt\fg, t\v\d. mi w o\e, ft\mi\i is mt\d..""r me,. VJ i wol.l\d. God. \o\fe, some,\,od.i \ife, me-? LOVE 6) WISE Scan these short stories. Draw an icon on each book to help readers know what to expect. ADVENTURE FUNNY STORY STORY CD THAT'S IN THE BIBLE? AD'v1CE 20 l8 LilcWay

38 family devotionals Round #3: The Power of the Spirit READING: Grab your Bible or Bible app and read 2 Timothy 1:7. If you have a child who is of reading age allow them to read as this will help keep their attention and with reading comprehension. GAME ON: What does this verse say God did NOT give us? (A spirit of fear or timidity) Instead God gave us what? (A spirit of power, love, self-discipline) This means if we are fearful or feeling shy we can pray and ask for strength, the courage to love and be responsible. Take time now as a family to pray and give your fears over to God. BONUS ROUND: (Hands on activity to better understand the lesson.) Supplies Needed: Post-Its and pens Have each family member write the verse 2 Timothy 1:7 on a Post-It. If some family members cannot write, make one for them. Write it in an interesting way to help the words stand out to you. Maybe you write the word FEAR in caps or love with a heart around it. Then have each family member pick a high traffic area in the house (bathroom mirror, fridge door) to stick their verse. Work together as a family to memorize the verse. Even test each other during the week to see how you are doing. LEVEL UP: (More In Depth. A good challenge for older students.) Read Romans 8: Remember we talked about how God does not give us a spirit of fear. In the same way the Spirit helps us when we pray. Sometimes we don t even know what to pray, sometimes we just can t pray. These verses remind us that the Holy Spirit can express what we cannot. Grab a journal or piece of paper, and try writing down your prayers. (If you have younger children, write down their prayers for them.) This could seem difficult if you have never done it before but when you feel STUCK in your prayers write, Holy Spirit intercede. (Intercede means to mediate or step in on someone s behalf.) Here is an example prayer: Dear God, My Grammy is so sick. I don t know what she needs to feel better but I know I want her to feel better. Holy Spirit intercede. I trust you God with my Grammy. Amen.

39 COMMON GROUND WEEK 4: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OCTOBER 7, 2018 At a Glance The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:16-26 Main Idea: The Holy Spirit helps people live like Jesus. Older Kids Memory Verse: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional: The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Teacher Devotional A local barbershop had this sign on the wall: Talking About Politics or Religion Prohibited! Most people don t like conflict, and they will avoid anything that might stir up an argument. Yet, when the issues are important enough, Christians must speak up. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians about how he had confronted Cephas (Peter). The apostles all agreed that in Christ, there was no difference between Jews and Gentiles (non-jews). This meant that Jewish and Gentile believers should fellowship as brothers and sisters. One way they demonstrated this relationship was sharing meals together, something that Jews normally would not do. Apparently, Peter and other Jewish believers (even Barnabas, who was well-known for his compassionate attitude) had been persuaded not to eat with Gentiles. Paul was incensed and confronted Peter publicly. Paul reminded Peter that all people come to God on the same basis not by law, but by grace through faith in Christ! Jesus died for all their sins, so no one had the right to regard himself as superior or more righteous. Paul said that believers spiritual lives are lived by dying to sin and living in Christ through faith. Toward the end of Galatians, we find the text for today s Bible story. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps believers live in a more Christlike way. 1

40 Large Group Introduce the Story Option for PreK: Fill the Basket Supplies: Plastic toy fruit, basket Place a basket on the ground and secure a piece of painter s tape to the ground a reasonable distance as a throw line. Point out to kids that you have placed a basket on the ground. Ask the kids to guess what you are going to put in the basket. Allow a few volunteers to answer. Tell kids that you want to fill the basket with fruit, but that they are going to help. Explain that each child will have a chance to stand behind the line and toss a piece of fruit into the basket. Allow kids to have a chance to fill the basket as time allows. Debrief the activity by explaining that today you will teach them about a different kind of fruit. It s not a fruit that they can eat, but one that God s Holy Spirit gives to people who love Him. It s called the Fruit of the Spirit. Direct kids to repeat the words, Fruit of the Spirit several times. Option for Older Kids: Tossed Fruit Salad Supplies: Copy paper, writing utensils (one for each child) Option: Prewrite on all of the papers according to the directions below. Form two groups of kids with a clear dividing line in the middle. You may want to place a tape line through the middle of the room. Give each child a piece of copy paper and something with which to write. Tell group 1 to write one of the following words on their papers. Each child can choose any word you tell them, but it can only be one word: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, or Kindness. Tell group 2 to write one of the following words on their papers. Each child can choose any word you tell them, but it can only be one word: Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, or Self-control. Ask the kids in both groups to form paper balls with their papers. Give the following directions. You must stay behind the line. For one minute, you are going to toss the balls back and forth across the room. Do not throw any ball directly at another player. When time is called, everyone must stop throwing. Allow the kids to toss the balls for one minute. 2

41 When time is called, ask one teacher to help each group sort their papers into stacks of the same words. Determine if either group has all nine of the Fruit of the Spirit. Congratulate the team with the most complete salad. Explain that these words are the called the Fruit of the Spirit. Explain that the Fruit of the Spirit is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian s life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Review the Main Idea with kids by asking them to repeat it after you: The Holy Spirit helps people live like Jesus. Tell the Bible Story Supplies: Teaching Picture 3, copy paper Option: Write the words love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control on separate pieces of paper. Open your Bible to Galatians 5 and invite kids to do the same. Distribute the prepared papers. Allow volunteers to hold up the words when you say them. Explain the first part of the story below comes from chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Galatians, but sets up the reason why Paul was writing to the church at Galatia about Christian living. The Fruit of the Spirit For many years, Jews and Gentiles (non-jews) lived apart. They avoided speaking to each other. They would not eat together. Paul wanted people to understand that Jesus died to save everyone, not just Jewish people. When Peter visited Paul at Antioch, he was friendly to the Gentile Christians. He spoke to them and ate meals with them...for a while. Then some church leaders also visited the Antioch Christians. These leaders insisted that Jewish Christians should follow Jewish rules including staying separate from the Gentiles. Peter did not want to offend the other visitors. So he stopped eating and spending time with the Gentile Christians at Antioch. 3

42 Paul was so disappointed with Peter, he scolded Peter in front of everyone. How can you expect Gentiles to follow Jewish rules? Paul asked. Paul wrote a letter to explain why he confronted Peter. In the letter, he wrote, Some people think they can be saved by following rules. That is impossible! If being righteous comes from the law, then Jesus died for nothing! I am dead to the law so I can live for God. Paul explained to the people that when they followed Jesus and wanted to live like Him, the Holy Spirit would give them the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is a collection of qualities that would help them love people like Jesus did. The Fruit of the Spirit is a collection of gifts from God. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. - Based on Galatians 1-2; 5:16-26 Show the Teaching Picture and remark, Paul taught Peter that God wanted us to love everyone. Paul wanted the church at Galatia to know that the Holy Spirit would help them love people like Jesus did. Option for Older Kids: Jesus Modeled the Fruit of the Spirit Supplies: Copy paper, tape, writing utensil (one per kid) Prep: Write one Fruit of the Spirit on separate sheets of copy paper (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). Attach each sign to walls around the room. Option: Use the papers created and used to tell the Bible story. Emphasize that Jesus modeled each of the Fruit of the Spirit throughout His life and ministry. Direct kids to look at the signs around the room. Ask kids to walk around the room and write different stories and things that they know about Jesus that show how He modeled each particular Fruit of the Spirit. (For example, Jesus showed patience with the tax collectors.) Allow the kids to move about the room, writing examples of how Jesus displayed the Fruit of the Spirit. Call for kids to return to their seats. Move throughout the room, sharing examples that the kids have written. Say: The Fruit of the Spirit will help you as you try to live more like Jesus. 4

43 Small Group Time (Dismiss to Groups) Learn the Memory Verse Older Kids Memory Verse: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Younger Kids Open your Bible to Galatians 5:25 and say the verse. Guide kids to march around the room, saying each word of the verse with each step. Announce to the kids that this is our unit verse we will study and learn for the next few weeks. Remind kids that the Spirit in Galatians 5:25 is God. Older Kids Open your Bible to Galatians 5:22-23 and read the verse aloud. Give 12 children a part of the memory verse: 1. But the fruit of the Spirit is 2. Love 3. Joy 4. Peace 5. Patience 6. Kindness 7. Goodness 8. Faithfulness 9. Gentleness 10. Self-Control 11. Against such things there is no law. 12. Galatians 5:22-23 If there are more that 12 children, have some take turns with a piece of the memory verse. Have them start and speak it out loud in order multiple times. 5

44 Remind the kids that this verse helps them remember that Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through them to produce this fruit in their lives. Apply the Bible Story Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Emoji Fun Supplies: Cheap paper plates, crayons (one for each child) Distribute one crayon and one paper plate to each child. Direct the kids to draw a smiley face on one side of the paper plate and a sad face on the other side of the paper plate. Tell the kids that you will say one of the Fruit of the Spirit, along with a situation that describes that Fruit. If the situation tells what the Fruit is correctly, then they will hold the smiley face plates up to their faces. If the situation does not tell what the Fruit is correctly, they will hold the sad face plates up to their faces. When the situation calls for a sad face, ask the kids how Jesus would respond to the situation in order to make a smiley face. Love is telling someone you don t know about Jesus. (Smiley face) Joy is when you get mad when your mom tells you that it s time for church. (Sad face) Peace is worrying about going to the doctor. (Sad face) Patience is quietly waiting in line for your turn to go to get a drink of water. (Smiley face) Kindness is sharing half of a cookie with your brother. (Smiley face) Goodness is telling your mom you will help clean the house if she will pay you money. (Sad face) Faithfulness is knowing that God is always in control of everything. (Smiley face) Self-control is hitting your sister for touching one of your toys. (Sad face) Apply the Main Idea Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Bad Fruit Supplies: Tongs, basket, index cards Prep: On separate cards, write the different Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Also, write the following words on separate index cards: hate, meanness, jealousy, hitting, impatience, anger, rudeness, and blaming. Put all cards facedown in the basket. 6

45 Option: Don t use tongs, but let kids make tongs out of their hands by only letting them use their thumb and index fingers to pinch the cards. Show the basket and explain that some bad fruit has gotten mixed in with the good Fruit. Explain that kids will use the tongs to grab a card and lift it out. The child or a teacher will read the word written on the card and the kids will decide if the word listed is a good fruit or a bad fruit. As the kids pull out the cards, discuss ways that they can show the good fruit in their lives. Ask the kids to share examples of how they have seen the bad fruit. Tell the kids they can ask God to let them show the good Fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Option for Older Kids: Fruit Tag Supplies: None Prep: Prepare a playing area. Explain that one or two children will be It (to be determined by group size). Share that when It touches a person moving throughout the room, It and the tagged person must count to three together and then say one of the Fruit of the Spirit. If It and the tagged person say the same fruit, then the tagged person is free to continue moving. If they say a different fruit, then the tagged person must be frozen until all kids are tagged. (If the playing space is small, direct kids that they can only walk no running!) Play several rounds. Debrief by asking kids why they think God gives us the Fruit of the Spirit. Help kids know that God wants us to live in ways that please and honor Him, but He knows that sin causes us to stumble. The Holy Spirit will help us live more like Jesus. Review Option for PreK and Younger Kids Together with the kids, think of hand motions that will help the kids remember each of the Fruit of the Spirit. Repeat the Fruit of the Spirit several times using the hand motions. Tell the kids that you will switch it up and that you will hold up a hand motion, and they must say the fruit that it matches. 7

46 Switch the game again by saying the fruit and letting the kids show the hand motion. Remind the kids that God gives us the Fruit of the Spirit so that we can live more like Jesus. Option for Older Kids Supplies: Fruit Web Prep: Several balls of yarn Form teams of 8-10 kids each. Instruct each team to form a circle and give them a ball of yarn. Explain that they will make a web by tossing the yarn to different players on their team. When they toss the ball, they must say one of the Fruit of the Spirit. Remind the kids to make sure that they hold their piece of yarn and throw the ball, or else they will never form a web. No player can repeat a fruit until all nine have been named. Keep the game going by asking the kids to name examples of how they can show the fruit in their own lives. Debrief by explaining that the Fruit of the Spirit is a singular term. It isn t fruits, but Fruit, because they are all interwoven like the web. When a person receives the Fruit of the Spirit, that person receives all nine. God will work each of them in that person s life. Pray Ask: How can you display the Fruit of the Spirit in your life this week? Lead kids in prayer, asking God to help them use the Fruit of the Spirit in their lives this week. Activity/Take Home Sheets Use the remaining group time to complete the activity sheets for this week s lesson ( 04_Oct7_Younger and 04_Oct7_Older ). If you run out of time, send the sheets home for kids to review during the week. 8

47 THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT October 7, LifeWay

48 The Power of the Spirit The Holy Spirit helps people live like Jesus. October 7, 2018 When you find someone like this ask that person to write his or her name here! This week, I chose to have a good attitude, even though I could have been angry. I followed rules that I was given this week. I obeyed my parents this week. I told the truth this week. I was patient this week during a time I had to wait on something. I have been kind to someone who was not kind to me. I trusted God this week instead of worrying... -

49 HAVE YOU HEARD? You may have heard these comments before. Check one or more boxes under each statement. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT The Holy Spirit helps people live like Jesus. October 7, 2018 People can be saved in different ways. D "EAP-D \T. \\0 A&P-EE 0 NO WA'l! I am a good person. I do not need to repent from sin. D "EAP-D \T. D EP-'{ TP-"1E. D AP-E '{0\,1 \i!'.-\dd\nc7? Jesus' death was necessary because everyone sins. D "EAP-D \T. D T T'$ P-\C7"T D WP-ONC7, WP-ONC7, WP-ON To be saved, you must join a church and be baptized. D "EAP-D \T. D COP-P-ECT. 0 OF C0"1P-$E NOT! To be saved, you must understand that sin separates you from God. D "EAP-D \T. D, '{EA"! D $L.\C7"TL.'{ \NCOP-P-ECT. If you sin after you are saved, you are unsaved and have to start over. D "EAP-D \T. D A'B$0L."1TEL-'l TP-"1E. D PO$\T\ EL.'{ FAL.$E. _/ I 2013 LifeWay

50 family devotionals Round #4: The Fruit of the Spirit READING: Grab your Bible or Bible app and read Galatians 5: If you have a child who is of reading age allow them to read as this will help keep their attention and with reading comprehension. GAME ON: Which is the hardest fruit of the Spirit for you to have? Which is the easiest fruit of the Spirit for you to have? What does it mean to crucify the sinful nature? (Allowing the Holy Spirit to rule in your life not sin.) Pray for the fruits that each family member expressed being the hardest. BONUS ROUND: (Hands on activity to better understand the lesson.) Supplies Needed: Poster or large paper. Markers. Draw a tree. Then draw different types of fruit, large enough to write the fruits of the Spirit on. (ex: draw an apple and write LOVE on it, then a strawberry and write PEACE, etc.) Make sure it is bold and easy to read. Hang it in your house to remind you during the week. LEVEL UP: (More In Depth. A good challenge for older students.) Look at Galatians 5:22-23 again. As a family agree on hand motions/signs for each word or part of the verse. Practice over and over again until you can memorize the verse as a family. Continue to sign to each other during the week to remind family members the fruit we should see in our lives.

51 THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT WEEK 5: PAUL S LETTERS TO CORINTH OCTOBER 14, 2018 At a Glance Everyone has a purpose. Main Idea: The Holy Spirit gives people gifts and abilities. Older Kids Memory Verse: If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional : The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Teacher Devotional C. S. Lewis famously said, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. 1 Suffering, pain, and death were common aspects of life in the first century. Even common ailments such as colds, infections, or minor injuries were extremely painful and sometimes fatal. The apostle Paul was personally familiar with suffering. Yet, he did not consider it a curse. Rather, he looked at his afflictions as blessings that compelled him to rely completely on God s grace and comfort. Paul praised God for suffering for the cause of Christ. He even regarded his difficulties as evidence of his apostleship. He wanted his Corinthian readers to be comforted by his words and in the knowledge that their hope was ultimately in Jesus. He wanted people to know that even though they might feel alone, the Holy Spirit had given them gifts and abilities that they could use to accomplish the work of Christ. Paul wanted to go to Corinth, but he was forced to postpone the visit. His critics, whom he mockingly called super-apostles, said Paul really did not care for them. Paul defended his leadership by reluctantly reminding them of the miracles he had performed and of his heavenly vision. He assured them that he cared for them and desired to bring them comfort. o o o Are Christians today exempt from pain and suffering? How can suffering bring us closer to God? What gifts and abilities do you believe the Holy Spirit has given you? 1 Lewis, C.S. The Problem of Pain, New York, NY: Touchstone Reprint,

52 Large Group Introduce the Story Option for Younger Kids: Scramble Pass Supplies: Index cards, pencils Prep: Print each word of this sentence on a different card: The Holy Spirit gives special gifts and abilities. Number the cards in order. Guide the kids to sit in a circle with one child in the middle. Distribute the cards to all but the child in the middle. When the child in the middle begins clapping, the other kids pass the cards around the circle. When the child quits clapping, kids holding cards read them aloud in order. Mix the cards. Invite a new child to the center. Play again. On later rounds, pass the cards overhead or behind the back. Explain that today, the kids will learn that Paul told the Corinthians about gifts from the Holy Spirit. Option for Older Kids: Work Together Washcloths Supplies: Washcloths or dish towels (about a dozen) Scatter the washcloths in a random pattern on the floor from one end of the room to the other. Tape washcloths to floor if needed. Explain that only the washcloths are safe. The remainder of the floor is dangerous territory. Prompt kids to take turns crossing the room, stepping only on the washcloths. After everyone has a turn, remove some of the cloths and challenge kids to cross again. Comment that Paul often found himself in dangerous situations, and the Christian life isn t always easy. The Holy Spirit gives Christians special gifts and abilities to help them through life. They can use their gifts to help one another. Review the Main Idea with kids by asking them to repeat it after you: The Holy Spirit gives people gifts and abilities. Tell the Bible Story Supplies: Teaching Picture 5 Display the Teaching Picture. Tell the Bible story. 2

53 The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts Long before people could communicate by text or , they wrote letters. A letter Paul wrote to his friends in Corinth became a book in your Bible! In part of the letter, he wrote to them about spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit gives: Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about special gifts that the Holy Spirit gives. In the past, you worshipped others gods, but now you worship the true God and you prove this by proclaiming that Jesus is Lord! The Holy Spirit gives many different gifts to people in the church so that they can best serve God. Even though there are many different gifts, we must remember that we all worship the same God and are given power by His one Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps some of us be wise. He helps others say the right things at the right time. He helps some of us have extra faith. The Holy Spirit is even powerful enough to heal and do other miracles! The Holy Spirit shows some of us the truth in a special way, and helps others know very clearly the difference between right and wrong. He helps some speak in a way that they would not be able to on their own, and He helps others know what is being said. Remember, though there are different gifts, there is only one God and these gifts are all given by His Holy Spirit. We must also remember that it is up to God to decide what gifts He gives to each of us. We should not be jealous of one another s gifts from God. We can remember that He has given everyone the gift they need to worship Him best and serve in the church the best. Just like we need all the parts of our body, we need all the parts of the body of Christ to work in the church. Each one is important! Based on 1 Corinthians 12 Explain that Paul actually wrote four letters to the Corinthians, but only two of them are in the Bible. Ask kids to open their Bibles to 1 Corinthians 12 and read to them verses Explain that in this part of the letter, Paul taught the Corinthians that the Holy Spirit was helping them with special gifts. Conclude by saying that each special gift was to be used to help the body of the church. Just like your arms, legs, and eyes work together to help you move safely, the gifts of the Spirit will help Christians work together as a unified body. 3

54 Small Group Time (Dismiss to Groups) Learn the Memory Verse Older Kids Memory Verse: If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional: The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Younger Kids Supplies: Use the verse poster you have been using the past few weeks. Display the verse poster that you created earlier. Encourage kids to say the verse from memory as you dramatically direct them like a music conductor loudly when you wave your arms wide; softly as you use small and gentle motions. Let kids take turns being the conductor. Remind them that that Holy Spirit will guide our steps if we let Him. Older Kids Supplies: Poster paper, marker Prep: Write the words of the verse on the poster. Display the verse. Invite kids to stand in a circle. Explain that they will recite the verse with each kid saying one word at a time. When it is his turn to say his word, he should pop (jump) up like a piece of popcorn popping. Choose a kid to start, encouraging him to say the first word of the verse. Instruct the next kid to say the next word, and so on. Challenge the group to pop faster each round. Apply the Bible Story Option for Younger Kids: Pin It Supplies: Index cards, pencils, rope, clothespins Prep: Hang the rope from one chair to another. Lead kids to recall what Paul wrote about the gifts the Holy Spirit gives. Distribute index cards and pencils. Encourage kids to write thank you prayers and clothespin them to the suspended rope. (Example: Thank You, God, for giving people the gift of singing.) 4

55 Pray, thanking God for His Holy Spirit. Thank God that He gave every Christian a special job to do in His church. Option for Older Kids: Share the Gospel Pray, asking God to remind kids that He provides them with the gifts they need for Christian service. Use a plan to share the gospel with the kids in your class. Remind the kids that the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives are ones that He gives to Christians. Share with kids that one of the teachers in the room would love to talk to any children who need more information about how to receive Christ as their Savior and Lord. Apply the Main Idea Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Count on God Desktop Toys Supplies: Foam plates (1 per child), chenille stems (several per child), colorful beads (several for each child), tape Give every child a foam plate, some chenille stems, and several beads. Lead kids to bend the stems into coils or wavy shapes, then thread the beads onto different stems. Push the ends of the stems through opposite sides of the plate, then bend the stems under and secure with tape. The plate should rest flat on a surface. Challenge kids to say one word of today s main idea, as they push individual beads around the stems. (The Holy Spirit gives people gifts and abilities.) Option for Older Kids: Paper Bracelets Supplies: Brightly colored scrapbook paper (cut into ½-by-3-inch strips), toothpicks, embroidery floss, extra fine markers Option: If you don t have those specific color balls, use three different colors of balls. Assign questions at the end of the activity accordingly. Comment that the Books of Corinthians are full of encouragement, information about God, and teaching about the Holy Spirit. Provide paper strips to each child. Prompt kids to write one word of today s main idea on a paper strip. (The Holy Spirit gives people gifts and abilities.) Lead kid to roll the strips tightly around toothpicks to make beads. Secure the loose ends with tiny pieces of clear tape. (It is OK if the entire word is not visible.) Thread the beads in word order onto pieces of embroidery floss. Help kids know the floss around their wrists. Invite kids to recall, by looking at their beads, what the main idea for today s session is. 5

56 Review Option for PreK and Younger Kids Supplies: Index cards, markers Prep: Write different review questions about today s lesson on separate cards. Place cards around the room. Form teams of two or three. Instruct each team to find and stand beside one of the review questions around the room. Let each team take a turn reading its question and either answering it or calling on another team to answer. Option for Older Kids Supplies: Teaching Picture 5 Display the Teaching Picture. Invite a kid to share what is happening. Ask: How did God use Paul? How are Paul s words important today? When things were difficult for Paul, where was God? Why do you think Paul thought it was important to write all of these things to the Corinthians? Pray Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Ask God to let the Holy Spirit share His gifts with the kids in the class who have made Jesus their Savior. Activity/Take Home Sheets Use the remaining group time to complete the activity sheets for this week s lesson ( 05_Oct14_ActivitySheet). If you run out of time, send the sheets home for kids to review during the week. 6

57

58 SHAPE UP! Paul had great things to tell the Corinthians about God's strength, grace, and forgiveness. Find thosegreat things in the Bible verses listed. In each blank draw the shape with the right word. BECAUSE GOD COMFORTS US, \VE CAN THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT The Holy Spirit gives people gifts and abilities. October 14, 2018 OTHERS. EVERY ONE OF GOD'S IS "YES" IN JESUS. GOD'S PO\VER IN US IS UKE IN CLAY JARS. GOD IS TO MAKE GRACE OVERFLO\V TO YOU. GOD'S STRENGTH IS PERFECT lrl J C 2014 LifeWay

59 ::, 0 u u 0 0 u 0 r- r- ""' u TRACK 'EM DOWN Paul had some great things to tell the Corinthians about God's strength, grace, and forgiveness. Track 'em down in your Bible first. (The chapter verse of 2 CORINTH IAN S are listed for each sentence.) Then track 'em down in the grid A 0 p u A E K T R E H y u H y z z Q w G F y u T s X 0 C A s w H R E E D Q s L N R B B F K V A p D A N p M u E H A X T w - V G V C p I V A s u R E w B T R 0 F M 0 C A M R D u G E I L R M E s K B s F y F M y N I M A X E w I 0 I G H p N E T p G X y H F D A R F L I w T X E L N u H E y w THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT The Holy Spirit gives people gifts and abilities. October 14, 2018 I BECAUSE GOD COMFORTS US, WE CArJ OTHERS. I: 2 0 EVERY DrJE OF GOD'S IS "YES" IN JESUS. 1:24 YOU CArJ STAND BY 4: 7 GOD'S POWER IS LIKE IN CLAY JARS. 5:7 WE WAU{ BY FAITH, rrnt BY. 9: 8 GOD IS TO MAKE GRACE OVERFLOW TO YOU. IO: 4 GOD GIVES YOU POWERFUL SPIRITUAL 12: 9 GOD'S STRErJGTH IS PERFECT IN TO DEFEAT SIN. 13:5 _ YOURSELVES TO TEST THE STRErJGTH OF YOUR FAITH.. - i'.l 2014 LifeWay

60 family devotionals Round #5: The Gifts of the Spirit READING: Grab your Bible or Bible app and read I Corinthians 12: If you have a child who is of reading age allow them to read as this will help keep their attention and with reading comprehension. GAME ON: After reading ask these questions: What is the Bible comparing to the human body? (all those that believe in Jesus or the Church) If you could be any part of the human body, what part would you be? Why? What do we learn about God s people from this comparison? (we all have a job and a purpose in the Church) BONUS ROUND: (Hands on activity to better understand the lesson.) Supplies Needed: Paper and pencils. Draw a human body. Assign gifts or skills to different parts of the body and write them on your picture. (ex: on one of the hands write, caring for children on the mouth write, leading worship, etc.) When done put each family members name next to a gift you feel they have or something they would be good at. How can you help out at the Chapel and use your gifts? LEVEL UP: (More In Depth. A good challenge for older students.) Read 1 Corinthians 12: True/False: Some jobs in the Church are more important than others. If we have an important job in the Church we don t really need anyone else. When someone is going through a difficult time we should suffer with them. We shouldn t be happy when someone else does a good job. God puts us together in the Church to help each other. (Answer Key: F, F, T, F, T)

61 THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT WEEK 6: LIVING FOR GOD OCTOBER 21, 2018 At a Glance Keep in step with the Spirit. Main Idea: The Holy Spirit will lead His followers. Older & Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional for Younger: The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Teacher Devotional Writing personal letters is almost a lost art in the 21st century. New technology has made writing letters almost obsolete. Only a few years ago, soldiers overseas waited for weeks for mail from home. Today, they sit at computers and talk face-to-face with family members on the other side of the world! In biblical times, letter writing was the only form of long-distance communication. Technology included ink and parchment. Paul wrote a letter to the church in Galatia. He wrote the letter to defend the truth of the gospel in the face of false teachers. He did this by defending his authority as an apostle, giving the basis for the gospel from the Old Testament, and by telling the church what living out the gospel looked like practically. To live out the truth of the gospel, believers need the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not something the Christians in Galatia could do in their own power, and it is not something we can do on our own today. In order to live in a God-honoring way, we need to be led by the Holy Spirit. o How can you communicate biblical truths so kids can understand them? o Where do you recognize your need for the Holy Spirit? How have you been helped by texts such as Galatians 5 that give examples of godly living? o How has the Holy Spirit led you to make decisions in your life? 1

62 Large Group Introduce the Story Option for Younger Kids: Special Delivery Supplies: Blank envelope Sit in a circle. Ask one child to stand. Remove his chair from the circle. Give the child an envelope. He will walk up to another child and say, I ve got a letter here for, and say the child s name. The child will take the letter, give her seat to the first child, and repeat the process. After a few turns, introduce an option. The child to whom the letter is given may stay in his seat and respond, No, I think you must mean and, naming any two other kids in the circle. They must trade places while the child who was delivering the letter tries to take one of their seats. Play several times. Explain that today s study comes from two letters that God wanted in the Bible. In the letters, He told the people more about the Holy Spirit. Option for Older Kids: Simon DOES Supplies: Washcloths or dish towels (about a dozen) Arrange the group in a circle. Explain that there are no losers in this activity. Each person should simply do his best. Instruct kids to follow your lead as you do various actions. Instruct them to raise their hands whenever they make a mistake in following you. Begin with some simple hand motions. Continue by performing clapping rhythms, standing on one foot, jumping, or more challenging actions. After a minute or so, ask the participants to give themselves a grade for their performance. Enlist a volunteer to replace you as the leader as you take your place as a player. Repeat the process, again stopping to allow some time for self-evaluation. As time permits, allow several other leaders to take a turn. As you conclude this activity, ask the preteens what sorts of moves gave them the most difficulty. Ask which were the easiest to follow. Explain that this game and today s session will illustrate living in faith. Once we have decided to trust Jesus, we cannot be losers. However, God wants us to live and grow as faithful followers to the best of our ability. 2

63 Review the Main Idea with kids by asking them to repeat it after you: The Holy Spirit will lead His followers. Tell the Bible Story Open your Bible to Galatians 5, and tell the story in your own words. Living for God Paul wrote a letter to the church in Galatia and told them about how to live for God and how the Holy Spirit would help them: If you walk by the Spirit, you will not give in to your flesh. Let me give you some examples of the flesh or the sinful nature: saying mean words, thinking bad things, putting other stuff ahead of God, hating people, being jealous of other boys and girls, being selfish, nagging, causing problems. These are some examples. Of course, this doesn t name everything. It just names a few. People who live like this do not please God. Now let me give you some examples that show that the Holy Spirit is living in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. People who trust Jesus Christ to save them no longer have to give in to their flesh or sinful nature. I encourage you, walk in the Spirit. That means obey the Holy Spirit and make the right choices as He guides you. Based on Galatians 5:16-26 Explain that Paul wrote to the church in Galatia to tell them about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead His followers in how they should live. 3

64 Small Group Time (Dismiss to Groups) Learn the Memory Verse Older & Younger Kids Memory Verse: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25 Optional for Younger: The Holy Spirit helps people (paraphrased from Galatians 5:25). Younger Kids Supplies: Use the verse poster you have been using the past few weeks. Display the the verse poster. Remind kids that you have been learning this verse for the past five weeks. Lead kids to say the verse from memory while doing jumping jacks, toe touches, or side-to-side stretches. Let kids take turns choosing the physical challenge. Repeat as time allows. Older Kids Supplies: Poster paper, marker, index cards Prep: Write the words of the verse on the poster and display the poster. Write each word of the verse on individual index cards. Direct attention to the poster. Lead the group in reciting the verse. Distribute the prepared cards to several volunteers, and challenge them to put the verse in order as quickly as possible. Ask the entire group to recite the assembled verse. Cover or remove the poster. Then ask all the kids to turn their backs as a volunteer switches two words in the verse. Allow another volunteer from the group to turn around, identify the switched words, and put them back in order. Direct the entire group to recite the verse again. Apply the Bible Story Option for Younger Kids: Teaching Picture Talk Supplies: Teaching Picture 6 Allow volunteers to share what is shown in the picture and how it relates to today s Bible story. Explain that after Jesus death and resurrection, Jesus went to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to help believers. The Holy Spirit helps Christians obey God and 4

65 say no to sin so that they become more like Jesus. Explain that the Holy Spirit might not speak aloud, but that He will help them know and understand what God wants. Call for volunteers to choose and read the strips from your Bible. After each reading, lead the group to say, The Holy Spirit is the great Helper. Option for Older Kids: Apply and Pray Read Galatians 5: Talk about tangible ways kids can live the life Paul mentioned in these verses. Lead kids to turn and tell their neighbors one way they are going to live as followers of Jesus this week. Remind preteens that the Holy Spirit will help them know how to live. Pray, asking God to help preteens live like followers of Jesus. Apply the Main Idea Option for PreK and Younger Kids: Ring Toss Supplies: Chenille stems (three), 10 water bottles, sharpie Prep: Use three chenille stems to make a ring; twist ends together to make a long stem and bend the opposite ends to make a ring. Create several rings. Print these letters on cardboard tubes (or bottles): H, o, l, y, S, p, i, r, i, t. Stand the tubes/bottles, spaced apart, near a wall. Guide kids to take turns tossing the rings on the tubes. After several practice throws, guide kids to toss the rings and ring the letters in order to spell Holy Spirit. Talk about the Main Idea. Ask: What did Paul say about the Holy Spirit? Talk about the Bible story. Lead kids to understand that they can pray and ask God for help in understanding the Bible, and the Holy Spirit will help them know more about the Bible s message. Option for Older Kids: Q & A Supplies: Large piece of paper, markers Ask the kids to name ways they can live as Jesus did. Print their answers on a large sheet of paper. 5

66 Explain that one child will be It and will turn away from the table, while another child points on the list to one of the ways to live as Jesus did. It will then ask questions that can be answered by only yes or no and will try to guess the chosen way to live as Jesus lived. After each child has had a turn to guess, ask who can help the kids live as followers of Jesus. Lead the kids to make a list of people God might use to help them learn how to live as Jesus lived and people Jesus would want them to love or help. Play the game again, letting the kids guess people this time. After a person is guessed, discuss how that person could help the girls and boys know how to live as Jesus lived, or talk about ways to treat that person as Jesus would want. Remind the children that the Holy Spirit will help them live as Jesus lived. Urge them to try to show love this week as Jesus would. Review Option for PreK and Younger Kids Ask a question about today s lesson to a set of partners. Require partners to answer popcorn style in a complete sentence, one word per partner. Option for Older Kids Supplies: Teaching Picture 6, sticky notes Prep: Cover the teaching picture with sticky notes Pray Show the covered Teaching Picture. Ask a question about today s lesson. Urge the child who answers the question to remove a sticky note from the top row. The next child to answer a question may remove a note from the second row, and so on. Continue until the children uncover the Teaching Picture. Thank God for these lessons about the Holy Spirit. Pray that each child would accept Christ as their Savior and would receive gifts from the Holy Spirit. 6

67 Activity/Take Home Sheets Use the remaining group time to complete the activity sheets for this week s lesson ( 06_Oct21_ActivitySheet). If you run out of time, send the sheets home for kids to review during the week. 7

68