PENTECOST. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

Transcription

1 PENTECOST BIBLE VERSE All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4) BIBLE STORY REFERENCE Acts 2:1-42 PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations Written by: Cindy Gray Creative Consultants: Mark Burrows, Colette Chambers, Dutch Handlang, Sandy Mabry, Nancy Spence, Sally Wizik Wills, Kay Williams Editor: Larry Beman Development Editor: Daphna Flegal Production Editors: Leslie Johnson and Betsi Smith Designer: Paige Easter 2001 Abingdon Press. All rights reserved. With the exception of music, Abingdon Press hereby grants permission to local churches to reproduce the materials contained in this publication for purposes of Christian education provided the following copyright notice appears on the photocopies: Permission granted to copy for local church use Abingdon Press. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Main Idea Objectives Bible Story Bible Background for Leaders About the Children Shepherd Tips Check Your Facts Gathering Time Stations at a Glance Resources Art Station Computer Station Creative Cookery Station Game Station Music Movement Station Science Station Storytelling Station Video Station Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

3 PENTECOST BIBLE VERSE All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4) BIBLE STORY REFERENCE Acts 2:1-42 MAIN IDEA Through the Holy Spirit, we know God is with us, helping us live as faithful disciples. OBJECTIVES Children will explore the following concepts: hear the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit at ; identify how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples; understand that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit; define the Holy Spirit as God with us now ; learn that the Holy Spirit can be present in our lives too; explore the meaning of believe ; understand why we celebrate as the birthday of the church. FOR ALL YOUR VOLUNTEERS Photocopy these sections for all your leaders: Main Idea; Objectives (page 3) Bible Story; Bible Background for Leaders (page 4) About the Children; Shepherd Tips (page 5) Check Your Facts (page 6) 3 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

4 BIBLE STORY Summary: Acts 2:1-42 On the day of, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and to the believers in Jesus. The disciples and many believers were gathered in a house when the Holy Spirit came to them in the form of wind and flames. People outside the house who heard the noise commented and laughed derisively. Peter then spoke to the crowd and told them about Jesus. Three thousand people became believers and were baptized. BIBLE BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS The Book of Acts, probably a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, serves as a transition from the life of Jesus to the beginnings of the church. Acts begins by explaining how Christ taught his disciples for forty days after his resurrection and then left, ascending into the sky (Acts 1:9). The disciples went back to Jerusalem and elected a twelfth member, Matthias. They waited for ten days, not sure what to do next. Their wait ended at the Jewish harvest feast Shavuot. Over a million pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem, because it was the Jewish custom for families to make a pilgrimage to the Temple to present their first fruit offering at this time. (Shavuot is one of three Jewish pilgrimage festivals in which people are required to go to the Temple.) In biblical times this festival was held at the end of the grain festival and was a time of thanksgiving and praise for God s goodness. The disciples and believers, totaling about 120, were together in a house. Suddenly the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and believers. A violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire rested on each head (Acts 2:2-3). The Spirit-filled believers found themselves speaking in other languages (Acts 2:4). The pilgrims in the crowd outside the house came from different countries and would have spoken Greek or an Aramaic dialect. Normally they would have been able to understand the disciples Galilean speech. Suddenly each person heard his or her own language being spoken! (Acts 2:5-8). The story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) was reversed. The crowd was amazed. Some, however, ridiculed the disciples by accusing them of being drunk (Acts 2:13). 4 Peter then addressed the crowd and told them about Jesus, quoting from the Old Testament, reciting the words of the prophet Joel and King David. Many in the crowd believed his words. More than 3,000 people were baptized and became believers in Christ that day (Acts 2:41). The Christian church was born! Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

5 ABOUT THE CHILDREN Younger Children Younger elementary children have difficulty understanding abstract concepts such as the Holy Spirit. Focus on the fact that God is with each of them all the time. Birthdays are important and exciting events to young children; they will enjoy learning that the church has a birthday too. Older Children Older elementary children will probably wonder what the Holy Spirit is and whether it is present today. Explain that, in the New Testament, Jesus followers defined the energy of God s active working in the world as the Holy Spirit. The children can learn that the Holy Spirit is God s presence with us a presence that guides and helps us. One way to explain this is to compare the Holy Spirit to the wind: we know it s real even though we can t see it. SHEPHERD TIPS Pray each week for the children under your care. Model the behavior you want from the children. Assist the station leader as needed. Make sure the children use tools and equipment in a safe manner. Talk to the church school superintendent or coordinator if you have any questions or concerns about the children in your care. If you do not have a Gathering Time, consider using the Gathering Time devotionals as an opening with your groups in the stations. Greet the Children Help with nametags. Thank the children for remembering to bring their offerings. Have the children place their offerings in the offering basket. Take attendance. Note any children who are absent. Make plans to send absent children a note or card. Record names, addresses, and phone numbers of any children who are attending for the first time, and plan to call them or to send a welcoming card. Read the Talk Tips in each of the station plans and support the station leader in helping the children explore the ideas of the unit. 5 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

6 CHECK YOUR FACTS is fifty days after Easter. is a day honored by Jews as a harvest feast. This Jewish feast day is called Shavuot (pronounced shuh-voo-oat). The purpose of Shavuot is to celebrate the grain harvest. Shavuot means weeks, because it comes seven weeks after Passover. is a Greek word that means fifty it is the fiftieth day after Passover. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples several times over a period of forty days. At the end of the forty days Jesus left to be with God. Jesus promised the disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit to teach them what they needed to know and prepare them for the task ahead (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is defined as a comforter, advocate, and one who gives power and courage. At the Shavuot festival, following Jesus resurrection, the disciples were together in Jerusalem celebrating the feast time. The Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the form of flames and wind. The Holy Spirit enabled the believers to speak in many different languages, even though they were normally only able to speak Galilean. The crowd outside heard the noise and thought the people in the house were drunk. Peter spoke to the crowd outside and told them what had happened. He preached about Jesus, using many quotations from the Old Testament. About three thousand people were baptized and became believers after hearing Peter speak. is celebrated today as the birthday of the Christian church. Suggestions Read the story in several different translations to compare how the story is told. 6 Read about the Holy Spirit in John 15:26-27, John 16:7-13, Romans 8:15-16, Romans 8:26-27, and 2 Corinthians 3:18. Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

7 GATHERING TIME optional but highly recommended If you use Gathering Time each week, plan a way for the children to form groups as they arrive. Ask the shepherds for each group to sit in the same area of the gathering place each week. Each group should have a different color flag, sign, or carpet square for identification. Ask the shepherds to visit with the children as they arrive, making them welcome and reminding them to stay with the group. If you do not have a Gathering Time, review the activities suggested for these times as possibilities for additional activities in your stations. SETTING THE STAGE Place a Bible, cross, sheaves of grain, and/or an unwrapped whole loaf of bread on the worship table. Note: Encourage all adults involved in this program, both leaders and shepherds, to wear red. You could even send notes to parents requesting that the children wear red. EACH WEEK Recruit a person who enjoys doing dramatic presentations to portray the disciple Peter. Provide a costume and the suggested props. Lead the children in singing the song for the week. Say a brief prayer or invite a child to pray, thanking God for the opportunity to learn about Jesus and God s church. MISSIONS Begin a mission project that continues through this unit. This activity fits in well with the recommended Veggie Tales video listed in the Video Station: Are You My Neighbor? Check with local mission possibilities, such as shelters, food cupboards, or your local Red Cross. One international possibility is International Child Care. For more information contact them at: International Child Care Child to Child Program Resources CD lyrics and sheet music Bible Supplies CD player Bible-times costumes rock fan (hand-held or electric) flashlight and red tissue paper or candle and matches instructions written in another language (from an appliance, game) cross water in a pitcher balloons (inflated and tied to strings) table sheaves of grain such as wheat stalks (can be found at most craft stores) whole unwrapped loaf of bread on a plate 7 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

8 GATHERING ACTIVITIES Week 1 Peter enters, carrying a rock. Peter. Jesus called me the rock on which He would build his church. I was confused and didn't understand. Have Peter place the rock on the worship table. Peter: The Holy Spirit came to me and the other disciples on. Then I understood. Then I was able to become the rock Jesus said I was. Sing Every Time I Feel the Spirit ( CD). Week 2 Peter enters, carrying a fan (electric or paper). If electric, plug in the fan and turn it on at the appropriate time. Peter. At, the other disciples and I were together in a house to celebrate the festival. Another name for this festival is Shavuot (shuh-voo-oat). This festival celebrates the grain harvest. Suddenly a great wind sounded. Peter turns on the fan or waves a fan at the children so they can all feel the air. Peter: It was the Holy Spirit. Because of the Holy Spirit the church was started that day. Sing Every Time I Feel the Spirit ( CD). 8 Week 3 Peter enters, carrying a lighted candle. (If preferred, wrap red tissue around the end of a flashlight to represent a flame, and have Peter carry the lighted flashlight.) Peter. At, when the disciples and I were celebrating the festival together in a house, flames suddenly appeared in the air. A tongue of fire rested on each of us. We were amazed! Peter places the candle on the worship table. Peter: It was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave us the power to start the church. Sing Pass It On or a song from the CD. Week 4 Peter enters, carrying instructions written in a different language. Peter. The disciples and I are from Galilee, and we speak Galilean. At, thousands of people were in Jerusalem from many different countries. They spoke many different languages. Peter holds up the instructions. Peter: I can t read these instructions because they re written in a different language. It s a good thing they are written in my language too. When the Holy Spirit came to us at, we were suddenly able to speak so that everyone could understand us. We could talk to all the people outside our house. We were able to start the church. Sing Pass It On or a song from the CD. Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

9 Week 5 Peter enters, carrying a Bible. Peter. At, when the Holy Spirit came to us, the people outside the house where we were gathering heard all the noise in the room. Some of them laughed at us! Peter holds up the Bible, then places it on the altar. Peter: I spoke to the people. I reminded them that the prophet Joel had predicted this would happen, that God would pour out the Spirit. People listened. It was the beginning of the church. Sing I m Goin a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing ( CD). Week 6 Peter enters, carrying a cross. Peter. At, when the Holy Spirit came to us, I was given the power to speak to the people gathered outside and they listened! Peter holds up the cross, then places it on the altar. Peter: I talked to them about Jesus. Many had seen Jesus and heard him preach. I told them again what Jesus said and taught. The people listened. It was the beginning of the church. Sing I m Goin a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing ( CD). Week 7 Peter enters, carrying a pitcher partially filled with water. Peter. At, when the Holy Spirit came to us, I spoke to the crowds gathered outside the house where we were gathered. I told them about Jesus. They listened and believed. Peter holds up the pitcher with water, then places it on the altar. Peter: Three thousand people became believers in Christ and were baptized that day. It was the beginning of the church. Sing Pass It On or a song from the CD. Week 8 Peter enters, carrying several inflated balloons tied to strings. Peter. At, the Holy Spirit came to us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I spoke to the crowds outside our house. I taught them about Jesus. Three thousand people were baptized that day. Peter holds up the balloons and places them on the altar. Peter: What an exciting day the birthday of the church! From that day on, the disciples and I met and taught the new believers. We shared fellowship, meals, and prayers. It is a day to celebrate! Sing Pass It On or a song from the CD. 9 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

10 STATIONS AT A GLANCE Stations Focus Preferences Activities Art Children will learn the Bible story through art experiences. Station Focus: Children will create art projects that focus on and the Holy Spirit. Visual Logical Independent Banners Wind Catchers Cartoon Strip Picasso Painting Collage Straw Painting Computer Children will learn the Bible story through computer experiences. Station Focus: Children will use (or develop) their skills with a computer as they use technology to make discoveries about the story of. Visual Logical Birthday Card Puzzle Making Word Puzzles ilumina Cooking Children will learn the Bible story through experiences with food preparation. Game Children will play a series of learning games. Music Children will learn the Bible story through musical experiences. Science Children will learn the Bible story through science experiences. Storytelling Children will retell the Bible story. Video Children will hear and see the Bible story. 10 Station Focus: Children will remember the meaning and symbols of the story. Station Focus: Children will learn more about the disciple s experiences at through games and activities. Station Focus: The children will experience the story of through music and movement. Station Focus: The children will explore the world of science as they learn more about the story of. Station Focus: The children will hear and tell the story of in a variety of ways. Station Focus: Children will use video, guided viewing, and follow-up questions to make connections to the story. Social Logical Social Physical Visual Musical Physical Social Physical Social Visual Visual Independent Social Building a Church Pinwheel Sandwiches Tongues of Fire Birthday Cupcakes Potato Soup New Things! Parachute Games Wind Fun Blow, Team, Blow Balloon Games Many Languages, One Church Flame Jump Trivia Game Tongues-of-Fire Tag What Happened? It s a Feeling Pass It On Wind Music: Pan Pipes Wind Dancers Musical Flames Tune In Peter s Rap Wind Spinners Air Pressure Air on the Move Make a Pinwheel Bubble Fun, Parts One and Two Bubble Art It s Not Possible! Growing the Church In God s Name The Runaway Bunny From My Point of View Cinquain Poem The Church Is Born The Birthday of the Church Breaking News Feel the Force The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Are You My Neighbor? Select Your Own Video Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

11 Resources Plan Ahead Supplies CD PrintMaster or similar publishing software ilumina Bible Software or ilumina Gold Premium CD-ROM Crossword Studio: Bible Edition CD-ROM CD felt fabric paint pens dowels letter stencils or patterns posterboard crepe paper red collage materials empty trays or shallow boxes computer red crepe paper streamers printer CD player ingredients for recipes food coloring ribbon glue (white or gel) plastic knives Borax soap powder plastic cups plastic sandwich bags slick-surfaced paper thinned red and yellow tempera paint short plastic straws margarine tubs CD player colored pencils red birthday candles paper cupcake liners quart jars with lids pinwheel pie pan utensils for recipes table covering rolling pins posterboard hole punch paper towels parachute large soft balls blankets or towels playground or beach ball feathers Ping-Pong balls cotton balls craft sticks masking tape, yarn, or string balloons cardboard tubes tissue paper game board markers watch or timer paper plates CD lyric sheets sheet music hymnals scarfs or crepe paper streamers beanbags or balloons, sand, and funnel straws modeling clay crepe paper streamers wire coat hangers CD player yarn paper plates People by Peter Spier flat cake or pie tins chenille stems bubble liquid or liquid dish soap and glycerin string plastic straws tempera paint clear baking dish or large baking sheet birthday candle bar of soap two large books ruler match glass cardboard pencil with eraser for each child penny, quarter In God s Name by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown CD The Empire Strikes Back VHS or DVD The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe DVD Are You My Neighbor? DVD index cards spring-type clothespins CD player red construction paper television VCR DVD player video recorder blank videotape Bible-times costumes microphone Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. 11

12 RESOURCES These resources may be ordered through Cokesbury ( ) and other Christian bookstores or online through (unless noted otherwise). Computer Resources For Older Children ilumina Bible Software, Tyndale House, $19.99, or ilumina Gold Premium. For All Ages PrintMaster (available at computer software stores) or other publishing software. Video Resources The Empire Strikes Back (available at libraries and video rental stores) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe DVD. $ Veggie Tales: Are You My Neighbor? DVD. $ X SFW Crosswords and Word Search CD-ROMs. $ Music Resources music. (Compact disc, , $10.50.) sheet music. lyric sheets. Storytelling Resources In God s Name by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Jewish Lights Publishing. $ The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. Harper Collins Publishers. $ Resources are constantly changing and going out of print. Websites are also constantly changing. Although all websites we suggest were checked at the time this unit was developed, we urge you to check the sites to verify that they are still live and that they are still appropriate for children before doing the corresponding activities. Go to for any updated information and alternative activities. Prices are subject to change without notice People by Peter Spier. Doubleday Books for Young Readers. $ Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations