God the Holy Spirit GRADE 0-1

Transcription

1 God the Holy Spirit GRADE Symbolised by Oil 2. Symbolised by Fire 3. Symbolised by a Dove 4. Symbolised by Living Water 5. Hearing the Holy Spirit Kick Start Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups of ideally six. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the offering. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons. X-Celerate X Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and tested on what they have just learnt. 7:30 Pray 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 Worship (ReFuel) 10:05 8:20 Bible Story (ReFuel) 10:20 8:35 X-Celerate 10:35 9:15 Walk Down 11:15

2 Grade 0-1 Week 1 Symbolised by Oil Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Leviticus 8:1-13 and 9:23 (The ordination of Aaron and his sons) To illustrate that we all are set apart by God to perform priestly functions. The Holy Spirit anoints us to minister for God. The Holy Spirit anoints us for His work Items required: oil, bowl to pour the oil into, coloured paper. This week s activity is: painting with oil. 1. Get the children to draw the outline of a face on the coloured paper - don t colour it in. 2. Once they have done this they can use the oil to colour in their picture. They will do this by dipping one finger in the oil and then painting the face they drew. The oil will soak into the page and make it slightly see through. When they are done get them to pick up their page and face it to the light, the light should come through where the oil is. While the children are doing this activity talk to them about how oil was used for anointing God's people. It was poured over their heads and it soaked into their hair and beards. And this is what God want for us - He wants to pour out his Holy Spirit - the oil - on us and set us apart for His purpose. Throughout the Old Testament we see oil being used for holy purposes. Oil was used in the ordination and setting apart of the priests for God's purposes. The oil was poured onto the priest's head. Oil was also used to keep the lamps burning in the Holy Place, and it was vital that they never ran dry. (Without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and churches, spiritual darkness soon overtakes us.)

3 Ask this question: What special things do you think Father God wants you to do for Him? Some scripture to look up: Exodus 29:7; Psalm 133:2; Exodus 27:20; Mark 6:13; James 5:14; Psalm 23:5. Pray with the children. Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

4 Grade 0-1 Week 2 Symbolised by Fire Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story Acts 2:1-21 (Disciples baptised and filled with Holy Spirit) Objective: Bottom line: The Spirit convicts of sin; he burns the rubbish of sin to make us more like Christ The Holy Spirit consumes and changes us. Items required: white paper with sticks drawn on, pieces of coloured paper cut out like flames, glue, and crayons This week s activity is: making a collage fire. 1. The children will each be given a piece of paper with sticks drawn on it - these will be for the fire. 2. Place the cut out pieces of coloured paper in the centre of the circle. 3. Get the children to make a fire by gluing different pieces of coloured paper above the sticks on their page. While the children are busy with the activity, talk about fires - about how hot they are, about how they are consuming and how they change something from one state to another. Talk about how the Holy Spirit is all consuming and how the Holy Spirit can change us. Fire refines and can change material from one form to another. Fire purifies, warms and illuminates. Pray with the children. Go over memory verse with children.

5 Pray with the children.

6 Grade 0-1 Week 3 Symbolised by a Dove Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Matthew 3: (baptism of Jesus) Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. The work of the Holy Spirit is gentle. Items required: dove body cut out of card, paper cut for wings and tail, crayons, staplers, tape. This week s activity is: making a hanging dove to take home. 1. Firstly allow the children to colour in the body of the dove. 2. Next fold 2 pieces of paper like an accordion - one for the wings and the other for the tail. 3. Insert the folded paper (wings and tail feathers) into the slits in the bird's body. Secure them to the body with clear tape. Tape the ends of the tail feathers together (making a fan shape). 4. Draw eyes on the dove and tape some string to the body of the dove (for hanging it up). While the children are busy with this activity discuss the similarities of a dove and the Holy Spirit. A dove is a gentle creature that is easily shooed away, so it is no wonder that Paul warns the church against grieving the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Where there is a rejection of His ministry, the Holy Spirit will not remain for long. Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. Pray with the children.

7 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

8

9 Grade 0-1 Week 4 Symbolised by Living Water Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: John 4:4-15 Objective: Bottom line: Just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual life. It washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes. The Holy Spirit refreshes and brings life Items required: Paper, crayons This week s activity is: drawing and colouring in a river. Before you begin drawing, place the picture of the desert in the middle of the circle. Ask the children what they think about going to the desert to live? Is it a nice place? Does it look inviting? Explain that is how our lives are without the Holy Spirit. 1. Give each child a piece of paper. 2. Get them to draw a river running across their page. As they are doing this talk about what we need water for. 3. Then ask them who has ever been to a river? What will you usually find on the banks of the river? For example: trees, green grass 4. Get them to then draw those things in on their picture. 5. Explain how water in a dry land refreshes and brings life. And in the Bible it talks about the Holy Spirit being like living water, and so just as the river in the picture we just made, refreshes and brings life so too does the Holy Spirit in our lives. Water washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes and so does the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Some scriptures to read:

10 Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2: John 7:37-39 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

11 Grade 0-1 Week 5. Listening to the Holy Spirit's voice Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Acts 10:1-38 (Cornelius' salvation) The Holy Spirit wants to talk to us and show us things we would not know on our own. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to us Items required: Revision sheet This week s activity is: revision Take this time in your group to go over the last month s worth of teaching, summarising it and showing the kids how even though we spoke about symbols of the Holy Spirit it is all 1 Spirit. You can hand them each a summary page to colour in and take home. For the last few minutes of your lesson take time to pray, and encourage the children to pray as well as listen to God. Emphasise that God can speak to us in many different ways: it could be a picture, a word or a scripture. Share the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19: God can speak to you, even in a small whisper. Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

12 God the Holy Spirit GRADE Symbolised by Oil 2. Symbolised by Fire 3. Symbolised by a Dove 4. Symbolised by Living Water 5. Hearing the Holy Spirit Kick Start Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups according to their grade and gender. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1 st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the offering. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons. X-Celerate X-Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and tested on what they have just learnt. 7:30 Pray 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 Refuel 10:05 9:00 X-Celerate 11:00 (Game,Worship,Bible Story) 9:25 Walk Down 11:25

13 Grade 2-3 Week 1 Symbolised by Oil Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Leviticus 8:1-13 and 9:23 (The ordination of Aaron and his sons) To illustrate that we all are set apart by God to perform priestly functions. The Holy Spirit anoints us to minister for God. The Holy Spirit anoints us for His work Items required: oil, and bowl, coloured paper, pencils This week s activity is: painting with oil. 1. Get the children to draw the outline of a face on their page - don t colour it in. 2. Once they have done this they can use the oil to colour in their picture. They will do this by dipping one finger in the oil and then painting the face they drew. The oil will soak into the page and make it slightly see through. When they are done get them to pick up their page and face it to the light - the light should come through where the oil is. While the children are doing this activity talk to them about how oil was used for anointing God's people. It was poured over their heads and it soaked into their hair and beards - and this is what God wants for us. He wants to pour out his Holy Spirit - the oil - on us and set us apart for His purpose. Throughout the Old Testament we see oil being used for holy purposes. Oil was used in the ordination and setting apart of the priests for God's purposes. The oil was poured onto the priest's head. Some scripture to look up: Exodus 29:7; Psalm 133:2; Exodus 27:20; Mark 6:13; James 5:14; Psalm 23:5, Exodus 30:22-33

14 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children. Grade 2-3 Week 2 Symbolised by Fire Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story Acts 2:1-21 (Disciples baptised and filled with Holy Spirit) Objective: Bottom line: The Spirit convicts of sin; he burns the rubbish of sin to make us more like Christ The Holy Spirit consumes and changes us. Items required: paper with sticks, coloured paper cut out flames, glue, crayons. This week s activity is: making a collage fire. 1. The children will each be given a piece of paper with sticks drawn on it - these will be for the fire. 2. Place the cut out pieces of coloured paper in the centre of the circle. 3. Get the children to make a fire by gluing different pieces of coloured paper above the sticks, on their page. While the children are busy with the activity talk about fires: about how hot they are, about how they are consuming and how they change something from one state to another. Talk about how the Holy Spirit is all consuming and how the Holy Spirit can change us. Fire refines and can change material from one form to another. Fire purifies, warms and illuminates. Pray with the children.

15 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

16 Grade 2-3 Week 3 Symbolised by a Dove Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Matthew 3: (baptism of Jesus) Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. Bottom line: The work of the Holy Spirit is gentle. Items required: dove body cut out of card, paper cut for wings and tail, crayons, staplers, tape. This week s activity is: making a hanging dove to take home. 1. Firstly allow the children to colour in the body of the dove. 2. Next fold 2 pieces of paper like an accordion. (One for the wings and the other for the tail.) Insert the folded paper (wings and tail feathers) into the slits in the bird's body. 3. Secure them to the body with clear tape. Tape the ends of the tail feathers together (making a fan shape). 4. Draw eyes on the dove. Tape some string to the body of the dove (for hanging it up). While the children are busy with this activity discuss the similarities of a dove and the Holy Spirit. A dove is a gentle creature that is easily shooed away so it is no wonder that Paul warns the church against grieving the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Where there is a rejection of His ministry, the Holy Spirit will not remain for long. Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction.

17 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

18 Grade 2-3 Week 4 Symbolised by Living Water Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: John 4:4-15 (the woman by the well) Just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual life. It washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes. The Holy Spirit refreshes and brings life Items required: paper, crayons. This week s activity is: drawing and colouring in a river. Before you begin drawing, place the picture of the desert in the middle of the circle. Ask the children what they think about going to the desert to live? Is it a nice place? Does it look inviting? Explain that this is how our lives are without the Holy Spirit. 1. Give each child a piece of a paper. 2. Get them to draw a river running across their page. As they are doing this talk about what we need water for. 3. Then ask them who has ever been to a river? What will you usually find on the banks of the river? For example: trees, green grass 4. Get them to then draw those things in on their picture. 5. Explain how water in a dry land refreshes and brings life. In the Bible it talks about the Holy Spirit being like living water - just as the river in the picture brought refreshing and life so too does the Holy Spirit in our lives.

19 Just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual lives. Water washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes and so does the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Some scriptures to read: Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28-29, Psalms 42, John 7:37-39 Sometimes in our day to day struggle to stay alive, we become tired. Like the deer, we want to find a safe place to rest and refresh ourselves. Psalm 42 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." That is why we are here this morning. We have come to this safe and quiet place to be refreshed by the Living Water that comes from God. Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

20 Grade 2-3 Week 5. Listening to the Holy Spirit's voice Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Acts 10:1-38 (Cornelius' salvation) The Holy Spirit wants to talk to us and show us things we would not know on our own. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to us. Items required: revision page This week s activity is: revision and waiting on God. Take this time in your group to go over the last month s worth of teaching, summarising it and showing the kids how even though we spoke about symbols of the Holy Spirit it is all 1 Spirit. You can hand them each a summary page to take home. For the last 10 minutes of your lesson take time to pray, and encourage the children to pray as well as listen to God. Emphasise that God can speak to us in many different ways: it could be a picture, a word or a scripture. Share the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10:1-38. God can speak to you, even in a small whisper. Ask these questions: 1. What would have happened if Peter did not listen to God? 2. What would have happened if Cornelius did not listen to God? Pray with the children. Go over memory verse with children.

21 Pray with the children.

22 God the Holy Spirit GRADE Symbolised by Oil 1. Symbolised by Fire 2. Symbolised by a Dove 3. Symbolised by Living Water 4. Hearing the Holy Spirit Kick Start Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups according to their grade and gender. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1 st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the offering. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons. X-Celerate X-Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and tested on what they have just learnt. 7:30 Pray 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 Refuel 10:05 9:00 X-Celerate 11:00 (Game,Worship,Bible Story) 9:25 Walk Down 11:25

23 Grade 4-5 Week 1 Symbolised by Oil Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Leviticus 8:1-13 and 9:23 (The ordination of Aaron and his sons) To illustrate that we all are set apart by God to perform priestly functions. The Holy Spirit anoints us to minister for God. The Holy Spirit anoints us for His work Items required: bowl of oil, toilet roll, cinnamon, lavender, spices. This week s activity is: a tactile lesson. 1. Place the oil in a bowl. 2. Allow the children to dip their fingers into the oil and feel how it feels. 3. Read Exodus 30 :22-33 (Anointing oil) 4. Talk about how the oil was used to anoint that which belonged to God. 5. The oil that was used here was scented - as a group we are going to try make our own scented oil. 6. As a group, using the items given, create your own scented oil by crushing the items in a bowl until very fine. Get each of the children to have a turn. 7. Once you are happy with that, add some oil to it and mix everything together. 8. Get the children to rub some on their hands or face to see what it feels like. 9. Mark 6:13 and James 5:14 shows us that the Holy Spirit must be involved in every area of a believer's life. Just as oil enlightens and

24 lubricates, so the Holy Spirit wants to illuminate and eliminate friction in our lives. Ask these questions: 1. What did it mean for Aaron and his sons to be consecrated to God? 2. Do you belong to God? Why? Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

25 Grade 4-5 Week 2 Symbolised by Fire Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story Acts 2:1-21 (Disciples baptised and filled with Holy Spirit) Objective: Bottom line: The Spirit convicts of sin; he burns the rubbish of sin to make us more like Christ The Holy Spirit consumes and changes us. Items required: candles, candle holder, pie dish, chocolate, sosatie sticks. This week s activity is: lots of fun! But please be Careful! 1. Place your candle in the centre of your circle carefully!!! And light it. 2. In a bowl you will find some chocolate. This you will need to hold over the candle and watch it melt. While you are waiting for the chocolate to melt talk to your group about how fire refines and can change material from one form to another. 3. Once the chocolate is done you can give each child a marshmallow and a stick. They can then very carefully take turns roasting their marshmallow and watching it change from one colour to the next. Ask why we roast marshmallows? Because they taste better. 4. Once the marshmallows are done the children can eat them and the chocolate. 5. Talk about how the Holy Spirit is symbolised by fire because he also refines and can change us from one form to another. 6. Lastly ask the question: What in your lives does the Holy Spirit need to burn away? Go over memory verse with children.

26 Pray with the children.

27 Grade 4-5 Week 3 Symbolised by a Dove Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Matthew 3: (baptism of Jesus) Objective: Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. Bottom line: The work of the Holy Spirit is gentle. Items required: picture of a dove, paper, pens This week s activity is: looking at a dove to see why the Holy Spirit is compared to it. 1. As a group have a good look at the picture of the dove. 2. List all the characteristics of a dove. 3. Get the children to see if they can explain why a dove is used to symbolise the Holy Spirit, using the list they have just made. This symbolism is taken from where the Holy Spirit descends upon the Lord Jesus Christ in the form of a dove at His baptism. The dove is used here to reveal the gentle, yet powerful, workings of the Holy Spirit. A dove is a gentle creature that is easily shooed away - this is why we are warned against grieving the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Where there is a rejection of His ministry, the Holy Spirit will not remain for long. Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. The dove is used today as a symbol of purity and peace. Ask this question: What things could you do to grieve the Holy Spirit? List and talk about these things. Refer to the story in Acts 5:3.

28 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

29 Grade 4-5 Week 4 Symbolised by Living Water Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: John 4:4-15 (the woman by the well Just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual life. It washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes. The Holy Spirit refreshes and brings life Items required: page with a picture of a dessert and river, pencils. This week s activity is: Spot the difference. 1. Hand out a piece of paper to each child. 2. Place the 2 pictures out in the centre of the circle (one of a desert and one of a river). 3. Give the children 5 minutes to write down as many differences as they can see. 4. Once the 5 minutes is up get the children to count how many differences they wrote down - the one with the most gets a sweet. 5. Once this is done, get the children to share some of what they wrote down. Ask what made the difference in the 2 pictures? (water) Why? (As water is needed for life) - just as we need the Holy Spirit, to bring refreshing and life to us. 6. Show the children that the desert is what our lives feel like and look like without the Holy Spirit. We feel desperate, lifeless and on our own. On the other hand, with the Holy Spirit at work in us, we can look like the flourishing river banks: fulfilled, refreshed and happy. Just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual lives. Water washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it

30 goes and so does the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Some scriptures to read: Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28-29, Psalms 42, John 7:37-39 Sometimes in our day to day struggle to stay alive, we become tired. Like the deer, we want to find a safe place to rest and refresh ourselves. Psalm 42 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." That is why we are here this morning. We have come to this safe and quiet place to be refreshed by the Living Water that comes from God. Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

31 Grade 2-5 Week 5. Listening to the Holy Spirit's voice Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Acts 10:1-38 (Cornelius' salvation) The Holy Spirit wants to talk to us and show us things we would not know on our own. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to us. Items required: page of month revision. This week s activity is: revision and waiting on God. Take this time in your group to go over the last month s worth of teaching, summarising it and showing the kids how even though we spoke about symbols of the Holy Spirit it is all 1 Spirit. Hand out to each child the pages of revision from the month. Staple them all together with a few blank pieces of paper. Encourage the children to take these books home and write down what they think God is saying to them, in their quiet times. For the last 10 minutes of your lesson take time to pray, and encourage the children to pray as well as listen to God. Emphasise that God can speak to us in many different ways: it could be a picture, a word or a scripture. Share the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10:1-38. God can speak to you, even in a small whisper. Ask these questions: 1. What would have happened if Peter did not listen to God? 2. What would have happened if Cornelius did not listen to God? Go over memory verse with children.

32 Pray with the children.

33 God the Holy Spirit GRADE Symbolised by Oil 3. Symbolised by Fire 4. Symbolised by a Dove 5. Symbolised by Living Water 6. Hearing the Holy Spirit Kick Start Kick Start is designed to keep the kids busy from the moment they arrive in small groups according to their grade and gender. This helps to keep control, keeps kids busy involved and creates a sense of identity and security with their peers and their leader. Re Fuel Re Fuel involves telling the Bible story for the day in a way that brings the story to life. Worship and prayer are all a part of this interactive time. It is also important to welcome 1 st time visitors, sing happy birthdays and take up the offering. It is good to revise the previous week s lessons. X-Celerate X-Celerate is the time that the children go back into their same small groups as in Kick Start and do an activity with the leader while being asked questions and tested on what they have just learnt. 7:30 Pray 9:30 7:45 KickStart 9:45 8:05 Refuel 10:05 9:00 X-Celerate 11:00 (Game,Worship,Bible Story) 9:25 Walk Down 11:25

34 Grade 6-7 Week 1 Symbolised by Oil Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Leviticus 8:1-13 and 9:23 (The ordination of Aaron and his sons) To illustrate that we all are set apart by God to perform priestly functions. The Holy Spirit anoints us to minister for God. The Holy Spirit anoints us for His work Items required: scented oil from food pack, A3 paper, pencils. This weeks activity is: drawing Break into smaller groups. Choose a person in your group and draw that person on a big sheet of paper. Once you have done this, discuss that persons attributes and those of the Holy Spirit and how He anoints us in our daily lives. Mark 6:13 and James 5:14 shows us that the Holy Spirit must be involved in every area of a believer's life. Just as oil enlightens and lubricates, so the Holy Spirit wants to illuminate and eliminate friction in our lives. Give the children an opportunity to smell some scented oil and feel it between their fingers. Some scripture to look up: Exodus 29:7; Psalm 133:2; Exodus 27:20; Mark 6:13; James 5:14; Psalm 23:5, Exodus 30:22-33 Go over memory verse with children.

35 Pray with the children.

36 Grade 6-7 Week 2 Symbolised by Fire Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story Acts 2:1-21 (Disciples baptised and filled with Holy Spirit) Objective: Bottom line: The Spirit convicts of sin; he burns the rubbish of sin to make us more like Christ The Holy Spirit consumes and changes us. Items required: candles, candle holder, pie dish, chocolate, sosatie sticks. This week s activity is: lots of fun! But please be Careful! 1. Place your candle in the centre of your circle carefully!!! And light it. 2. In a bowl you will find some chocolate. This you will need to hold over the candle and watch it melt. While you are waiting for the chocolate to melt talk to your group about how fire refines and can change material from one form to another. 3. Once the chocolate is done you can give each child a marshmallow and a stick. They can then very carefully take turns roasting their marshmallow and watching it change from one colour to the next. Ask why we roast marshmallows? Because they taste better. 4. Once the marshmallows are done the children can eat them and the chocolate. 5. Talk about how the Holy Spirit is symbolised by fire because he also refines and can change us from one form to another. 6. Lastly ask the question: What in your lives does the Holy Spirit need to burn away? Go over memory verse with children.

37 Pray with the children.

38 Grade 6-7 Week 3 Symbolised by a Dove Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Matthew 3: (baptism of Jesus) Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. Bottom line: The work of the Holy Spirit is gentle. Items required: picture of dove, real dove, paper pencils This week s activity is: looking at a dove to see why the Holy Spirit is compared to it. 1. As a group have a good look at the picture of the dove. 2. List all the characteristics of a dove. 3. Get the children to see if they can explain why a dove is used to symbolise the Holy Spirit, using the list they have just made. This symbolism is taken from where the Holy Spirit descends upon the Lord Jesus Christ in the form of a dove at His baptism. The dove is used here to reveal the gentle, yet powerful, workings of the Holy Spirit. A dove is a gentle creature that is easily shooed away - this is why we are warned against grieving the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Where there is a rejection of His ministry, the Holy Spirit will not remain for long. Through the gentle workings of the Holy Spirit, God points out our failures and nudges us in the right direction. The dove is used today as a symbol of purity and peace. Ask this question: What things could you do to grieve the Holy Spirit? List and talk about these things. Refer to the story in Acts 5:3.

39 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

40 Grade 6-7 Week 4 Symbolised by Living Water Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: John 4:4-15 (the woman by the well) Objective: Just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual life. It washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes. Bottom line: The Holy Spirit refreshes and brings life Items required: water guns, target, balloons This weeks activity is: an outdoor activity and discussion. Take your group outside where there will be some water guns and a target. Play a game to see who is the best shot. After the game go back inside and discuss with the children that just as water is important for existence, so too is the Holy Spirit if we are to maintain our spiritual lives. Water washes, purifies and refreshes wherever it goes and so does the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Some scriptures to read: Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28-29, Psalms 42, John 7:37-39 Sometimes in our day to day struggle to stay alive, we become tired. Like the deer, we want to find a safe place to rest and refresh ourselves. Psalm 42 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." That is why we are here this morning. We have come to this safe and quiet place to be refreshed by the Living Water that comes from God.

41 Go over memory verse with children. Pray with the children.

42 Grade 6-7 Week 5. Listening to the Holy Spirit's voice Memory verse: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Bible Story: Objective: Bottom line: Acts 10:1-38 (Cornelius' salvation) The Holy Spirit wants to talk to us and show us things we would not know on our own. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to us. Items required: Revision sheet. This week s activity is: revision and waiting on God. Take this time in your group to go over the last month s worth of teaching, summarising it and showing the kids how even though we spoke about symbols of the Holy Spirit it is all 1 Spirit. Hand out to each child the pages of revision from the month. Staple them all together with a few blank pieces of paper. Encourage the children to take these books home and write down what they think God is saying to them, in their quiet times. For the last 10 minutes of your lesson take time to pray, and encourage the children to pray as well as listen to God. Emphasise that God can speak to us in many different ways: it could be a picture, a word or a scripture. Share the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10:1-38. God can speak to you, even in a small whisper. Ask these questions: 7. What would have happened if Peter did not listen to God? 8. What would have happened if Cornelius did not listen to God? Pray with the children. Go over memory verse with children.

43 Pray with the children.

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45 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

46 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to

47 the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)