Date: 19&20 September 2015 Small Group Leader s Guide Theme: Holy Spirit Lesson 3: Holy Spirit is Our Helper, Comforter, Teacher and Friend Memory Verse: But the Father will send the Friend in my name to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things. He will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIRV) Bible Passage: John 14-16 In the next 4 weeks, children will learn: 1) that the Holy Spirit is God who has the attributes of a Person. (Week 1) 2) who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. (Week 2 and 3) 3) that the Holy Spirit has come to teach and remind us of God s Truth. (Week 4) INTRODUCTION This lesson introduces the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an abstract concept, a faceless force, or an it. He is a Person just as God the Father and Jesus the Son are Persons. Together the three are the Trinity, one God in three Persons. Lesson Topic Bible Passages 1 Holy Spirit is God Genesis 1:1-31 2 Holy Spirit Gives Us Power Acts 2:1-6 3 Holy Spirit is our Helper, John 14-16 Comforter, Teacher and Friend 4 Get Stir up with the Holy Spirit John 14:16-18; Luke 11:9-13 Note to Leaders: The Holy Spirit does not only minister in the capacity of representing the Father and the Son. He also has a personal, distinct ministry of His own. Of the many names of the Holy Spirit used in the Bible (there are 90 distinct references to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament alone!), this lesson explains 4 names and ministries of the Holy Spirit that relate to kids. Those names are: Our Helper, Our Comforter, Our Teacher and Our Friend. Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 1
Platform Teaching - Skit (15 min) Lesson Review: Logistics: PowerPoint Slide Play the game pick the right answer/s : i. Which object did we use in our lesson last week? (Ans: torchlight & batteries) a) ziplock bag b) egg c) torchlight d) tongs e) hairbrush f) batteries ii. What does the torchlight represent? (Ans: our life) a) Our life b) Power c) Holy Spirit d) God e) Jesus f) GKidz iii. iv. What do the batteries represent? (Ans: Holy Spirit & power) a) God b) Strength c) Holy Spirit d) Power e) Jesus f) energy What is this power for? (Ans: to live a godly life) a) to live a bright life b) to live a useful life c) to live a godly life d) to live a fun life e) to live an exciting life Skit: To understand how the Holy Spirit-helps us, and what Jesus had to say concerning Him and our lives. Skit props: cane and cap (for the grandpa GKidz will provide) Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 2
Begin this platform teaching by narrating the following scenario: "Once there were two children, Sam and Mei, whose parents were going out of town for the night. They were new to the area, so the parents didn't want to leave them alone with a stranger. Thankfully their grandfather lived nearby, so they asked him to care for the children while they were gone. Before the parents left, they told their children to be good, obey their rules, and to make sure they cleaned their rooms before they returned home. Well, as soon as the parents left, the children wanted to go outside and play. Sam and Mei: Grandpa can we go out and play? Please.please please Grandpa: No you can t. Remember what your mom and dad said to you before they left? But don t worry I ve planned some really fun things to do indoors. The grandfather said with a smile from ear to ear. Sam and Mei: Grandpa we are hungry! Grandpa: I have just the thing! We'll make our own oreo sandwich and eat them before dinner!" And they did just that! It was now getting late, and the children wanted to stay up late to watch T.V. But the grandfather reminded them that they were told to clean their rooms before their parents returned home. Sam and Mei: Oh, we're too tired, Grandpa! We'll do it in the morning." (the children pleaded.) Grandpa: Nope! You must obey your parents. But don't worry, I'll help you clean up! In no time and with the grandfather's help-their rooms were cleaned, and they got ready for bed. And as the grandfather tucked them in for the night, he reminded them of their parents' love, and told them he had something extra special planned for them tomorrow, then kissed them goodnight. As the children drifted off to sleep, there was a loud bang just outside the kids' bedroom windows. And as you can imagine it scared them half to death! Well, the grandfather heard the noise too and looked out the window to see what was the matter; then quickly rushed to calm the screaming children. Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 3
Grandpa: Don't be afraid, it's only the neighbor's big fat cat! (he chuckled) Then he kissed the children and tucked them in again. And soon the children were dreaming of tomorrow's adventure with grandpa. TL says: This story helps us to understand some of the role that the Holy Spirit plays. Before Jesus returned to heaven, He promised His followers that they would not be left alone to care for themselves. Like the parents in our story who sent the grandfather to care for their children while they were away, Jesus told His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit as a Helper, Comforter, Teacher and Friend watch over them, to help them obey God and to do His will while He was away. Let us go into our small group to check from the Bible which is the best tool to teach us about the Holy Spirit who is a Helper, Comforter, Teacher and Friend. Small Group Time / God s Word (20 min) Logistics: 3 picture cards of the 4 roles of the Holy Spirit (Appendix A) i. Luke 2:25-26 (Holy Spirit is Our Friend) Example of a man who was a close friend with the Holy Spirit Tell the children that the Holy Spirit who is our Friend, not only will He remind us what Jesus has said in the bible, but He will also tell us secrets that only God knows. One example is from: Read Luke 2:25-26 aloud with the children. (wait for the chidlren to turn their Bibles to the passage) In Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was a good and godly man. He was waiting for God's promise to Israel to happen. The Holy Spirit was with him. The Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Luke 2:25-26 (NIRV) (Give a little more background about Simeon He was an elderly man who spent his whole life in and around the temple in Jerusalem waiting for the God s promise to Israel that is to send a savior to Israel.) ii. Luke 3:22; Matthew 3:16 (Holy Spirit is Our Comforter) Read Luke 3:22 with the children. He is like a dove because He is gentle and provides comfort. He brings us God s love, joy and peace. So in situation when we are sad or scared He will comfort us Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 4
with God s love, joy and peace. (Leader please share one situation in your life that you were sad or scared and the Holy Spirit comforted you.) iii. John 14:25-26 (Holy Spirit is Our Helper and Teacher) Read John 14:25-26 with the children Ask the children the following questions: a. Why is the Holy Spirit called the Helper? Is He like our domestic helper? b. What does He help us with that is not like our domestic helper? Give the children time to respond before telling them that the Holy Spirit helps us to live for Jesus and everything we might need help in. Leader please share your own testimony how the Holy Spirit had helped you before in your life. Application (10 min) Give each child a worksheet where they need to draw either a symbol or what it means when we say the Holy Spirit is our Friend, Comforter, Helper and Teacher. Check that the children in your group have finished before doing going to ministry time. Ministry Time (15 min) Logistic: Slow Music (Provided by GKidz) Ask the children if there are concerns in their lives that cause them to feel sad, mad or scared. Share with them that the Holy Spirit can comfort them. The Holy Spirit will give them peace. Pray for together with the children that need it. Ask them to repeat after you. Teach them how to pray for help from the Holy Spirit. Pray for a blessing for each child that they will know that the Holy Spirit can be their Friend, Comforter, Helper and Teacher. All they need to do is to pray to ask the Holy Spirit to come and help them. Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 5
References: 1. Sunday School Network 2. Antiochdallas.org Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 6
Appendix A Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 7
Worksheet: Draw on each scroll, a symbol which represent who the Holy Spirit is (Eg. A friend Holy Spirit and Me): i. Luke 2:25-26 (Holy Spirit is Our Friend) ii. Luke 3:22; Matthew 3:16 (Holy Spirit is Our Comforter) iii. John 14:25-26 (Holy Spirit is Our Helper and Teacher) Copyright 2014 by GKidz, FCBC Page 8