HOLY SPIRIT WEEK 1 - WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? WEEK 2 - LISTEN UP WEEK 3 - FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT WEEK 4 - EMPOWERED TO GO! This four week series is all about the Holy Spirit! Knowing the power we have access to through the Holy Spirit should change the way we live out this Christian life. Our prayer is that kids would encounter the Holy Spirit and learn to hear his voice. Our dream is to see a generation of kids baptized in the Holy Spirit and taking ground for the Kingdom! Week 1 unpacks who the Holy Spirit is. Through the story of Samson, we look at the power that we get from God. No superhero can match the power of the Holy Spirit and if we are true children of God we can know for certain that we carry a power like none other! Week 2 teaches on how to listen to the Holy Spirit. We look at the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian and we see how he obeyed instantly when he was given instructions. He didn t hesitate or argue - he simply went. Are we obedient to the voice of God? Are we encouraging our kids to be listening out for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit? Week 3 looks at the baptism of Jesus and the fact that we too can be baptized in the spirit. This week should be more practical than anything else. We can talk all we like, but unless kids experience the power of the Holy Spirit they won t truly get it - or at least begin scratching the surface of understanding. Week 4 is focused on empowering kids to go! With the Holy Spirit in us we should be unstoppable. We shouldn t be holding back for a second because there is a mission field out there that needs all of us. Knowing the power within should give us the confidence that everything we do is in God s strength and not our own.
Week 1 Media Clip Story Explaining who the Holy Spirit is Scripture Judges 13-16 Characters Narrator, Samson, Delilah Narrator: We all love superhero s don t we? The cool thing is that all these superhero s use their powers for good. Sometimes their super power is used to save one human being or a helpless animal, but other times it saves the whole planet from evil forces, toxic pollutants, or horrible aliens. With Super Heroes we can see good triumph over evil. We also see an unselfish and right use of power, and we can imagine ourselves with super power bringing about the triumph of good over evil. Now think about this - all of us have super powers too! It s not quite the same as the ones we see in Batman or Superman, but it s a power that comes from the Holy Spirit that s inside each of us. We re going to look at a story where we see the "Spirit of God" coming on a particular man. His name was Samson. He s the guy who pulled down the pillars of the Philistine temple and crushed everyone inside - including himself! The story of Samson begins because the Israelites were once again getting into trouble with God. God decided something had to be done and so to punish them, he put the Philistines in charge of them for forty years. This is where Samson comes in. He would help free the Israelites from the Philistines. Who remembers what God had said about Samson s hair? Yes! It should never be cut. Why? It gave him incredible strength. Samson killed a lion with his bare hands once and fought off 1000 Philistines! He was VERY strong! Now as I m sure you could imagine, the Philistines were desperate to know the secret of Samson s strength. Samson even married a Philistine and the Philistines had asked her to find out what his strength was - they also offered her a lot of money if she did find out. It didn t take Delilah long to decide to do it! That day, when Samson got home, she made him his favourite meal in the hope that he would tell her.
Delilah: My dear, do tell me the secret to your marvellous strength? Samson: Mmm If anyone ties me up with seven brand new bow strings that have been dried out I will be as weak as any other man. That night Delilah told the Philistines and immediately they set out to tie Samson up. When the Philistine men were ready Delilah shouted, Delilah: Samson, the Philistines are here! Without any difficulty Samson snapped the strings. Delilah felt silly and worried that the Philistines wouldn't think that she could find out the secret and then she wouldn't get any money. She tried many other tricks to try find out his strength - but every time she was made to look like a fool. After A LOT of nagging, Samson eventually gave in. Samson: Fine! Enough already! My hair has never been cut - it s a gift from God. If my hair is shaved I will be as weak as any man. Delilah asked the Philistines to give her one more chance. Samson fell asleep on Delilah's lap so she got someone else to shave off his hair. When it was done, Delilah called out, Delilah: Samson, the Philistines are coming! When he woke up, the Philistines grabbed him and this time he couldn t fight them off. They gouged his eyes out and put him in prison. One day during a Philistine celebration, Samson was called out of prison. They wanted to look at the great victory they had having captured their greatest enemy. They tied him up to two large pillars that held the temple up but since his hair had started growing back he regained some of his strength. He cried out to God: Samson: Sovereign Lord remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines! With that, he pulled the chains holding him and in turn pulled down the entire temple killing everyone inside. Even though Samson ended up breaking all of his vows, God still used Samson to defeat the Philistines. It was only through the power of God s Spirit that Samson was able to do what he did.
Week 2 Media Clip Kids testimony of when the Holy Spirit. Story Phillip and the Ethiopian. Along with a leaders testimony. Scripture Acts 8:29 Characters Narrator, Paul, Ethiopian OBJECT LESSON Cake in a mug! This will take a bit of extra prep but will be a great illustration for following instructions. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Directions: -Put the flour, sugar, cocoa powder & baking powder in a mug. -Mix with a fork. Add the milk & vegetable oil and blend until smooth. -Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Discuss: Who here likes cake? Well today we re going to be making a cake in a mug! (You can select a volunteer to help you). Who here knows how to bake a cake? What kind of ingredients do we need in a cake? What makes a cake rise? What does the cocoa do? What if I leave something out? Will the cake still taste yummy? It s important when making a cake to follow the instructions. Why do you think so? (Discuss different outcomes by skipping certain instructions. Not turning on the oven, using car oil instead of cooking oil, etc.) If we don t follow a cake recipe correctly we may have to throw it away. As Christians, if we don t follow God s instructions for our lives we miss out on His best for us and the blessing we receive as a result of our obedience.
Let s look at a story in the Bible where we see a man by the name of Phillip listening to instructions from God. Angel: Phillip! Phillip: (Jumps in fright) yes? Angel: I need you to travel along that dirt road that leads to Gaza. Phillip: Okay! As Phillip went on his way, he saw a very important man riding in a chariot. This man was a chief official of the Queen in Ethiopia. He was reading a scroll from the Old Testament but didn t quite understand it. Phillip went over to the man and began explaining what it meant and also told him all about Jesus. When the chariot passed some water, the official asked Philip to baptize him - and he did! Philip received instructions and didn t hesitate to obey. He immediately obeyed this message from God. He didn t ask questions or argue with God. He didn t tell God he would do it later, he went immediately where God told him to go. WRAP IT UP: How do we know what God s instructions to us are? How do we know when God is speaking to us and instructing us to do things? Remember, he gave us all the instructions we will ever need in the Bible. The Bible is our instruction manual and we have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in our hearts. He gives us instructions if we have learned to recognize His voice. What is your response when God clearly tells you what to do? Do you obey immediately or do you make excuses and delay your obedience to God s instructions? We need to be people who hear God s voice and then act out in obedience.
Media Clip Story Jesus is baptized Scripture Mark 1:8 Characters Narrator, Jesus, John Week 3 Narrator: Hello everyone! I d like to introduce you to John the Baptist! (Have John standing on stage). His clothes were made from camels hair and his daily diet consisted of wild locusts and honey - I m not too sure if that s my idea of a good meal - but that was John! Now John was not ashamed of the Gospel! He would tell everyone who would listen - and even those who wouldn t - about Jesus. When people confessed their sins, he would baptize them. Everyone remember what baptism is? (Do a quick recap if need be: It s an outward representation of what takes place in our hearts when we are saved.) This is what John the Baptist would tell people: John: I baptize you with water, but someone is coming after me who is far more powerful. When he comes He ll baptize you in the Holy Spirit. Narrator: Now one day, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Jesus: John, I ve come here to the Jordan River to be baptized by you. John: (Shocked) Lord you can t be serious? Shouldn t you be the one baptizing me?? Jesus: It's important that I do this now. I am ready and I want to be an example to others and show them that it's important. Narrator: So John took Jesus and baptized Him. He laid him down into the water until He was covered. Then he brought Him back up again. As soon as Jesus was baptized the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit came like a beautiful white dove, and landed right on Jesus shoulder. Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, I love him and I am pleased with him."
Just like the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, Jesus left his Holy Spirit for us too. It won t come in the form of a dove, but we can know the Holy Spirit is real - even though we can t see him. Think of the wind; we can t see the wind but we can see what it does, not so? In a similar way, we can t see the Holy Spirit but we can see what He does. We re going to fast forward a little bit to a time after Jesus had gone back to heaven. The disciples and new believers of Jesus were waiting to receive the Holy Spirit because that's what Jesus told them would happen. Just before Jesus was taken up to heaven he told them that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them and they'd be His witnesses in the whole world (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit becomes a part of us when we become a Christian. The day of Pentecost was a bit different though. People were Christians but the Holy Spirit wasn't a part of them yet. This would be the first time Christians would receive the Holy Spirit. They d come together to thank God and suddenly a sound like the blowing of a strong wind came from heaven; filling the whole house. Next they saw tongues of fire above each of their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages. Have you ever heard the term, speaking in tongues? Well this is what was happening! It s a heavenly language that you won t understand. The Holy Spirit gives you words to say and it s like a secret prayer to Jesus that only He understands. Sometimes when we don t know what to pray, speaking in tongues helps us because the Holy Spirit gives us the words to say. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is when the Holy Spirit comes upon you in a new way. We already have the Holy Spirit in us when we give our hearts to Jesus but when we re baptized in the Holy Spirit it s like a whole new kind of power fills us that empowers us even more to be on mission for Jesus. We know if we ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit if we can speak in tongues - that s physical evidence! PRAY with kids who would like to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Read through the Talk About It section for tips and handles on facilitation of this. Remember, we can t force something like this, it will be different for every kid.
Week 4 Media Clip Story Peter heals and raises to life Scripture Acts 9:32-43 Characters Narrator, Peter, Aeneas, Tabitha, kids Narrator: Today we re going to look at a man named Peter. Peter was one of Jesus disciples and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Now Peter was an incredible man of God filled with lots of faith! One day, Peter went to a place called Lydda. When he got there he found a man named Aeneas. Now Aeneas was paralyzed and so that meant he couldn t walk. (Have Peter walk towards Aeneas as you narrate) Peter: Aeneas. I am here because I believe that Jesus wants to heal you. Get up and make your bed! Aeneas: (Seeming a bit uncertain at first). You mean I m healed? I can walk!? Peter: (Excited) Yes, now get up! Narrator: Immediately Aeneas got up and walked around. Everyone in the city heard what had happened and saw Aeneas walking around. They gave their lives to Jesus without any hesitation because they saw the incredible work that He had just done. Because of Peter s obedience, many people were saved! But now that wasn t all, while Peter was still in Lydda, a disciple named Tabitha died. She was a woman of God but had become very ill. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, asking him to come as soon as he could. They believed that Peter would be able to raise Tabitha back to life. So off Peter went...
When he arrived they took him to the room where they had laid the body of Tabitha. There were woman all around weeping and wailing. Peter sent all of them outside and then went and knelt down at Tabitha s bedside and began praying for her. Peter: Tabitha, arise! Narrator: At that moment, Tabitha opened her eyes and when she saw Peter she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. He called everyone that was outside and showed them that she was now alive! Everyone in Joppa was saved and gave their lives to Jesus because of what they saw. Peter Understood what being on mission meant. He knew he was empowered by the Holy Spirit and so therefore had all he needed for the mission. Through Peter s obedience and faith, many people came to know Jesus. WRAP IT UP: Are we living like Peter? Are we living crazy Christian lives where we don t hold back? Are we seeing miracles? Just like Peter, the Holy Spirit is in all of us who have given our lives to Jesus and it s Him who gives us power. Remember we said the Holy Spirit is like our own personal superhero. Well, because we have Him inside us, we have the same power. All of us have been EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit to GO! We need to be Christians on a mission for Jesus so that we can see our families, our schools and our cities saved!
BIG GROUP GAMES WEEK 1 - FLYING SCHOOL! -Cut out some holes in a large piece of paper as seen in the picture alongside. -Cut holes of different sizes and give each hole a Score. -Select 4-5 volunteers to play. -Give them 2 minutes to fold their own paper plane and then give each contestant 4 chances to see how many holes they can get their plane through. -The person who scores the most WINS! WEEK 2 - STICK IT! -Select a few volunteers and pair them up. -Give one person in each pair a pack of sticky notes. -On GO, teams race to see who can finish their pack of sticky notes first by sticking them on their other team mate. -The first team to have all their sticky notes stuck to the appointed person, WINS!
WEEK 3 - HOLD THE BALLOON -Divide your kids up into their different age groups. -Give each child a balloon and have them blow it up and tie it. -Then have them all line up and place the balloons between them as seen in the picture. -Then see who can walk around the room without dropping any balloons. -The team to successfully do this WINS! WEEK 4 - STACK IT -Select a few volunteers. -Set out a whole lot of plastic cups and give contestants a time limit to see who can stack the most. -The cups need to be stacked bottom to bottom then top to top. -If the cups fall over they need to start from the beginning.
Week 1 - Who is the Holy Spirit? (0-1) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Explaining who the Holy Spirit is Scripture: John 14:16-17 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit is God Activity SUPER HERO CUFFS -Give each kid two toilet rolls. -Have them decorate them however they like. -Cut a slit in the toilet roll to enable them to fit it onto their wrists. Toilet rolls Items Required Decorating materials Scissors Explain how the Holy Spirit is like our own personal super hero and because we all have the Holy Spirit inside us, we too carry the power of Jesus.
ULTIMATE SUPERHERO! Talk About It -Do you enjoy watching TV shows and movies about superhero s? -Who is your favourite superhero? -Why? -What super powers do they have? -Do these superhero s use their power for good or for bad? -What do they use them for? -If you could be any superhero who would you choose to be? -What super powers would you want if you can choose to have anything? -Why would you want to have these super powers? (Allow them to go wild with their imaginations and get them chatting.) OUR PERSONAL SUPERHERO Do you know that every single one of us has our own personal super hero? -Who do you think that is? (The Holy Spirit) -What is the Holy Spirit? (He is a person and part of the trinity - Father, Son & Holy Spirit) -Where does the Holy Spirit stay? (In our hearts) -What does he do? He makes us feel better when we are sad He makes us brave when we are scared He is with us when we feel lonely He shows us what to do when we don t know what to do The Holy Spirit is our own personal superhero who is ALWAYS with us! We never have to be scared of anything because He is with us. -How does it feel to know you have your own superhero?
Week 1 - Who is the Holy Spirit? (2-3) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Explaining who the Holy Spirit is Scripture: John 14:16-17 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit is God GIRLS FIRE DANCERS Activity Elastic Band Items Required Red & gold ribbon/fabric -Give each girl an elastic band and a few strips of fabric/ribbon. -Have them attach these to the elastic band as seen in the picture. -They can one for each wrist. -Explain that the Holy Spirit is like fire! He gives us power. GUYS POPSICLE SUPER HERO S -Give each kid in your group a popsicle stick and a piece of coloured cardboard. -Cut a triangular shape to stick on as a cape and a small rectangle to stick on as the mask. -Draw eyes and a mouth and on the stick have them write a big HS to stand for the Holy Spirit. Popsicle stick Coloured cardboard Glue & Scissors Koki s/writing materials
ULTIMATE SUPERHERO! Talk About It -Who is your favourite superhero? Why? -What super powers do they have? -What do they use them for? -If you could be any superhero who would you choose to be? -What super powers would you want if you can choose to have anything? Why would you want to have these super powers? Do you know that we all have our own personal super hero? -Who is that? (The Holy Spirit) -What is the Holy Spirit? (He is a person and part of the trinity) -Where does the Holy Spirit stay? (In our hearts) -What does he do? He comforts us when we are sad or lonely He gives us courage when we re scared He gives us power to do God s work and share the Gospel He guides us and protects us and helps us in situations where we re not sure what to do. Imagine the Holy Spirit as the Human Torch from the Fantastic Four. That s kind of like what the Holy Spirit is to us. He is fully God but also a person. -How does it feel to know you have your own personal superhero? (This knowledge should empower us to confidently be on mission for Jesus. When we know the power in us it should change how we live.)
Week 1 - Who is the Holy Spirit? (4-5) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Explaining who the Holy Spirit is Scripture: John 14:16-17 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit is God Activity GIRLS FIRE DANCERS Elastic Band Items Required Red & gold ribbon/fabric -Give each girl an elastic band and a few strips of fabric/ribbon. -Have them attach these to the elastic band as seen in the picture. -They can one for each wrist. -Explain that the Holy Spirit is like fire! He gives us power. GUYS POPSICLE SUPER HERO S -Give each kid in your group a popsicle stick and a piece of coloured cardboard. -Cut a triangular shape to stick on as a cape and a small rectangle to stick on as the mask. -Draw eyes and a mouth and on the stick have them write a big HS to stand for the Holy Spirit. Popsicle stick Coloured cardboard Glue & Scissors Koki s/writing materials
Talk About It Open up by having your kids chat about their favourite superhero s: Why are they your favourite superhero? What super powers do they have? What do they use their super powers for? Which superhero would you like to be and why? READ JOHN 14:16-18 -What do you understand by this scripture? (Allow them to discuss it) -Who is the Holy Spirit? What do you understand about Him? (Part of the trinity, he is a person, he lives in every one of us.) -Let s think of the Holy Spirit as our own personal superhero. -How do you think he is far greater and more powerful than any other superhero? (He always wins, he protects and guides us, he knows us, he speaks to us personally, he knows just what we need, he gives us power to be able to be Christians who make a difference in this world.) SCRIPTURES ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT: Get different kids in your group to read the scriptures and first see what they understand by them. Revelation 21:3 - The Holy Spirit lives inside us 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our body is a home to the Holy Spirit. When we give God our lives, He makes our body a holy place. Acts 2:1-3 - The Holy Spirit came as fire John 3:8 - Just like wind, we can t see the Holy Spirit but we can see the effects of Him just like we see the trees blowing. 1 Kings 19:11-12 - The Holy Spirit comes is a still small voice so you need to listen in order to hear Him. REMEMBER He is a mystery. He is not like anything we know. We can t draw Him, explain Him, or compare Him. But we can trust Him and we can know that He is good.
Week 1 - Who is the Holy Spirit? (6-7) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Explaining who the Holy Spirit is Scripture: John 14:16-17 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit is God Activity WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT TO YOU? White paper Items Required Super Hero Words Template -After your small group discussion, give your group some time to think over and meditate on who they understand the Holy Spirit to be. -The most important thing is for them to know that the Holy Spirit is God. -Also, the Holy Spirit is POWER and through Him we are EMPOWERED. -Give them time to write down some of their thoughts. If they like they can use the cut outs provided to decorate. The Holy Spirit is like our own personal super hero. He protects us and guides us and always with us.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? Talk About It -He is called by many different names in the Bible (Genesis 6:3, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Hebrews 9:14). -His names & titles as well as His attributes prove that He is God. He is holy, eternal, all knowing, all-powerful, and always present. (1 Corinthians 2:11, Job 33:4, Psalm 139:7-8). -Jesus named the Holy Spirit as an equal member of the Trinity. We are to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO? 1. He Convicts Us -Read John 16:8 The Holy Spirit shows us when we have sinned. His aim is to remind us of our sin so that we realize our need of salvation. Do your sins bother you? Have you responded to the convicting work of the Spirit of God by seeking salvation? 2. He Lives in Us -Read John 14:17 & Acts 2:4 -The Holy Spirit has made His home in believers. He can take up residence because God has taken over the ownership. -Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 3. He Comforts & Teaches Us -Read 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 & John 14:16 When you re going through a rough time, where is the first place you go? Have you experienced the comfort of the Holy Spirit? Pray that you would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and learn to hear and recognize his still soft voice.
Week 2 - Listen Up! (0-1) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Philip and the Eunuch Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit speaks to me Activity Items Required JOURNALING -Give every child an A5. -Allow them to cover the book & decorate it. -Explain to them that this is going to be their journal where they keep track of all the things the Holy Spirit tells them or shows them. -Allow time for them to decorate their book, but then also make sure there is a good amount of time for them to wait on the Holy Spirit and write down or draw what they hear or see. -Encourage them to keep this journal next to their beds at all time to be ready to make an entry when the Holy Spirit speaks! A5 Book Wrapping paper/book cover Decorating materials Writing/colouring materials
Talk About It FOR THE LEADERS: -Read Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. As young as these kids are, the Holy Spirit can still speak to them and us as leaders need to fan this great privilege into flame. It s important to identity the different learning types of the different kids in our group as this will help us best facilitate how they hear the Holy Spirit: Audible - maybe listening to Christian music helps them to feel the Holy Spirit and tune into what He could be saying. Kinaesthetic - This is the type of kid who can never sit still and always wants to be doing something adventurous. It could mean taking the outside to look at nature and see all that God has made. The Holy Spirit can speak through creation and kids get to understand more about the majesty and bigness of God through creation. Visual - Maybe they like to read their Bibles if they re able to read or even look at the pictures in the Bible. The Holy Spirit can speak to them through pictures too. Maybe they like to draw pictures which means you could encourage them to draw whatever they feel on their hearts. A combination of two or all of them. -It s important to realize that all kids are different and if we are to show them this beautiful aspect to Christianity where we get to hear the Holy Spirit we need to take the time and see what would best suit their individual characters. -Also, don t give up! Some kids will get it instantly while other kids may take longer to grasp the concept. -In whichever form works for your different kids, encourage them to listen and explain that Jesus wants to talk to them. Explain that his voice is not always like ours when we talk but he speaks in many different ways as mentioned earlier. Most importantly, come prayed up! If we re not pushing in to hear His voice we ll have little chance convincing our kids - lead by example!
Week 2 - Listen Up! (2-3) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Philip and the Eunuch Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit speaks to me JOURNALING Activity -Give every child an A5. -Allow them to cover the book & decorate it. -Explain to them that this is going to be their journal where they keep track of all the things the Holy Spirit tells them or shows them. -Allow time for them to decorate their book, but then also make sure there is a good amount of time for them to wait on the Holy Spirit and write down or draw what they hear or see. -Encourage them to keep this journal next to their beds at all time to be ready to make an entry when the Holy Spirit speaks! A5 Book Items Required Wrapping paper/book cover Decorating materials Writing/colouring materials
Talk About It PRACTICAL LESSON ON THE PROPHETIC. As the small group leader, you will need to bring along a few items with you. (You can choose to use only one if you like.) When you begin your small group discussion begin by asking the kids if they know how to hear the Holy Spirit? Ask them if the Holy Spirit has ever spoken to them? How? When? Then place the item(s) in the middle of the group. Explain to them that they are going to be doing an activity where they learn to hear the Holy Spirit speak. Make sure every kid gets a chance to speak and let s watch and see what the Holy Spirit does! 1. To begin with, go around the circle & have everyone point out at face value what the item is. (Book, knife, cup, ruler, phone, etc.) 2. Then ask them to give a bit more of a description about the item. (It s a long book, the knife is sharp, the cup is empty, etc.) 3. For your third round, ask them to say what the item reminds them of. (Maybe the book reminds them of reading on a rainy day, the phone could remind them of talking to family who live far away, the cup could remind them of dinner time, etc.) 4. Now for the fourth round, ask them to look a bit deeper into the item. Ask them to think about what lesson from Jesus we can learn by looking at these items. (The cup could represent the fact that we need to be filled by Jesus everyday just like a cup is filled with juice or water, the phone could represent the direct access we have to Jesus through prayer you get the picture!) 5. Finally, for your last round, ask them to close their eyes and think about the items they have seen. Tell them to listen to the Holy Spirit and ask Him if there is anything He wants you to say to someone through them. Explain that all words from the Holy Spirit are meant to encourage people and show them the love of Jesus. (It would be helpful if you shared so they can understand more clearly what you meant.) Then just let the Holy Spirit do what the Holy Spirit needs to do! Let s encourage our kids to be prophetic and learn to hear the Holy Spirit in the simplest ways.
Week 2 - Listen Up! (4-5) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Philip and the Eunuch Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit speaks to me Activity Items Required JOURNALING -Give every child an A5. -Allow them to cover the book & decorate it. -Explain to them that this is going to be their journal where they keep track of all the things the Holy Spirit tells them or shows them. -Allow time for them to decorate their book, but then also make sure there is a good amount of time for them to wait on the Holy Spirit and write down or draw what they hear or see. -Encourage them to keep this journal next to their beds at all time to be ready to make an entry when the Holy Spirit speaks! A5 Book Wrapping paper/book cover Decorating materials Writing/colouring materials
Talk About It PRACTICAL LESSON ON THE PROPHETIC. As the small group leader, you will need to bring along a few items with you. (You can choose to use only one if you like.) When you begin your small group discussion begin by asking the kids if they know how to hear the Holy Spirit? Ask them if the Holy Spirit has ever spoken to them? How? When? Then place the item(s) in the middle of the group. Explain to them that they are going to be an activity where they learn to hear the Holy Spirit speak. Make sure every kid gets a chance to speak and let s watch and see what the Holy Spirit does! 1. To begin with, go around the circle & have everyone point out at face value what the item is. (Book, knife, cup, ruler, phone, etc.) 2. Then ask them to give a bit more of a description about the item. (It s a long book, the knife is sharp, the cup is empty, etc.) 3. For your third round, ask them to say what the item reminds them of. (Maybe the book reminds them of reading on a rainy day, the phone could remind them of talking to family who live far away, the cup could remind them of dinner time, etc.) 4. Now for the fourth round, ask them to look a bit deeper into the item. Ask them to think about what lesson from Jesus we can learn by looking at these items. (The cup could represent the fact that we need to be filled by Jesus everyday just like a cup is filled with juice or water, the phone could represent the direct access we have to Jesus through prayer you get the picture!) 5. Finally, for your last round, ask them to close their eyes and think about the items they have seen. Tell them to listen to the Holy Spirit and ask Him if there is anything He wants you to say to someone through them. Explain that all words from the Holy Spirit are meant to encourage people and show them the love of Jesus. (It would be helpful if you shared so they can understand more clearly what you meant.) Then just let the Holy Spirit do what the Holy Spirit needs to do! Let s encourage our kids to be prophetic and learn to hear the Holy Spirit in the simplest ways.
Week 2 - Listen Up! (6-7) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Philip and the Eunuch Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit speaks to me Activity Items Required JOURNALING -Give every child an A5. -Allow them to cover the book & decorate it. -Explain to them that this is going to be their journal where they keep track of all the things the Holy Spirit tells them or shows them. -Allow time for them to decorate their book, but then also make sure there is a good amount of time for them to wait on the Holy Spirit and write down or draw what they hear or see. -Encourage them to keep this journal next to their beds at all time to be ready to make an entry when the Holy Spirit speaks! A5 Book Wrapping paper/book cover Decorating materials Writing/colouring materials
Talk About It PRACTICAL LESSON ON THE PROPHETIC. As the small group leader, you will need to bring along a few items with you. (You can choose to use only one if you like.) When you begin your small group discussion begin by asking the kids if they know how to hear the Holy Spirit? Ask them if the Holy Spirit has ever spoken to them? How? When? Then place the item(s) in the middle of the group. Explain to them that they are going to be an activity where they learn to hear the Holy Spirit speak. Make sure every kid gets a chance to speak and let s watch and see what the Holy Spirit does! 1. To begin with, go around the circle & have everyone point out at face value what the item is. (Book, knife, cup, ruler, phone, etc.) 2. Then ask them to give a bit more of a description about the item. (It s a long book, the knife is sharp, the cup is empty, etc.) 3. For your third round, ask them to say what the item reminds them of. (Maybe the book reminds them of reading on a rainy day, the phone could remind them of talking to family who live far away, the cup could remind them of dinner time, etc.) 4. Now for the fourth round, ask them to look a bit deeper into the item. Ask them to think about what lesson from Jesus we can learn by looking at these items. (The cup could represent the fact that we need to be filled by Jesus everyday just like a cup is filled with juice or water, the phone could represent the direct access we have to Jesus through prayer you get the picture!) 5. Finally, for your last round, ask them to close their eyes and think about the items they have seen. Tell them to listen to the Holy Spirit and ask Him if there is anything He wants you to say to someone through them. Explain that all words from the Holy Spirit are meant to encourage people and show them the love of Jesus. (It would be helpful if you shared so they can understand more clearly what you meant.) Then just let the Holy Spirit do what the Holy Spirit needs to do! Let s encourage our kids to be prophetic and learn to hear the Holy Spirit in the simplest ways.
Week 3 - Filled with His Spirit (0-1) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: The baptism of Jesus Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 Bottom Line: We can be baptized in the Holy Spirit Activity Items Required JESUS IS BAPTIZED -Colour in the picture of John baptizing Jesus and stick to the cup. -Then cut out and stick the cloud and dove onto the popsicle stick. -Cut a slit in the bottom of the cup for the popsicle stick to fit through. (Make sure a leader does this.) -Pull the popsicle stick down from the bottom of the cup and re-enact the story. Polystyrene/paper cup Picture Dove & Cloud template Popsicle Stick Craft glue & Scissors Colouring materials Craft knife (To be used by the leader only)
Talk About It UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF BEING FILLED 1. EXPLAIN to your kids that if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour then the Holy Spirit is already inside you. (1 Corinthians 6:19) 2. RECAP what the Holy Spirit does. He let s us know what is right and wrong. He gives us the power to be the example of Jesus to others. 3. Being BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit is DIFFERENT to having the Holy Spirit inside you when you asked Jesus into your hearts. When this happens we experience MORE of God s POWER and we experience MORE of His PRESENCE. FACILITATION: Begin by asking your kids a few questions: -If you ask Jesus to baptize you in the Spirit he will give you the ability to speak in a new language. Do you want that? (Explain what speaking in tongues are, but never put any pressure on them. It will happen when they feel ready.) -Lead them in a prayer like this, Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit so I can have the power to be a witness for you. Fill my mouth and my heart with praise to you. Thank you for giving me the ability to speak in languages I've never known before. I have received everything you promised. Help me to use my new spiritual language. Amen." SPEAKING IN TONGUES: -TELL THEM that Jesus won t take over their voice or mouth. They must choose to say the words that the Holy Spirit gives them. There are probably unusual sounding words going through their minds. Ask them to say the words they hear. Some may do this quietly; others may be excited and say these words loudly. Don t suggest words. -EXPLAIN that speaking in "tongues" is not taught or learned; it is the proof that you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. The next lot evidence is to show the "fruit of the spirit" in their lives.
Week 3 - Filled with His Spirit (2-3) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: The baptism of Jesus Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 Bottom Line: We can be baptized in the Holy Spirit Activity JESUS IS BAPTIZED -Colour in the picture of John baptizing Jesus and stick to the cup. -Then cut out and stick the cloud and dove onto the popsicle stick. -Cut a slit in the bottom of the cup for the popsicle stick to fit through. (Make sure a leader does this.) -Pull the popsicle stick down from the bottom of the cup and re-enact the story. Items Required Polystyrene/paper cup Picture Dove & Cloud template Popsicle Stick Craft glue & Scissors Colouring materials Craft knife (Used by the leader only)
Talk About It UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF BEING FILLED 1. EXPLAIN to your kids that if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour then the Holy Spirit is already inside you. (1 Corinthians 6:19) 2. RECAP what the Holy Spirit does. He let s us know what is right and wrong. He gives us the power to be the example of Jesus to others. 3. Being BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit is DIFFERENT to having the Holy Spirit inside you when you asked Jesus into your hearts. When this happens we experience MORE of God s POWER and we experience MORE of His PRESENCE. FACILITATION: Begin by asking your kids a few questions: -If you ask Jesus to baptize you in the Spirit he will give you the ability to speak in a new language. Do you want that? (Explain what speaking in tongues are, but never put any pressure on them. It will happen when they feel ready.) -Lead them in a prayer like this, Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit so I can have the power to be a witness for you. Fill my mouth and my heart with praise to you. Thank you for giving me the ability to speak in languages I've never known before. I have received everything you promised. Help me to use my new spiritual language. Amen." SPEAKING IN TONGUES: -TELL THEM that Jesus won t take over their voice or mouth. They must choose to say the words that the Holy Spirit gives them. There are probably unusual sounding words going through their minds. Ask them to say the words they hear. Some may do this quietly; others may be excited and say these words loudly. Don t suggest words. -EXPLAIN that speaking in "tongues" is not taught or learned; it is the proof that you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. The next lot evidence is to show the "fruit of the spirit" in their lives.
Week 3 - Filled with His Spirit (4-5) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: The baptism of Jesus Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 Bottom Line: We can be baptized in the Holy Spirit Activity HOLY SPIRIT PIN WHEELS -Cut out the paper pinwheel square. -Cut the diagonal lines. -Glue the corners with the dots to the centre, one on top of the other. -Cut out and glue the fiery dove to one of the pinwheel peddles. -Make one hole through the centre of the pin wheel using a punch. (Be careful not to crush the pinwheel.) Items Required Pin Wheel Template Colouring materials Craft glue & Scissors Pipe cleaners Pencil Punch -Twist the pipe cleaner around the pencil top. Make sure it's tight. -Put the pipe cleaner through the pinwheel centre. Wrap the end of the pipe cleaner around itself making a ball, but leave space to allow the pinwheel to spin.
Talk About It UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF BEING FILLED 1. EXPLAIN to your kids that if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour then the Holy Spirit is already inside you. (1 Corinthians 6:19) 2. RECAP what the Holy Spirit does. He lets us know what is right and wrong. He gives us the power to be the example of Jesus to others. 3. Being BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit is DIFFERENT to having the Holy Spirit inside you when you asked Jesus into your hearts. When this happens we experience MORE of God s POWER and we experience MORE of His PRESENCE. FACILITATION: Begin by asking your kids a few questions: -If you ask Jesus to baptize you in the Spirit he will give you the ability to speak in a new language. Do you want that? (Explain what speaking in tongues is, but never put any pressure on them. It will happen when they feel ready.) -Lead them in a prayer like this, Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit so I can have the power to be a witness for you. Fill my mouth and my heart with praise to you. Thank you for giving me the ability to speak in languages I've never known before. I have received everything you promised. Help me to use my new spiritual language. Amen." SPEAKING IN TONGUES: -TELL THEM that Jesus won t take over their voice or mouth. They must choose to say the words that the Holy Spirit gives them. There are probably unusual sounding words going through their minds. Ask them to say the words they hear. Some may do this quietly; others may be excited and say these words loudly. Don t suggest words. -EXPLAIN that speaking in "tongues" is not taught or learned; it is the proof that you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. The next lot evidence is to show the "fruit of the spirit" in their lives.
Week 3 - Filled with His Spirit (6-7) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: The baptism of Jesus Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 Bottom Line: We can be baptized in the Holy Spirit Activity Items Required HOLY SPIRIT PIN WHEELS -Cut out the paper pinwheel square. -Cut the diagonal lines. -Glue the corners with the dots to the centre, one on top of the other. -Cut out and glue the firey dove to one of the pinwheel peddles. -Make one hole through the centre of the pin wheel using a punch. (Be careful not to crush the pinwheel.) -Twist the pipe cleaner around the pencil top. Make sure it's tight. -Put the pipe cleaner through the pinwheel centre. Wrap the end of the pipe cleaner around itself making a ball, but leave space to allow the pinwheel to spin. Pin Wheel Template Colouring materials Craft glue & Scissors Pipe cleaner Pencil Punch
Talk About It HOW IS BEING BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT DIFFERENT TO HAVING THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE US? Begin your group time by asking them to recap their understanding of the Holy Spirit. Chat about what the Holy does (leads/guides us & empowers us). Ask them if they know what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? -Being BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit is DIFFERENT to having the Holy Spirit inside you when you asked Jesus into your hearts. When this happens we experience MORE of God s POWER and we experience MORE of His PRESENCE. WHY SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED? -Acts 1:4-5 -John 16:13 -Acts 1:8 -Jude 20 -Romans 8:26-27 WHAT IS THE SIGN OF BEING BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT? -Speaking in tongues is the physical evidence that a person has been filled with the Holy Spirit. Read Acts 2, 10, 19 FACILITATION: -Make sure your environment is welcoming for this type of ministry. -Explain that it s not weird - it s something God has instructed us to do. -Why wouldn t we want to have even more power from the Holy Spirit to be able to do God s work? -Begin by asking who wants to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? (Don t put pressure on anyone; it will happen when they are ready. Ask them why they don t want to if that s the case and chat with them.) -Pray for those who want to receive it. -Explain that Jesus won t take over their voice or mouth. They must choose to say the words that the Holy Spirit gives them. There are probably unusual sounding words going through their minds.
Week 4 - Empowered to GO (0-1) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Peter heals and raises to life Scripture: Acts 9:32-43 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit guides us Activity SUPERHERO CAPE -Give each child in your group a rectangular piece of fabric (roughly 60cm x 40cm) -Help them cut any shape they like. -Cut a neck hole that they can easily fit their head into. (You don t have to cut an opening as seen in the picture) -Once they have their cape shape, allow them to draw a superhero sign on it. -Explain to them that the Holy Spirit gives us all the strength and bravery we need to go out and take over the world for Jesus. Fabric Scissors Items Required Permanent markers Scrap fabric (to decorate) Glitter glue (Girls) Fabric/craft glue
Talk About It At the beginning of this series we chatted about our favourite superhero s and why we love them. We spoke about their super powers and what super powers we would choose to have if we could. LET S RECAP: -Who is the ultimate Superhero? (The Holy Spirit) -Where does he live? (In our hearts) -What does he give us? (Power) EVERY SUPERHERO NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE A SUPERHERO! -How do we know the difference between a villain and a superhero? (A villain does harm to people & a superhero only does good) -What good things do superhero s do? (They protect people, they save people, they are kind to people, they help people, etc.) -How should we act to show people that we are children of God and have the Holy Spirit inside of us? (We need to show the fruit of the spirit in the way we act and in the way we treat people) WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT? READ GALATIANS 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -If we re acting in this way then we re using our super powers from the Holy Spirit in the right way! *Throw out some statements and have your kids say whether what they did would be good fruit or bad fruit: -Trusting God when you re worried -Being selfish -Thanking God for all he has given us -Fighting with our friends/parents/siblings -Helping the new kid at school make friends -Loving Jesus and wanting to do what is right -Lying or stealing from someone -Helping my mom clean the house (You can make up some more of your own.)
Week 4 - Empowered to GO (2-3) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Peter heals and raises to life Scripture: Acts 9:32-43 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit guides us Activity SUPERHERO CAPE -Give each child in your group a rectangular piece of fabric (roughly 60cm x 40cm) -Have them cut any shape they like. -Help them cut a neck hole that they can easily fit their head into. (You don t have to cut an opening as seen in the picture) -Once they have their cape shape, allow them to draw a superhero sign on it. -Explain to them that the Holy Spirit gives us all the strength and bravery we need to go out and take over the world for Jesus. Fabric Scissors Items Required Permanent markers Scrap fabric (to decorate) Glitter glue (Girls)
Talk About It At the beginning of this series we chatted about our favourite superhero s and why we love them. We spoke about their super powers and what super powers we would choose to have if we could. LET S RECAP: -Who is the ultimate Superhero? (The Holy Spirit) -Where does he live? (In our hearts) -What does he give us? (Power) EVERY SUPERHERO NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE A SUPERHERO! -How do we know the difference between a villain and a superhero? (A villain does harm to people & a superhero only does good) -What good things do superhero s do? (They protect people, they save people, they are kind to people, they help people, etc.) -How should we act to show people that we are children of God and have the Holy Spirit inside of us? (We need to show the fruit of the spirit in the way we act and in the way we treat people) WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT? READ GALATIANS 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -If we re acting in this way then we re using our super powers from the Holy Spirit in the right way! *Throw out some statements and have your kids say whether what they did would be good fruit or bad fruit: -Trusting God when you re worried -Being selfish -Thanking God for all he has given us -Fighting with our friends/parents/siblings -Helping the new kid at school make friends -Loving Jesus and wanting to do what is right -Lying or stealing from someone -Helping my mom clean the house (You can make up some more of your own.)
Week 4 - Empowered to GO (4-5) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Peter heals and raises to life Scripture: Acts 9:32-43 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit guides us Activity Items Required FINGER SUPERHERO S -Give each child a square piece of paper. Have them secure this around their finger with glue as seen in the picture alongside. -Then, using the double sided tape, have them stick the small super hero mask onto the top of their finger. -Don t forget to add some hair using koki s. -Go around the group and allow each child to say what super powers their finger superhero has. How has God equipped them to be on mission for him? Square cape Mask Template Glue Double sided tape (Not the very strong type.) Koki s
Talk About It LET S LOOK AT JESUS: -Jesus was born by the work of the Spirit. -Jesus was led by the Spirit to suffer temptation and resist. -Jesus was empowered by the Spirit to do the ministry he did. -Jesus was full of wisdom and knowledge by the Holy Spirit. -Jesus spoke only the words given him by the Spirit; -Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit. NOW HERE S THE COOL THING We have the same Spirit living in us! THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US POWER -When we think of the fact that the Holy Spirit gives us power, how should this change the way we live as Christians? We should be courageous We should be unashamed to spread the Gospel We can trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us We can be confident that there is nothing to fear with Him in us. THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO SHOWS US OUR SIN. -He guides us so we know when we are doing the right or the wrong thing. -The way we live and the fruit we produce will show whether or not we are living by His guidance or simply doing our own thing. ARE WE BEARING GOOD OR BAD FRUIT? -What is good fruit? (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc...) -What is bad fruit? (Selfishness, jealousy, greed, dishonesty, etc...) -How do we make sure we produce only good fruit? (We allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and change us.) -Can you think of a time or a situation where the Holy Spirit guided you stay away from something you were going to do that was wrong or guided you into something that was good for you? (Allow kids to share stories of where the Holy Spirit has given them discernment.)
Week 4 - Empowered to GO (6-7) Memory Verse: But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD Micah 3:8 Story: Peter heals and raises to life Scripture: Acts 9:32-43 Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit guides us Activity Items Required SUPERHERO BADGES -Using felt, make any shaped badge you like (approx. 5cm x 5cm) -Then cut out an H and an S to represent the Holy Spirit. -The Holy Spirit empowers us to go out and be on mission! -We re qualified not because of what we can do but because of whose we are! -The power of the Holy Spirit qualifies us. Felt material Fabric Glue Flat back safety pins