Pentecost

OBJECTIVE

Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit descended on the Disciples of Jesus ten days after He ascended to Heaven. It is called the "birth of the church." His other names are Paraclete (counselor), Advocate, Intercessor, Comforter and Spirit of Truth. We can pray to Him to intercede for us like we pray to the saints. The purpose of receiving the Holy Spirit is so that He can dwell in us and we can be united with God. The Disciples could not receive it until Jesus was glorified at the right hand of God. It is one of the seven Major Feasts. The others are Annunciation, Nativity, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, Resurrection and Ascension

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

What languages do you speak? Does anyone speak German, Italian or Korean? How long do you think it would take you to learn a new language? A few days or weeks? Probably longer than that. It can take years to learn a new language. Not for the Disciples though. They learned to speak new languages in an instant, on the day of Pentecost.

Sing Asomen and explain to the children when we sing this hymn

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Read Acts 2: 1-47

Memory Verse "And I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of Truth, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead after three days. He spent 40 days on earth with His Disciples, teaching them, telling them to preach to the people, baptize them and take their confessions.

One day, He appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." He then breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained." They received the Holy Spirit on that day. They were filled with it on the day of Pentecost.

The disciples were afraid of the Jews. Every time they met in the house, they kept the doors and windows closed. On the day of Pentecost, they were in a room in the house. Suddenly, there was a sound like a strong wind and it filled the room. Then, tongues of fire sat on top of each of their heads.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and started speaking different languages. There were people in Jerusalem who spoke different languages. The disciples went out and spoke to them in their languages and they were able to understand them. They were amazed and could not understand how the Disciples were able to do this. They thought there was something wrong with them.

Peter, one of the Disciples, told them that Jesus, whom they crucified, rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. When He was glorified at the right hand of God and received from Him the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured it out on His Disciples. This is why they can speak different languages.

The people were hurt by what they did to Jesus. They said, "What can we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That day, 3,000 people were baptized.

We receive the Holy Spirit when we are anointed with the Holy Myron during the mystery of Chrismation. This along with Baptism and Communion are the first of the seven sacraments. The Holy Spirit blesses all of them.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

Discuss the Pentecost icon attached below

What are the names of the Holy spirit?
What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
What does He do in the sacraments?
What power did He give the Disciples?
How did He appear?

LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes

We receive the Holy Spirit when we are anointed with the Holy Myron during the mystery of Chrismation. He gives us nine fruits. They are peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self control. These fruits help us to be good Christians so people know that we love God and follow His commandments.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Orange Fruit of the Spirit Craft

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS' CORNER

Memorize and practice the Fruit of the Holy Spirit with your children. Teach them that they can pray to Him to intercede for us like we pray to the saints.