Pentecost

OBJECTIVE

The children will learn about this important moment in the life of the apostles and how it ties the Old Testament to the New Testament. Also, to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this moment in the life of the church. At the end of the lesson, students should be able to answer the question of why the church celebrates Pentecost as a major feast in the life of the church.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Review of the Major Feasts we celebrate in the Church: The Annunciation, The Nativity of Christ, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, Feast of Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost.

Discuss why the Church chose those 7 feasts specifically to be major feasts. Explain that they are important events in the life of Jesus Christ.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Acts 2 walks us through the memorable day from the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles to the institution of the first church after St. Peter's Sermon.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2: 1-4)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the day when the Holy Spirit descended onto the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. The tongues of fire sat upon each of the apostles granting them the ability to preach in many different tongues. As they traveled to many different areas, all people were able to hear and understand them in their own native language.

The early church held on to the tradition of calling the Descent of the Holy Spirit "Pentecost" as it happens 50 days after the church's great Passover-The crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On Pentecost, The Lord grants humanity a new gift the apostles and humanity receive the indwelling Holy Spirit the giver of life and comforter promised to us by Jesus Christ.

In Genesis Chapter 2:7, we read, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." St Cyril of Alexandria teaches us that this breath was God's Holy Spirit. Since Adam's fall, humans could not be a temple of the Holy Spirit. In Genesis 6:3 "And the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh." On the Great day of Pentecost, humanity receives back the Holy Spirit which enables us today to baptize new believers in the name of the Holy Trinity and have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us through Chrismation.

Main Events of the Day of Pentecost

The disciples were in Jerusalem in one accord in one place, suddenly a sound of heaven came as a rushing mighty wind, which filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then, there appeared divided tongues of fires that sat upon each of them. They were all filled with The Holy Spirit and began to speak other tongues (languages). This was during a large festival, so Jews from all around the world had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival.

When the sound happened, multitudes gathered and the people were confused, yet amazed they heard the Apostles speak to them in their own language. Some started mocking the disciples and did not believe that this was a divine gift.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Peter gave a famous sermon in Jerusalem explaining some of the prophecies of the old testament and explaining to the Jewish people that Jesus is the Messiah. Many Jewish people were touched by the Sermon and asked Peter and the rest of the Apostles "What shall we do?" A great multitude received St. Peter's words gladly, and three thousand souls were baptized on that day. That is why our church considers The Pentecost as the Birthday of the church.

The gift of the tongues of fire helped to share the word of Jesus Christ with thousands of people and was a pivotal event in the history of Christianity.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

Why is the Pentecost considered the Birthday of the Church?
What is the main gift we got on Pentecost?

LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes

Pentecost is a major feast in our Coptic Orthodox Church. On Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the church and the greatest gift to humanity, The Holy Spirit. The Pentecost is a daily reminder that God is within us.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

As a follow-up to the lesson, have the complete the Pentecost word search and word jumble below.