Pentecost

OBJECTIVE

Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit descended on the Disciples of Jesus. It is the birth of the church. It happened ten days after He ascended to heaven. It is one of the seven major feasts of the Lord. They are Annunciation, Nativity, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost. They could not receive it until Jesus was glorified at the right hand of God. The purpose of receiving the Holy Spirit is so that He can dwell in us and we can be united with God. His other names are Paraclete (counselor), Advocate, Intercessor, Comforter and Spirit of Truth.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

What happens when it is windy outside? Did you go outside when the wind was very strong? Were you able to stand in one place or was it pushing you? Sometimes, it is so strong, it blows things away. What does it sound like? Can it come into a house when the doors and windows are closed? No, it cannot, but on the day of Pentecost, that is what happened. Only, it was not wind, it was the Holy Spirit.

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

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Read Acts 2:1-47

Memory Verse: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Acts 1:8

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

Jesus rose from the dead after three days. He spent 40 days on earth with His disciples teaching them. He told them to preach to 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. Whenever they met, they closed the doors and windows of the house. On the day of Pentecost, they were sitting in a room of the house. Suddenly, there was a sound like a strong wind and it filled the room. Then tongues of fire appeared on each of their heads.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages.

People who spoke different languages lived in Jerusalem. The Disciples went out and started preaching to them about Jesus in their different languages.The people were amazed and could not understand how the Disciples were able to do that. Some thought there was something wrong with them.

Peter explained to them that Jesus, whom they crucified, was raised from the dead by God, ascended to heaven, sat at the right hand of God and poured out His Holy Spirit on His disciples.

The people after hearing this were hurt by what they had done to Jesus and said, "What should 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

Ask questions about the icon attached below

What does the Holy Spirit do in the sacraments?
How did the Holy Spirit appear to the Disciples?
What power did He give to the Disciples?

LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes

We receive the Holy Spirit during Holy Chrismation. He gives us nine fruits. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These fruits help us to behave like Christians so that people know that we love Jesus and follow His commandments. We can pray to Him to intercede for us like we pray to the saints.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Make tongues of fire headband craft

Song

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS' CORNER

Memorize and explain the fruits of the Holy Spirit with your child. Practice them in your everyday lives. Let them listen to the Fruits of the Holy Spirit song and Asomen hymn.