Bible Passage
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21)

Today is a special day in the church year.  Today is Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit came to the disciples on Pentecost.  First, there was a sound like a mighty wind.  Then flames appeared above the heads of the disciples, but they were not burned.  The disciples received the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised.  The disciples were able to speak in the languages of the people who were in Jerusalem at that time.  The color we use for Pentecost is red because it reminds us of those flames that were above the disciples’ heads.  Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Christian Church because it is the day the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ followers and friends.

Watch this video together:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMQKy1Mx49M

 

Discuss

  • Can you think of a time when the wind did something amazing?
  • How do you think they felt when Jesus’ friends and followers had flames of fire above their heads?
  • If you could travel back in time, would you want to go back to the first Pentecost?  Why or why not?

 

Song

Holy Spirit (sung by Abigail, Nathan, and Peta)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMJne6wUoag

 

Craft

Pentecost Wind Twirlers:  I used a paper plate and cut out the center part of it.  I then cut in a spiral.  I decorated the plate with markers.  I attached a piece of yarn and it can be hung somewhere that it may by moved by a breeze.

 

 

 

Activity

Since Pentecost is sometimes called the Birthday of the Church, why not have a cake?  Add some candles.  Sing “Happy Birthday.”  Give thanks to God for your congregation.

 

Discuss

On Pentecost, Jesus’ friends and followers received the Holy Spirit.  You and I receive the Holy Spirit through baptism.  The Holy Spirit is always with us.  The Holy Spirit guides us.  The Holy Spirit gives us energy to be about God’s work in the world.

  • How do you know when the Holy Spirit is leading you?
  • How can you be about God’s work in the world?

 

Closing Prayer

The season of Easter is 50 days, from Easter Sunday  to Pentecost.  If you have been doing the paperchain since Easter, read through what is written on the links.  You might want to do it during dinner or when you have cake to celebrate Pentecost.

Pray:  Holy Spirit come to us.  Fill us with love, mercy, and energy.  Lead us to help others and to share Gods love with them.  Thank you for always being with us.  (We thank you for these things say the things written on the links of your paperchain or anything for which you are thankful).   Amen

Please note that Sunday School @ Home will go on hiatus over the summer and return in the fall.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  Contact him at [email protected].