Introduction

• In the last lesson, we learned about the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Two women went to Jesus’ tomb. They met an angel there! But what was not in the tomb? ( Jesus’ body.)
• Today, we will learn about the different ways the Holy Spirit can give us power.

Bible Story

After Jesus returned to heaven, his followers continued to meet together. One day, while they were gathered in one place, there was a noise from heaven. Suddenly, it sounded like a mighty wind had filled the house, and it looked like fiery tongues were moving in all directions. A tongue of fire came and settled on every person who was there.
They were filled with God’s Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in whatever languages the Spirit would let them speak. A crowd started to gather because of all the noise. When the people heard the followers of Jesus speaking in all the different languages, they were excited and
amazed. They were hearing everything in their own languages!
But some of the people thought Jesus’ followers were just drunk.
Then, Peter stood up and boldly preached about Jesus to the crowd.
“We are not drunk,” Peter said. “It is a sign that God has sent his Spirit to us. God wants us all to teach everyone about Jesus, who is God’s Son. He died on the cross, was buried, and came back to life! And God will save everyone who asks for salvation.”
“But what should we do?” the people asked.
“Turn back to God,” Peter replied. “And be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Many people chose to do this. In fact, on that day, about three thousand people chose to trust in Jesus and were baptized in his name. These new believers spent time together learning from Jesus’ disciples and treating each other like family. Others saw this and decided to become believers in Jesus, too.

Review

There is only one God. But he exists as three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each of these is fully God.

After Jesus returned to heaven, God sent his Holy Spirit to help his followers. The disciples knew when his Spirit arrived because there was a mighty wind, and fiery tongues rested on each of them.
God’s Holy Spirit is still present and powerful today, too. He lives inside every believer (John 14:17). We cannot see him with our eyes. But if we pay attention, we can be aware that he is with us. He comforts us, teaches us, guides us, and gives us power to follow Jesus.

1. What did the Holy Spirit enable Jesus’ disciples to do? (The disciples spoke in different languages.)
2. What were the signs that the Holy Spirit had come? (There was a sound like a mighty wind, and fiery tongues rested on each of Jesus’ followers.)
3. The Holy Spirit gave Peter the ability to be brave. This gave him the power to preach to the crowd. What are some specific ways that the Holy Spirit can give you power? (Answers will
   vary but might include giving power to follow Jesus, strength to do what is right even when it is difficult, and ability to understand the Bible.)

Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Amen.