You don't have to do all of these at one time. Consider how you might do parts of it throughout the week.
ENGAGE
For younger children:
- Have them crouch down. Say, “Ready, set, Jack-in-the-box!” and everyone springs up. Vary the length of time between the “ready” and the “set” so that the children are hanging on your words, ready to spring into action, but not sure when you’re going to command them.
For older children:
- Talk about everyone's chores (adult chores as well as kid chores) and how each person feels about them. Which ones do you like, which ones don't you. How do you go about motivating yourselves to do them?
For everyone:
- After Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus’ friends had to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit to give them the courage to follow Jesus’ teachings out in the world. That's the story of Pentecost.
EXPLORE
Look at these videos about Pentecost:
One member of the family can read this out loud:
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 2, verses 1-7)
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 2, verses 1-7)
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
EXPERIENCE
For younger children:
Enact the story with family members taking different parts such as an apostle,the noise like a driving wind, and crowd members being amazed. Have the youngest one retell the story in their own words.
Enact the story with family members taking different parts such as an apostle,the noise like a driving wind, and crowd members being amazed. Have the youngest one retell the story in their own words.
For older children:
These are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
These are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
- Wisdom
- Understanding
- Counsel (Right Judgment)
- Fortitude (Courage)
- Knowledge
- Piety (Reverence)
- Fear of the Lord (Wonder & Awe in God's Presence)
Discuss which of these gifts you see in each other and when.
APPLY
Talk about how you can help each other this week to amaze and astound each other with how wise and courageous you can be.
When you see each other this week acting like followers of Jesus, call it out.
Pray together:
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill our lives with joy and hope.
Live in me
so I can show others
how much I love them,
and how much you love them.
AMEN.
When you see each other this week acting like followers of Jesus, call it out.
Pray together:
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill our lives with joy and hope.
Live in me
so I can show others
how much I love them,
and how much you love them.
AMEN.