Welcoming the Holy Spirit

The 50th day after Easter Sunday is called Pentecost. The name from the Greek word ‘pentekoste’ means fiftieth. This year, Pentecost is May 28.

Pentecost celebrates the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus (See Acts 2:1-31) and the beginning of the church. The birth of the church happened in the middle of a Jewish festival that remembered God’s gift of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai and honored the harvest season. Pentecost also displays the Trinity: the Father sends the Spirit to make the Son present.

This is a great opportunity to teach kids about the Holy Spirit. In fact, we are studying Pentecost this month in the spiritual formation classes. You can find some supportive materials in the Parents’ Folder (the link is sent separately via weekly emails). Learning about Pentecost is a good time to help children understand how the Holy Spirit came to dwell with us; how He dwells in them.

Pentecost also shows that Jesus kept His promise to send us the Holy Spirit when He said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth   (John 14:15-17).

The Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Advocate. He fills us and helps us to understand God’s love, helps us to hear God, to feel God’s presence, and to know Him better. We can learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, who can help change us from the inside out.

Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.

Corrie Ten Boom

The Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us and convicts of sin. He is a source of revelation, wisdom, and power. The Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers, intercedes on our behalf, and works in the life of believers to renew, sanctify, and make us holy.

Without Pentecost the Christ-event – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – remains imprisoned in history as something to remember, think about and reflect on. The Spirit of Jesus comes to dwell within us, so that we can become living Christs here and now.

Henri Nouwen

Welcome the Holy Spirit

‘Perhaps you don’t give the Holy Spirit much thought throughout the day. Even so, He’s there and is ready, willing and able to guide you. However, He doesn’t force or control; we choose to follow His leading. If we want this transformative power, we must choose to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guiding.

Jesus Culture’s song, Holy Spirit, is a great prayer prompt:

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your Glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware of Your Presence
Let us experience the Glory of Your Goodness

Here are some books about the Holy Spirit for kids and adults:

• The Holy Spirit (Big Theology for Little Hearts), Devon Provencher
• Real Power for Kids: Knowing the Holy Spirit as Your Friend, Rod Baker
• Three-in-One Teen Devotional: The Unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Lifeway Students
• The Spirit-filled Life: Discover the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit, Charles Stanley

In Christ,

Peggy Kelly

Family Ministry
cccbillerica.org