Bible Study –Sixth Sunday of Easter – “Sending of the Holy Spirit”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
"Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." An astounding discovery! The Easter news was spread to all who would listen. The disciples told people, who in turn, told people, and to this day, we hear the message — a message of weeping and then of joy that comes with the morning of a new day. We too like the disciples weep AND then delight in the joy bursting forth in us. We, too, are called to bring this message with our lives, and, if necessary, with words, to those who have not yet heard it.
Letting go of the companionship of Jesus to receive him in a larger way. Letting go of certainties to be open to the promised Holy Spirit. Letting go of our need to be in control to trust the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Theme: Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Have you ever heard the saying, "Seeing is Believing." I wonder if you can think of things we cannot see that we believe. (Some examples: Stars too far away to see, the wind, electricity, microwaves cooking our food, phone conversations, the Internet, etc.) Today's scripture passage tells us about another thing we cannot see but that is right here with us. Listen carefully to the scripture for today and keep in mind images or words that come to them.
Opening Prayer: God, thank you for the love you have given us. Send us the help we need to do the work you give us to do each and every day. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to John 14:23-29 and read or read the scriptures below.
John 14:23-29
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
Questions: (Answers at the bottom of the page)
- Jesus tells us he is sending us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Do you know what an "advocate is?"
- If we cannot see the Holy Spirit, what are some clues that the Holy Spirit is here with us?
- What does Jesus say to comfort the disciples and, therefore, to comfort us? (verse 27)
- If you were going to describe the Holy Spirit to someone who didn’t know what the Holy Spirit is, what words would you use? How might you describe the Holy Spirit?
Bible Memory Verse: John 14:26 - 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Click here for the young learner’s lesson.
Videos (Click on url)
Make a Sad Face John 14: 23-29 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuKsZ-_8so4
Daily Gospel Reading Video – St John 14:23-29 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI5bAP2ArC4
Gospel of John Summary: A Complete Animated Overview Part 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfh_wOsauk
Song: Peace Like A River – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMVkGJYuLOw or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY4NKSy4D3I
Activities:
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be our Advocate, walking with us and guiding us in all we do. The Spirit’s guidance is not always dramatic or obvious. Sometimes, it comes as a quiet thought, a feeling of peace or a sense of direction when we feel lost. The key is to be open and pay attention. The spirit speaks to us in ways that are personal and unique, just as each of us is unique. The more we listen, the more we will recognize the Spirit’s presence in our lives.
Word – Holy Spirit - name the ways the Holy Spirit has been represented in passages we have read previously. (The Dove that descended on Jesus at his baptism, for instance.) What would you like to create as an icon for the Holy Spirit to add to our collection of icons? Create an icon for one definition of "Holy Spirit. Using your art supplies, develop your icons for Holy Spirit. You can create a bookmark icon also if you would like.
Design an icon for your word. (Click on website for examples of icons https://in.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=holy%20spirit%20icon&rs=ac&len=16&source_id=ac_1fsO9wN0&eq=Holy%20Spirit%20icon&etslf=13091)
Prayer Wheel – You will need a long this dowel or stick and a paper plate or circle made from card stock or poster board. Cut into the circle/plate about 3 inches deep and about 2-3 inches apart. Put a word or words on each cut slit for a prayer to thank Jesus for various things, such as for Jesus to talk to, or the Holy Spirit to comfort or guide, for the Bible to read until Jesus returns and for our home in heaven, etc. Tape the stick to the prayer wheel with peavey postage tape or duct tape.
Peace of Mind and Heart - Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/peace-of-mind-and-heart
He’ll Be Back - Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/hell-be-back-2
Peace of Mind and Heart - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/peace-of-mind-and-heart-1
He’ll Be Back - Missing Letters: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/hell-be-back-3
Notice the Holy Spirit at work in your life during the week. For example: A person who has been a pest becoming easier to be around. Finding yourself praying at a time you don't usually pray, etc.)
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit. May we recognize it in our lives as we walk with you each day. Amen.
Answers to the Questions:
- Jesus tells us he is sending us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Do you know what an "advocate is?" (Someone who helps, who stands in for. Lawyer's are called advocates.)
- If we cannot see the Holy Spirit, what are some clues that the Holy Spirit is here with us? (We can do things that we would have thought were too hard to do, we remember to pray for people, we are able to love difficult people, etc.)
- What does Jesus say to comfort the disciples and, therefore, to comfort us? (verse 27) 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- If you were going to describe the Holy Spirit to someone who didn’t know what the Holy Spirit is, what words would you use? How might you describe the Holy Spirit?
