The Power of Pentecost

As we approach Pentecost, we are encouraged to reflect back to times when we have been obedient to the Holy Spirit's intervention. Throughout the day, we are gently nudged by the Holy Spirit to recognize important truths, as we are vessels to be used in ways that are pleasing to God. We are the clay, and God is the potter.

You may vividly remember specific times when the Holy Spirit used you in profound ways to positively affect another person's life, At other times, you can look back and see that you were placed in a life transforming place where you could sense the Holy Spirit attempting to open your ears and eyes to truths that were, in fact, difficult to handle. Perhaps, you are in such place right this minute.

Take some time to read Acts 2 http://www.biblegateway.com and then click back to this blog entry. Now, take a moment to visualize this scene. Picture yourself there in the crowd of people. Suddenly, you find yourself and many others in the crowd being transfixed by the Holy Spirit.

"2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. " From http://www.biblegateway.com

I get goosebumps just reading it. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit like these people did? I can recall four times in my life where I profoundly experienced the Holy Spirit in a church setting, two of which I will share in this entry.

One occurred close to the advent. I was teaching a Sunday School class at the time, and I ushered the children into the church to sing a song. The Holy Spirit's presence was clearly felt the moment I entered the sanctuary; the feeling of Christian love and fellowship totally enveloped the atmosphere.

The second occurred during a special day of prayer event that I attended. Christians from various churches in the Southern California area spent many hours praying for Christians throughout the world. Powerful testimonies were sprinkled throughout the periods of prayers. I remember participating in a small group, conversing with members from other churches that I had never met. However, none of us felt the least bit self-conscious. We openly shared our thoughts and prayers. Many of us commented on the "feeling of love" in that sanctuary, and we all agreed that the Holy Spirit's presence was there with us.

The Day of Pentecost reminds us that we are to continue to place ourselves in an environment where the Holy Spirit can touch and use us. That's what Peter did.

Peter's spiritual odyssey prepared him for this pivotal moment in history. For an overview of Peter's hardships and life lessons see,
http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/13bchara/13bible13.htm Finally, in Acts 2:14-41, we see a mature, confident speaker who was the ultimate conduit for God to use.

If you look around, you will see others who are following in Peter's footsteps. My cousin will be leaving in less than a week to travel to the outskirts of a rural part of an underdeveloped country. As a nurse, she travels regularly to Brazil, China and elsewhere to allow God to use her. As part of a medical team, she helps to provide people who are desperate for medical attention with the medical aid they require as well as the spiritual foundation they need to form a relationship with God. She is a shining example of the courage and determination that Peter showed on the Day of Pentecost. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit can use her and others on her team to help people discover God's love for them.

We, and the children in our lives, can follow Peter's example, by using the gifts that we have been endowed with to share the good news with others. Pentecost based lessons help children to see the connection between the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and their role as conduits. As educators, we search for the best ways to help children understand the concept of the Holy Spirit and the significance of having the Spirit help to shape the meaning and direction of their lives.

For many children, the Holy Spirit may seem to be an abstract concept. Even adults have difficulty explaining the triune. Therefore, a hands on approach is probably one of the best tools to help children conceptualize and apply the Holy Spirit to their lives.

At http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6536088121/m/6636088121 you will find a blog brimming with many creative hands on lesson planning ideas. For example, Nora Joy discusses how to present a music workshop "we talked about what those colors could represent - people, doves, fire, wind." to introduce the concept of the Holy Spirit. Told the story, beginning with background info on Pentecost through the beginning of the church using Stravinski's Firebird Suite as background. See June 10, 2002 by Nora Joy for complete details.

Mazurh provides a detailed lesson plans for K-1, Grades 2 - 3, and Grades 4 - 6 She includes a list of items needed, warm up, lesson objectives and procedures. See July 12, 2004 posting by Mazurh.

The May 22, 2002 posting by Brenda V is also very imaginative and will help children both understand the force of the Holy Spirit as well as its lasting power. I would only add that it may be better to have a teacher light the candles.

Spend time at this blog, and use the lesson planning ideas that are best suited for your learning environment. I was really inspired with the diversity of ideas and details of how to implement the lesson plans.

May you and the children in your life be especially blessed this Pentecost Sunday. May you be reawakened to the power of the Holy Spirit and be used as a vessel to reach God's people.