In this lesson, children learn that the Holy Spirit came to the believers in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and that God wants to be with his people every day. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God kept his promise and sent his Holy Spirit to be with his people. The Spirit helps us tell others about Jesus, and God is with us wherever we are.
Memory Verse
Acts 2:21
It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and lift the other hand up toward the sky. Say the words slowly with your class, then stretch both arms wide like a big hug, showing that anyone who calls on the Lord can be saved.
The Story: Acts 2 for Kids
Jesus had gone back up to heaven, and his friends were waiting together in a room in Jerusalem. It was the day of a big Jewish festival called Pentecost, and people from many countries had come to the city. The friends were all in one place, praying and waiting for the promise Jesus had made.
Then something amazing happened. A sound like a strong, rushing wind filled the whole house. Small flames that looked like fire rested on each person’s head, and suddenly everyone began speaking in other languages. The Holy Spirit had come to them, just as Jesus said he would.
A crowd gathered outside, and people were confused. Each person heard the friends speaking in their own language about the great things God had done. Some people laughed and said the friends were drunk, but that was not true, since it was only nine o’clock in the morning.
Peter stood up with the other apostles and spoke loudly so everyone could hear. He told the crowd that God had sent Jesus, and that the people had made him die on a cross. But God raised Jesus from death, and Jesus is alive. Peter told them, “Turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus,” and the Holy Spirit would be given to them as a gift.
That day about three thousand people believed and were baptized. They spent time learning from the apostles, sharing meals together, and praying. They shared what they had so that no one in the group went without.
Read It Together
Acts 2:1-4
1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
(WEB)
Point out that the friends of Jesus were all together, and that the Holy Spirit came just as promised. Ask the children how it might feel to be in that room when something so surprising happened.
Acts 2:38-39
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
(WEB)
Show that Peter invited everyone to turn to Jesus, and that the promise was for all people, including children. Help the children see that they are part of this promise too.
Acts 2:42-47
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
(WEB)
Explain that the early believers loved to learn, eat, and pray together, and they cared for each other’s needs. Ask the children how they can show that same kind of care in their own family or class.
Talk About It
- What did the friends of Jesus do while they waited for the Holy Spirit to come?
- Why do you think the people in the crowd heard the friends speaking in their own languages?
- What did Peter tell the people they should do?
- How did the believers take care of each other after they became friends of Jesus?
- How can the Holy Spirit help you tell someone about Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Flame Crowns Craft
You will need paper, scissors, crayons or markers, tape, and a pencil. Cut a strip of paper long enough to wrap around each child’s head and tape it into a circle. Have the children draw orange, red, and yellow flames along the top edge, then wear their crowns while they retell the story of Pentecost.
Wind and Flame Relay
You will need a fan or a sheet of paper for each team, and a small paper cup. Divide the children into teams and have them pass the cup down a line by blowing it along the floor with the fan or paper. Talk about how the rushing wind on Pentecost got everyone’s attention, and remind them that God can get everyone’s attention too.
Take-Home Prayer Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper, and a marker. Write “Pray for others” on the jar and give each child a few small slips of paper to fill with names of people they want to tell about Jesus. Encourage them to pray over the slips at home each evening, the way the early believers prayed together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Acts 2 shows that the Holy Spirit is God’s own presence given to all believers, not only to leaders. The church began as ordinary people were filled with courage to speak about Jesus, and the early community shared their lives in a visible way. It also shows that God’s promises reach across cultures and languages, drawing people from many nations together.
Avoid suggesting to children that the speaking in tongues or the wind and fire are things they must expect to see in their own lives. Keep the focus on the Spirit being given, on Jesus being alive, and on the friendship and generosity of the believers.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for keeping your promise and sending your Holy Spirit to be with us. Help us to tell others about Jesus, to care for our friends, and to share what we have. Be with us this week and every day. Amen.
