This lesson teaches children that the Holy Spirit came on the believers at Pentecost, so they could tell everyone about Jesus. It is a good fit for children aged 5 to 11, and the full lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sent his Holy Spirit to help his friends tell everyone about Jesus, and God helps us share his good news too.
Memory Verse
Acts 2:4
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)
Have children cup their hands around their mouths, then open them wide like a bird’s beak as they say the verse together. Then have them lift both arms up high, as if reaching for the wind.
The Story: Acts 2 for Kids
On the day of Pentecost, Jesus’s friends were all together in one room. Suddenly a loud sound came from the sky, like a strong wind rushing through the house. Everyone in the room could hear it, and it filled the whole place.
Then something like little tongues of fire appeared and rested on each person’s head. Jesus’s friends were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages. God gave them the words to say, and they could speak in ways they had never learned before.
Many people from many countries had come to Jerusalem for the feast. They heard their own languages being spoken, and they were amazed. Some of them were confused and asked, “What does this mean?” Others laughed and said the friends must have been drinking too much wine.
Peter stood up with the other apostles and spoke to the crowd. He told them that it was only nine in the morning, so the friends were not drunk. He explained that God had promised long ago, through the prophet Joel, that his Spirit would be poured out on all people.
Peter told the people about Jesus, who had died and was raised from the dead. When the people heard this, they felt sorry for their choices and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter told them to turn back to God and be baptized, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. About three thousand people believed and were baptized that day.
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 believers were all together and that the Holy Spirit came to them while they were waiting. Ask children what it might feel like to be in that room when the wind and fire came.
Acts 2:37-38
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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.
(WEB)
Show how the crowd asked a question and Peter gave a clear answer. Explain that turning back to God and being baptized are ways people respond when they hear about Jesus.
Acts 2:42
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
(WEB)
Point out the four things the believers did together: learning, sharing, eating, and praying. Ask children which of these they enjoy doing with their own family or church.
Talk About It
- What did the friends of Jesus hear and see when the Holy Spirit came?
- Why do you think God gave the friends the ability to speak in many languages?
- How do you think the people felt when they heard their own languages spoken?
- What did Peter tell the crowd that Jesus had done for them?
- How can you tell other people about Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Flame Crown Craft
You will need construction paper, scissors, glue, a stapler, and crayons or markers. Cut a strip of paper to fit around each child’s head and staple it into a band. Let the children draw and color flames of red, orange, and yellow, then glue them onto the band and wear them while retelling the story.
Wind and Fire Game
You will need an open space and a small bell or a clap. Have the children stand in a circle and gently blow on their hands like a breeze. When you ring the bell, they spin slowly in place like flames, then freeze. Each time the bell rings, call out one thing the Holy Spirit helps us do, such as tell others about Jesus.
Take-Home Story Cards
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small envelope for each child. Write one sentence from the lesson on each card, such as “God sent his Spirit to his friends.” Give the cards to the children to read aloud with their family at dinner or bedtime, and keep the envelope to store them.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that the Holy Spirit empowered the early church to proclaim the gospel to people from many nations, and that the message of Jesus crossed every language barrier. It also shows that the first believers gathered regularly to learn, share, eat, and pray together. The growth of the church in this chapter is presented as the work of God.
Avoid suggesting to children that speaking in tongues is a sign that everyone must have or that the ability to speak languages is the main point of the story. Keep the focus on the Holy Spirit helping people share the good news about Jesus.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to help us. Help us to tell others about Jesus with our words and actions. Thank you that you are with us every day. Amen.
