Pentecost: How to Talk to Kids About the Holy Spirit
Most people only know Pentecost as a Christian holiday, where we commemorate the day when the Holy Spirit fell on the Apostles of Christ as they gathered together in the upper room, after the Ascension of Jesus. Scripture (Acts 2) actually tells us that Jews from many different nations were in Jerusalem that day. They were there celebrating the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.
It’s true; Pentecost is originally a Jewish holiday. It’s one of the three great feasts, along with Passover and Tabernacles, on the Jewish calendar. It has a historical significance, as it commemorates God giving the Torah to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It also commemorates the time when the first fruits of the wheat harvest were brought to the Temple in the form of leavened bread (Leviticus 23:17).
So we may ask ourselves why did Jesus choose to pour out His Spirit on His Church during this very Jewish holiday?
The idea that people had gathered together to celebrate a harvest ties in perfectly with the fact that a great “harvest” for the Lord was experienced! The New Covenant was put into effect with full force. This day truly was the beginning of the Church . . . our “birthday”, if you will. That very day 3000 people came to Christ and were baptized after hearing Peter’s teaching! (Acts 2:37-39) Pentecost really was the FIRST great revival!
Do you remember learning about the Holy Spirit as a kid? The Trinity can be a tricky thing to grasp, much less teach to kids. When talking to your kids about Pentecost and the significance it has in our lives, remind them that as Jesus was preparing to go to Heaven, He made a promise. He told His Disciples that even though He would be leaving them and wouldn’t be here on Earth as a man, He would NOT be leaving them all alone. He promised to send a Helper: The Holy Spirit.
If a child doesn’t exactly understand what the Holy Spirit is, tell them we feel the Holy Spirit inside and He helps us know and understand God’s love. Our Helper helps us feel God’s actual presence in our lives. In fact, here we are, over 2000 years later, still feeling God’s love and presence exactly like they did on that day of Pentecost!
God loves us so much that He sent us His Son Jesus and then His Spirit to teach us about that perfect love!
More Resources for Teaching Kids About Pentecost and the Holy Spirit
From the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids:
Tricky Bits
Who is our Helper?
Remember the Trinity? God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. When we give our lives to Jesus, He gives us His Spirit to help us. As we grow, we learn to listen to the Spirit. He guides us and changes us from the inside out.
For more teaching on the Holy Spirit, check out the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids or join us for Minno Church at Home this month as we look at the fruit of the Spirit.
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Related Posts: Church History for Kids: Where Was the First Church?
Watch these shows about the Holy Spirit on Minno:
What’s in the Bible?: A Helper Arrives!
Jesus Storybook Bible: God Sends Help
Friends and Heroes: No Turning Back
Read and Share Bible: The Holy Spirit Comes
Whirl – Leo and Friends: Spirit Spirit and Holy Android
Whirl – Ada and Friends: Simple Spirit
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