Scripture: Acts 2:1-47
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn the Church began on Pentecost, the holiday that had become a time to celebrate when God gave Moses the Old Law.
- Students will learn the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles the ability to speak in languages they had not studied, so everyone could understand the important message they had to share.
- Students will learn God wants us to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
- Students will participate in a service project to help raise money for Bible translations.
Guiding Question: How can we help people read the Bible in their language?
Materials: None
Procedure: Review the story of Pentecost. Explain that the story is about how the Apostles received the Holy Spirit so that they could go and spread God and his message of salvation. The Apostles now also had the ability to speak in different languages in order to share the message with those that spoke different languages. Tell the students that in order to receive the Holy Spirit, we must be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins. Then we receive the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit gives us guidance and direction in our lives.
Introduce the service project. Explain that there are people who work to translate the Bible into languages in which there currently is no Bible. (Example: Wycliffe Last languages campaign). Have students share why they think people do that and how that would affect more people knowing about God. Contact a business who works to translate the Bible or places that do not have the Bible to learn how they do it and plan to raise money to help them.
Additional Questions: How can students help their church spread Jesus in other places.
Supplemental Activity: Have students work with your local missions team to raise money for Bibles or other needs they may have for their next mission trip.