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Children's Activity
Object:
Today is a big day for the church. This is the day when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often harder for children to imagine than Jesus is. It's much easier to imagine Jesus because he was a real person. The Holy Spirit isn't a person -- it is something altogether different. Throughout history, the Christian church has used symbols to help people to understand the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit has so many different names in the Bible, these symbols help us remember what the Spirit does. We've learned to equate the Spirit with these symbols and ponder the many functions it has in our lives.
For an activity at home, see if you can find pictures of some of the symbols of the Holy Spirit. I have listed some of them below, as well as some reasons why each symbol is used in the church. Talk with your children about the differences in each of the Spirit's names and why each particular symbol might have been chosen. Can you see similarities among the names? Are there differences? Have some fun with this discussion. Some scripture references are provided if you would like to see what the Bible says.
Wind -- (Genesis 1:1-2) the Spirit of God hovered over the waters at the beginning of creation; (Acts 2:2) a violent wind fills the house on the Day of Pentecost
Breath -- (Genesis 2:7) the breath of God fills Adam; (Ezekiel 37:8-10) the breath of God fills the dry bones
Fire -- (Exodus 13:21) a pillar of fire led the Hebrews out of Egypt; (Acts 2:3) tongues of fire appear to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost
Dove -- (Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-22, Mark 1:10-11) the Spirit of God descends upon Jesus like a dove
For an activity at home, see if you can find pictures of some of the symbols of the Holy Spirit. I have listed some of them below, as well as some reasons why each symbol is used in the church. Talk with your children about the differences in each of the Spirit's names and why each particular symbol might have been chosen. Can you see similarities among the names? Are there differences? Have some fun with this discussion. Some scripture references are provided if you would like to see what the Bible says.
Wind -- (Genesis 1:1-2) the Spirit of God hovered over the waters at the beginning of creation; (Acts 2:2) a violent wind fills the house on the Day of Pentecost
Breath -- (Genesis 2:7) the breath of God fills Adam; (Ezekiel 37:8-10) the breath of God fills the dry bones
Fire -- (Exodus 13:21) a pillar of fire led the Hebrews out of Egypt; (Acts 2:3) tongues of fire appear to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost
Dove -- (Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-22, Mark 1:10-11) the Spirit of God descends upon Jesus like a dove
