God’s Holy Spirit Changes us and Makes Us Better

 

Prayer. “Dear Father, please use this study to help the children know you better. Use it so that they will let your Holy Spirit change and guide them.”

Select activities that fit the children’s needs and local customs.

 

Prepare this lesson by reading the story of Stephen’s martyrdom from Acts 6:8–15 and 7:51–60. Find how God’s Spirit made Stephen a brave witness for Christ, what Stephen said; and the Jewish leaders’ reaction to it.

 

 

Prepare an older child to tell the story. Then ask the children:

·         What kind of man was Stephen?

·         Why did some leaders secretly persuade people to tell lies about Stephen?

·         What did Stephen’s face look like before He died?

·         Whom did Stephen see before he died?

·         Why were some people so angry with Stephen?

·         What were Stephen’s last words?

The pain of false accusations.

·         Ask the children to think of a time when somebody told lies about them, saying they did something that they did not do.

·         Ask how they felt when falsely accused, and what they did.

Dramatise the story of Stephen’s martyrdom. Rehearse the story and present it to the adults during worship. Prepare older children to play the parts of Saul, Stephen.  Prepare younger children to act as Accuser.

Saul: “I am the Apostle Paul. Let me tell you something I saw before I knew Christ, when I was called ‘Saul’.” (Read Acts 6:8 through the first part of verse11)

Stephen: (Stand to one side)

Accuser #1: (Shouts angrily, pointing at Stephen) “We heard Stephen blaspheme against Moses and against God!”

Saul: (Read Acts 6:12 through the first part of verse 13)

Accuser #2: (Shout angrily the complaint quoted in Acts 6:13–14)

Saul: (Read Acts 6:15 and 7:1)

Stephen: (Read Stephen’s words in Acts 7:2–3)

Saul: “Stephen summarised briefly the history of Israel.”

Stephen: (Read Acts 7:51–52)

Saul: (Read Acts 7:54–55)

Stephen: (Point up and shout Stephen’s words in  Acts 7:56)

Accusers: (Run and drag Stephen to the other side of the room)

Saul: (Read Acts 7:57–58. Explain that “Saul” was you. )

Accusers: Pretend to throw stones at Stephen.

Stephen: Read Stephen’s words in Acts 7:59–60.

Let the children ask the adults questions they have prepared about what the Holy Spirit enabled Stephen to do. They might use the questions in part 1.

Poem. Coach three children to recite the three parts of Isaiah 61:1-2. They might also recite it for the adults.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,

To proclaim freedom for the captives

And release from darkness for the prisoners.

To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour

And the day of vengeance of our God.

Illustrate the Holy Spirit’s work.

·         Let the children draw a broken chain to illustrate what the Holy Spirit does.

·         Let the children show their pictures to the adults and explain that the Holy Spirit fills us with God’s power and frees us from the chains of sin and evil, and the fear of death.

 

Memorise John 20:22. Let the older children memorise Ephesians 1:13, 14.

Explain the fruit of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5:19-25.

Explain the examples below of the bad works of the flesh (sinful acts), and the opposite virtues that the Holy Spirit produced in the same persons later.

 

Works of the Flesh and Fruit of the Spirit

Works of the flesh: Evil things people want to do because of sin. Gal. 5:19-21

Fruit of the Spirit. Good things the Holy Spirit helps us to do, Gal. 5:22-23

Sexual immorality. David wanted another man’s wife

Love. David repented, loved God sincerely. 2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51

Impurity, debauchery. The wasteful son lived badly.

Joy. He found joy when he repented and returned, Luke 15:11-32

Idolatry, witchcraft. Ezra’s people sought peace from stupid idols.

Peace. Ezra helped his Jews find peace in God. Ezra 9

Hatred. Saul hated believers and persecuted them.

Patience. Saul learned to endure mistreatment. Acts 9.

Discord, jealousy. Judah sold his brother Joseph in envy as a slave.

Kindness. Judah later showed great kindness. Gen. 37 & 44

Fits of rage. John wanted fire to destroy his enemies.

Goodness. John later showed much goodness. John 9:54

Selfish ambition. Jacob tricked Esau to get his inheritance.

Faith. Jacob learned to trust God to help him. Gen. 25:29-34 & chapters 27 & 47

Dissensions, factions, envy. Believers at Antioch were divided.

Gentleness. Believers at Antioch found unity. Acts 15

Drunkenness, orgies. Corinthians had these vices

Self-control. Corinthians were washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:9-11


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