Strong in Spirit

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.  2 Timothy 1:7 (CEV)

Props: bowling ball, “nerf” style ball, small lightweight ball, six or ten 2 liter soda bottles (You may need to fill the bottles with a little water to achieve the effect).

• God has given each of you a job to do: you are to worship and serve Him.  All of us are called to boldly worship God and boldly tell others about His love, speaking the truth into their lives.
• (Show 2 liter bottles, arranged in a triangle as bowling pins would be). When you go bowling, what is your goal?  (Allow for response).  Your goal is to knock down the pins.  These soda bottles represent the job that God has given you.  You are to tell others about his love and be bold in Him. 
• (Show “nerf” style ball). Could you imagine if you used a ball like this to go bowling?  It wouldn’t do anything!  (Try to knock down the pins with the soft ball).  This ball reminds me of the people who are “soft” in their faith when they are around others.  They say they love God, and maybe they really do, but they’re not going to talk about it.  They don’t want to offend anyone or bother anyone by talking about Jesus.  They don’t get anything done like that.  No one’s life is changed.
• (Show small, lightweight ball).  When bowling, you could use a ball like this.  Do you think it would work?  No!   (Try to knock down the pins with the small ball).  There’s no power to this thing.  There’s no weight behind it.  This is like people who try to get the job done on their own.  They try to do good things for God without being filled with His power.  But on our own, we have no power.  So it doesn’t work very well. 
• (Show bowling ball).  Now who thinks this ball will work?  Yeah!  This ball has power.  It’s perfect for the job.  When you are filled with the power of God’s Spirit, He will make you bold.  You will be able to tell others about His love and salvation and speak the truth about sin.  You won’t be afraid of what people will say about you or do to you.  (Use the bowling ball to knock down the pins).      
• The power of God’s Spirit will make you bold.

Soaked in the Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…Acts 1:8 (NIV)

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39 (NIV)

Props: kiddie pool (filled with water) and small bucket of water,

2 volunteers (1 to get sprinkled with water, the other to get soaked)

• Throughout the Bible, we read about the Holy Spirit and His work. 
• Before Jesus, the Holy Spirit would “come upon” people and give them power to do special and great things for God. (Sprinkle first volunteer with water).
• Jesus told His followers that they would be filled with the Spirit.  In other words, they would not just receive His power on special occasions.  His power would be inside of them. 
• Another way Jesus explained it was that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit.  (“Baptize,” or soak second volunteer in the kiddie pool). 
• This is how God wants you to be filled, or baptized with the Holy Spirit—drenched in the Spirit, completely soaked in His power.
• Then you will “splash” onto others.  They will see and feel God’s power coming through you.  It will last and you will be changed forever!
• Be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit!

The Flame

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 Props: large candle with tight lid, lighter

 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6

             (Light candle).  As 2 Timothy 1:6 says, the Bible compares the gifts God gives us to a flame.  God has given each of us special gifts.  Those gifts may start out small, like this flame is small right now.  Maybe you love music but don’t know how to play an instrument yet.  Your love of music may be a gift that God wants you to use for Him.  It might be that you enjoy writing or painting or just talking to and encouraging other people.  Those can all be gifts that God wants to use to help others.  And, like our memory verse says, you have to fan those gifts into flame.  You have to work at developing the gifts that God has given you.

            This flame cannot live unless it is fed.  Right now, it is being fed oxygen.  Without the oxygen, it will die.  (Place lid on candle).  It didn’t take long at all for the flame to go out completely.  Unless you feed your spiritual gifts, they will die out too.  If you don’t spend time with God in prayer and don’t read your Bible, if you don’t spend time learning more about, practicing and growing in your gifts, your gifts will die. 

(Relight candle).  Now let’s see what happens when I “fan into flame” this fire.  (Lightly blow on candle until the flame grows).  Feeding it oxygen makes it grow.  In fact, if I kept feeding this flame, it would grow into a huge fire and could even burn forever.  You could make your gifts that strong, too.  There are a number of things you can do to feed your spiritual gifts and make them grow.  Your spiritual gifts must be fed by the presence of God and by His Word, the Bible.  When you spend time with God in prayer and in studying the Bible, your gifts will grow stronger.  Your gifts will also grow stronger when you learn from others.  Do you have the gift of teaching?  Learn from good teachers.  Do you enjoy praying with others?  Spend time praying with people who know how to go to God in prayer.  How about acting, serving, singing, dancing, helping others or playing a musical instrument?  Learn from people who are good at those things.  Also, don’t wait until you’re perfect to start using your gifts.  Use them now.

If you spend time with God, learn from others and continue using your gifts, they’ll keep getting stronger and greater.

The Holy Spirit Will Empower You to Pray

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Romans 8:26, 27 (NIV)

 Props:  bowling ball and pins  

            When we go bowling our goal is to knock all of the pins down.  What are some things that help us do that? (Throwing the ball with strength, holding your wrist straight, lining up with the arrows, using “Buddy Bumpers” when necessary)  We must do our part and the other instruments (arrows, bumpers) will do their part. 

            When we pray, our main goal is to reach God.  But sometimes, no matter how hard we’re trying, our prayers end up in the “gutter.”  In other words, sometimes our prayers don’t reach God because we don’t pray the things that God wants us to.  We can get “off track” in our prayers without even realizing it, by praying selfish prayers or asking for things that aren’t for our best or the best of others.  The job of the Holy Spirit is to keep us “on track” so that our prayers will reach God.  The Spirit will always pray the things that God wants.  So we need to “line up” our prayers with God’s Word, just like I line up my ball with the arrows when I go bowling.  But we also need to allow the Holy Spirit to pray for us and through us.  He will act like the “Buddy Bumpers” for our prayers.  He will make sure that our prayers line up with God’s will and that they will reach God. 

            We can be our best with God’s Holy Spirit.  He will make our prayer life powerful.

The Holy Spirit Will Empower You to Speak

“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 13:9-11 (NIV)

 Props: Poster board with Mark 13:10, 11 written on it

 Good morning, boys and girls.  As we continue our teaching on the Holy Spirit, there are a few scriptures I would like to share with you.  Mark 13:10, 11 says…um…Mark 13:10, 11 says…well, I can’t remember.  Oh, this is terrible.  I studied it and everything.  Now I can’t even think of the first word.  And I’m supposed to be the teacher!  Now what am I going to do?  I can’t very well continue my lesson if I can’t remember the verse.  (A helper calls your attention to the back of the room where he is holding the poster board).  Whew!  That was just in time.  Thankfully, there was help just when I needed it.  (Read from poster board).  Mark 13:10, 11 says, “The good news has to be preached to all nations before the end comes. You will be arrested and brought to trial. But don’t worry ahead of time about what you will say. Just say what God brings to your mind at the time. It is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”  In other words, Jesus is telling His disciples that they will have to stand up to judges and kings and tell them the truth about Him.  But they’re not supposed to worry about it ahead of time, because the Holy Spirit will speak through them.  He will give them the words to say. 

There will be times when you feel like you are supposed to talk to someone about God, or say something to someone in need.  There may also be times when someone asks you about why you believe in God or about what the Bible says.  Maybe you feel shy about talking to people like that, because you’re not sure what you’re going to say.  It could be that you don’t even want to start a conversation about God because you think you’ll forget everything and sound silly.  But Jesus said don’t worry ahead of time about what you were going to say.  When you are filled with God’s Spirit, He’ll give you the words.  He will be like my helper today, who held up the words for me just in time.  (The Holy Spirit won’t stand in front of you with a poster board, but He will speak the words to your heart if you’re listening for His voice). 

            We can be our best with God’s Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will speak through you and give you the words to say when you need it most.  Follow after God and His Holy Spirit and let Him work through you in amazing ways.

The Spirit Draws You Close to God

Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born through water and the Holy Spirit. People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” John 3:5, 6 (NIrV)

 If you live under the control of your sinful nature, you will die. But by the power of the Holy Spirit you can put to death the sins your body commits. Then you will live. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  You didn’t receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you God’s child. By the Spirit’s power we call God “Abba.” Abba means Father.  Romans 8:13-15 (NIrV)

 The Law that sentences people to death is glorious. How much more glorious is the work of the Spirit! His work makes people right with God. 2 Corinthians 3:9 (NIrV)

 Props: 2 large magnets

 When we are born, our nature is sinful.  In other words, sin comes natural to us and we automatically want to do things that are bad.  That sin separates us from God.  We cannot get close to God unless he forgives us for our sins.  (Demonstrate how the like poles of the magnets repel each other).  Do you see how it is impossible for these magnets to connect?  I can try and force them together, but it’s not going to happen.  The same is true for you.  When you have sin in your life, it is impossible to get close to God. 

However, God’s Word tells us to repent, to turn away from our sin and to turn to God.  When you do that, God forgives you for your sins and you can be close to Him.  (Turn one magnet around and demonstrate how the magnets are drawn together now).  When you come to know God, He gives you His Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gives you power to live a holy life, without sinning.  That doesn’t mean that you will never make a mistake.  But through the Spirit’s power, you can stop doing the bad things you used to do He can give you the power to control your temper, obey your parents, etc.  (Give examples.)  He will give you the power to stay close to God. 

            Let the Spirit’s power keep you from sin.  Turn away from your sin and stick close to God with the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is Our Teacher

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  John 14:25, 26 (NIV)

 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. 

John 16:13 (NIV)

 Props: Book written in another language

 (Call forward a volunteer who would like to read a story aloud.  Hand her the book and proceed as if everything is completely normal.  When she looks confused ask her what’s wrong.  Then offer to help her read the book.)

             None of you would be able to read this book if you didn’t have someone here to help you.  You can’t understand what it is saying because you don’t speak name the foreign language. The same is true when you’re learning about God and reading the Bible.  You may be reading English words, but you need the help of the Holy Spirit to be able to understand God and what He is trying to tell you.  Sometimes it feels like God is speaking another language.  The Holy Spirit is your teacher.  When you’re getting to know God by reading His Word, the Holy Spirit will help you just like I helped our volunteer.  If there’s something you don’t understand, the Holy Spirit will teach you.  While you’re growing in God, ask the Holy Spirit to help you get to know Him better.  Before you read your Bible, ask Him to help you understand.  You can even ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray!  Talk to Him.  You can say something like this:

            “Holy Spirit, help me get to know God today.  Help me understand Him.  Teach me as I read the Bible and show me what God is trying to say to me.  Help me to pray and talk to God.  Amen.”   

            Just like our volunteer asked for help understanding the book, you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God.  And just like I helped our volunteer, the Holy Spirit will help you understand parts of the Bible you may not be able to figure out.  It will be like He is sitting down beside you and teaching you.  We can be our best with God’s Holy Spirit.  Ask God to fill you with His Spirit today!   

Powered Up

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Props: any object that functions, but is not as powerful as its counterpart (such as a manual can opener and an electric can opener)

• (Use manual object and demonstrate its functionality.) This object works just fine.  It gets the job done.  But it’s not as powerful as one that runs on electricity. 
• (Demonstrate the power of the electric-operated object).  This one does the same job, but it’s faster, easier and more powerful.
• You can be a Christian without being baptized in the Holy Spirit as Jesus told His followers that they would be. 
• When you are baptized in the Spirit, you can walk with God and work for Him in a more powerful way.
• [Give examples from your life or the life of someone you know]. 
• Be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit!

Power for All

I will pour out my Spirit on all people…In those days I will pour out my Spirit on those who serve me… Joel 2:28, 29

Prop: computer

           Raise your hand if you have a computer at home or school that you can use.  I’m going to tell you something you’re not going to believe: when I was growing up, we didn’t have a computer in our home.  (In fact, I never had a computer in my home until I grew up!)  When I was very young, only really big companies or government agencies had computers.  The first computers were very large, very expensive and only held a small amount of information.  No one ever imagined that every house, every classroom in every school and every employee in some companies could have their own computer.  And no one ever dreamed that computers could be so powerful. Today’s computers are thousands of times more powerful than the first computers that were used. 

            In the Old Testament, before Jesus came to the earth, the power of the Holy Spirit was available to people who were doing God’s work.  But that power was only given to certain people at certain times.  (Give some examples: Balaam, Numbers 24:2; Othniel, Judges 3:10; Gideon, Judges 6:34; Samson, Judges 14, 15; Saul, 1 Samuel 10:10, 11:6; David, 1 Samuel 16:13; Zechariah, 2 Chronicles 24:20; Ezekiel, Ezekiel 11:12)  When someone was doing God’s work and needed His power, the Holy Spirit would “come upon” that person.  But the power of God’s Spirit did not continually flow through most of God’s people. 

            God spoke through the prophet Joel that there would come a day when He would pour out His Spirit on all people who serve Him.  God’s Spirit has always been powerful, but God has not always given that power to people like He does today.  Today the power of God’s Spirit is available to everyone who serves Him, and if you serve God, you can receive the power of His Spirit.  Be filled with the power of God’s Spirit!  It’s available for you; receive it today!

Plug in to the Right Power Source

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Props: variety of electrical/battery operated items and power supplies (cell phone charger, batteries, extension cords, etc.)

I brought several items with me today to help demonstrate God’s power.  Let’s see…I have a flashlight, a fan and a cell phone.  None of these things can operate by itself; all of these items require power to work.  And we all need power and strength to do what God has called us to do.  He has called us to do great things in life: we will never do those things without power.

            So let’s see if I can get these items to operate.  (Attempt to plug cell phone charger into flashlight, then turn the switch to “on.”)  Something’s wrong.  The flashlight isn’t working.  I plugged it in, but I still can’t get it to turn on.   Well, let me try the fan.  (Put batteries on top of the fan and turn on switch).  I don’t understand.  I put the batteries on the fan, and it’s still not working.  The flashlight isn’t working and the fan isn’t working, so maybe I can get the cell phone to work.  (Attempt to plug the cell phone into the extension cord).  Nothing seems to be working for me today!  What am I doing wrong?  (Allow for response).  Oh, did I get things a little mixed up?  (Rearrange the items and plug them into their correct power sources).  Now things seem to be working! 

            Everyone is created to do a special work for the Lord.  Work requires power and strength.  The problem is, many people try to rely on their own power.  They think they can do the work themselves.  That’s like plugging in the cell phone to this extension cord.  If you’re working in your own power, you’re tapped into the wrong power source. Your power won’t get you very far.  God’s power working through you will get the work done.  When you trust in Him, you’ll work just like these items when they have the right power source.                 

            Remember to work in the strength of God’s Spirit.

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