Walk in the Spirit

So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do. Since we live by the Spirit, let us march in step with the Spirit.  Galatians 5:16, 25

 Props: buddy planks

 Have two helpers demonstrate walking on the buddy planks. 

 When you come to know the Lord and the Holy Spirit lives in you, He wants to lead you closer to God.  However, he will not force you to get closer to God. 

• The Bible says to “march in step with the Spirit.”  In other words, walk in the direction that the Holy Spirit leads you by listening closely to His voice and obeying Him.  (Give examples of the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life). 
• If you go your own way, you will be walking away from God and sin leads to death.  
• Let the Spirit’s power keep you from sin.

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

(Mark 13:9-11; Luke 11:11-13; John 14:25-27; Acts 1:7, 8; Acts 2: 14-18, 38, 39; Jude 20; Romans 8: 26, 27)

 God exists as three persons who have different characteristics, but they are all God.  There is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  You have probably heard mostly about God the Father, and about His Son Jesus, but maybe you haven’t heard so much about the Holy Spirit. 

 Let’s begin by learning about the work of the Spirit.   

             The Spirit:

                        Speaks to and through us

                        Points to Jesus

                        Intercedes (prays) for us and through us

                        Reminds us of what is right and wrong

                        Invites us to draw closer to God

                        Teaches us all truth about God and His Word

             God wants us to be filled with His Holy Spirit.  The Bible promises that if we turn from our sins and follow God, He will give His Holy Spirit to us if we ask Him.  If you want to be filled with God’s Spirit, be prepared to ask and receive today

Worship Is Adoration

“…those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.”  John 4:24

 Props: cherished keepsake, such as a special figurine

             Today I brought with me something very special.  This teddy bear (or other object) is very special to me because my best friend gave it to me.  So usually I just leave it in a box in the drawer under my socks.  Does that sound right?  (Allow for response).  Of course not!  I love this teddy bear, so I love to look at it and show it to other people.  I love to talk about how cute it is and how much it means to me.  I wouldn’t dream of putting it away.

            Worshiping God means letting Him know how much you love Him.  If you love Him you’re going to want to tell Him and others.  I wouldn’t put away my special teddy bear, neither would I keep my love for God buried.  I tell Him how much I love Him and I tell others how much I love Him.  Worshiping is giving God what He deserves.

Worship Is Devotion

“…those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.”  John 4:24

 Props: roll of packing or masking tape

 As you begin speaking, bring up a helper and begin taping your leg to his or hers, as you would for a three-legged race. 

 Worshiping God means giving Him what He deserves.  God deserves for us to be totally dedicated, committed, sold out to Him.  Some people only want to “worship” God when they’re at church; that’s not worship at all.  We need to stick with God and worship Him all the time.  (Finish taping).  Look at my friend and me.  We’re stuck together now.  That means that I’m committed to him and he’s committed to me.  I’m taking him everywhere with me.  I’m stuck to him in the good times and the bad times.  I’m not going to just be around him when it’s convenient; we’ll always be together. 

Worshiping God means taking Him with you everywhere you go, like my friend and I are stuck together.  It means being with Him all the time.  You can’t just come to church, go home and leave God here.  (If you feel that it would be best at the time, talk for a moment about your personal time with the Lord at home, prayer time with family and friends, etc.)  Take Him with you and worship Him constantly.  Worshiping is giving God what He deserves.  He deserves our total commitment.

Get All You Can

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

Props: toy or other item that comes with a mail-in offer

            I brought one of my favorite toys today.  It was a gift from (name appropriate person).  (Take a moment to describe the toy and why you enjoy it).    

Salvation is a free gift, like this toy came as a free gift to me.  There is nothing you or I can do to work for our salvation.  God gives it to us freely.  But it gets even better!  Sometimes toys come with “extra” gifts.  This toy has a mail-in offer.  (Read the offer).  So I can get another toy for absolutely free if I send in this card and tell them I want it.  All I have to do is ask.  But if I don’t ask, I’ll never get it.    

            Salvation is the greatest gift you could ever receive.  God has promised you an abundant life on this earth and eternal life with Him in Heaven if you just turn away from your sins and ask Him to forgive you.  But there’s even more waiting for you if you just ask.  The Holy Spirit is an “extra” gift that God wants to give you.  He is waiting to give you His Holy Spirit.  Just ask Him to fill you with His Spirit.  Being filled with the Spirit is a free gift, like salvation; but you have to ask! 

The Holy Spirit will give you the power to live your very best for God.  He will help you to work for God and tell others about His love.  Through the Holy Spirit, God will give you the power to pray for people and see them healed, to talk to people about God’s love and they will listen!  Be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit!  Ask for and receive this special gift from God today!

Flip the Switch

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. Ephesians 2:18 (NLT)

 

Hook up a light to a switch that can be easily seen by the kids as you present from the stage.  Have a number of helpers come out, all with some kind of exaggerated difference (one with green hair, one noticeably shorter than the others, one wearing a brightly colored shirt, one without shoes, etc.)  Dim the house lights and have the first helper flip the switch to turn on the light.  He comments, “There, that’s better.”  The second helper says, “Wow, that was cool!  Can I try?”  The first helper says “No, you can’t flip that switch.  You [are shorter than me, have green hair…whatever the difference is].”  The two go back and forth until the second one turns the light off and on again.  The first one can’t believe it worked for someone who [is shorter, has green hair…whatever].  The third helper comes along and wants to try, but the first two protest because he [name the difference].  They go back and forth until the third one tries it and it works.  Continue until all the helpers have tried and the switch works for each of them.

 

Teacher follow-up:

• The Bible teaches us that God’s power is for all who believe. 
• Some people think that God doesn’t love other people the same as He loves them.  They think that people in other countries can’t know God the same way, or maybe that poor people can’t love God or people who talk or act differently can’t be filled with God’s power like they can.
• God can and will pour out His love and power on anyone who believes in Him, loves and serves Him. 
• Just like in this skit, the light switch worked for the kid with the green hair and the one with the blonde hair.  It turned on the light for the tall ones and the short ones.  It was just as powerful for the kids with tennis shoes as the ones with sandals. 
• When God gives His power to you, He doesn’t look at your outside, or where you came from or your accent or any of that.  He looks at your heart for Him.  If you love and serve Him, and seek His power, He will give it to you. 
• Remember, God’s power is for all who believe.

Filled with Power

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: fire extinguisher, pictures of fire fighters on scene

• The power of God’s Spirit will make you bold.  In your walk with God you will go through some hard times.  The devil will throw things at you to try to make you afraid, but if you are filled with God’s Spirit you can stand boldly for Him no matter what the troubles are around you.  You will know that you don’t have to be afraid.
• Think about a group of people who face danger often: firefighters.  When they go into a dangerous situation where there are fires, they have to make sure they have what it takes to fight.  They make sure they have hoses that are hooked up and ready to work with power!
• Imagine if a firefighter pulled out his hose and ran up to the flames, only to discover that the hose wasn’t hooked up to the water source.  He would be defenseless against the flames and would have reason to be afraid and fearful.
• As you fight the enemy every day, you can face him with boldness if you are filled with the power of God’s Spirit.  You won’t be afraid to stand up for Him and tell others about His love.  You won’t be afraid of the devil’s threats. 
• The power of God’s Spirit will make you bold!

Empowered to Shine

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: picture of a lighted neon sign and the same sign unlit

            (Show picture of lighted sign).

• I’m sure you’ve all seen signs like this.  But have you ever thought about why stores and businesses have signs?  They put signs up because they have a message to tell everyone.  They want to let everyone know that they are open, or that there is a sale.
• You and I have been given the most important message of all to give to people: we are to let them know about God’s love and the salvation that comes through His Son, Jesus.
• When you are filled with God’s power, He will make you bold and you will be like this sign, shining for all to see.  Everyone will be able to see the love of God and his light shining through your life and coming out in your actions and words. 

             (Show unlit sign).

• This sign still has the same message, but it’s much harder to see. 
• Maybe your life is filled with God’s love, but people can’t see it because you’re not plugged into God’s power.  You might have a hard time talking about your faith and love for God.  You might get embarrassed when someone asks you about God, the Bible or church. 
• When you plug into the power of God’s Spirit, you will shine brightly for God.  There will be no missing your message.
• The power of God’s Spirit will make you bold.  Allow His power to fill you and make you shine for Him!

Called to do the Impossible

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

Props: dry erase board and markers

Before the lesson, put away all the dry erase markers.

Call forward a volunteer and ask him if he thinks he can do an easy task. Tell him the task it to write his name on the dry erase board. Ask him if he is sure he can do it. When he says he is sure, tell him to go ahead and write his name. If he tries to use a pen, pencil or standard marker, remind him that those do not work on this special board. When he realizes that he is unable to write his name, offer him a dry erase marker. He should then complete the task. Thank him and continue with the lesson.

Our volunteer thought his task would be easy; then he realized he didn’t have what he needed to get the job done. There will be many times in your life when God will ask you to do things that seem impossible. He may ask you to tell a friend or family member about His love and you might be afraid to do it. He may ask you to pray for someone who is sick and believe Him to heal that person. God may want you to preach a sermon or even to start a world-wide ministry. Whatever it is, you will need power and strength to do the job.

When I asked our friend to write his name, it didn’t take him long to realize he needed more than the board. He needed more than what he had. When God asks you to do something, you need more than your own power, strength and talent to get the job done. You need more than all the money you have. You need the power of God’s Holy Spirit. As you are filled with God’s Spirit, He gives you the power to get the job done, whatever the job is. Even if it seems impossible for you to do it, it is never impossible for God. And that’s why you have to trust in Him, not yourself. If you work in God’s power, the job He calls you to do will get done.
Work in the strength of God’s Spirit. Remember to obey Him and let Him do the work through you.

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