Teaching kids about the Holy Spirit can be simple, even if it’s a concept we, as adults, are still trying to figure out. Use the following thoughts from guest writer, Crista Ashworth to get the conversation going and make sure to check out our FREE summer family devotional on the Fruit of the Spirit HERE.
In the Bible, we can see God in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We can find all three of these God-persons showing up both in the Old Testament AND the New Testament. Sometimes it can seem so complicated to know God, but he has done everything possible to make it very simple. He wants to be known. He even tells us, “When you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!” (Jer. 29:13)
I grew up in a church that loved God and his presence. They loved to sing to him and they loved his Word. I remember being in services where the air was sweet with the presence of God and I heard him speak to my heart in a very personal way. But as I continued down the road in my relationship with him, I noticed some holes in my soul and felt like I was missing something important. My growing-up church did not teach very much about the Holy Spirit; in fact, they were a little bit afraid of him…much like thousands of other churches, maybe even yours.
I think this has been the situation for a lot of churches across America—we were afraid of the weirdness (often portrayed by our Charismatic friends), so we just abandoned the Holy Spirit completely. But we all need the Holy Spirit! He is NOT weird. He is wonderful! He is the one who draws us toward God’s heart in the first place.
The Holy Spirit is an active participant in your salvation. He comes into your heart and makes his home there. But, there is more to it than just that! The more you open up to the Holy Spirit, the more he will fill you with power and love and life. Your relationship with the Spirit doesn’t end when you open your heart at salvation – he wants to fill you up and refill you each day, each moment, giving you exactly what you need to follow Jesus and produce good fruit in your life.
God’s Holy Spirit is the Comforter. The Nurturer. He heals our brokenness. He fills us with life, he empowers us to live supernaturally, he counsels us, leads us, regenerates us. The Bible describes him as a fire, a wind, a fountain. He is the breath of God that makes us alive in Christ. We need him!
Spend some time reading the Word and discovering the Holy Spirit for yourself. Then use the following talking points and activities to teach what you know (or now know) about the Holy Spirit to your kids.
How to Teach Kids About the Holy Spirit
UNDERSTAND
The Holy Spirit is our Helper. When we give our hearts to Jesus, he washes them clean and puts his Holy Spirit inside. When we need help, we can stop to listen or feel what he is saying in our hearts.
He helps our hearts feel better when we are sad. John 14:16-18
He helps us be brave when we are scared. 2 Timothy 1:7
He helps us pray when we don’t know what to say. Romans 8:26
He helps us understand the Bible. I Corinthians 2:8,10
He helps us know God’s love. Romans 5:5
He helps us speak the Truth. 1 Corinthians 2:13
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:14 NLT
Ideas for Discussion:
1. Ask your child, “Do you ever need help?” Then help them list some ways they need help each day. Every person needs help—even grownups! God sent us a special Helper who is kind and gentle, patient and loving. He is the Holy Spirit.
2. Ask your child, “How do you want the Holy Spirit to help you today?”
3. The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:22-23 that when we stay connected to Jesus and walk with the Spirit as our Helper, we produce good fruit in our lives. Can you name the Fruit of the Spirit?
PRACTICE
1. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit in lots of pictures: fire, wind, dove, river, fountain, etc. Ask your child which picture of the Holy Spirit they can see in their mind. Have them draw what they see.
2. Read the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4. Direct your child to use blocks, dolls, legos or other toys to build the scene and provide sound effects for a “mighty rushing wind.”
3. Make time to pray with your child, listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice in your hearts. Ask your child what they hear the Holy Spirit saying to them. Affirm them, even if what they say is a little “off.” It takes practice to learn to hear his voice, and the only way to practice hearing is to try. Do this often enough and you will be amazed at how your children hear God!
4. Use our Fruit of the Spirit family devotional this summer to take a look at the good character traits we develop when we walk with the Spirit as our guide.
PRAY
God, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to us! Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being my Helper. I need you to help me understand the Bible and to love people like Jesus did. I open up my heart to you and invite you to fill me up. Help me to pray what you pray, to sing what you sing and to do what you do. I want to follow your lead. Put your joy deep in my heart and let it bubble out in my family and with my friends. I love you, Holy Spirit!
Have you shared the Holy Spirit with your child? What words or images have you used to explain this complex but important topic of faith?
Want to dig deeper into this topic? Follow along our Family Devotional Calendar this summer for simple prompts about the Fruit of the Spirit you can discuss in just 5-10 minutes. Subscribe to Gather & Grow and get a new calendar download delivered straight to your inbox every month.
[…] That deep well of joy can only come from Jesus when our lives are connected to him. That is why JOY is a Fruit of the Spirit, growing abundantly in the hearts of those who stay connected to the vine (Jesus) and receive wisdom and nourishment from the Holy Spirit. […]