Pentecost
"Our Acts" — A "movement" workshop
Summary of Lesson Activities:
In this workshop, the learner will experience the story of Pentecost through rhythm and movement by using "Body Sox." They will be able to tell of the love of God for all people.
Supplies:
- The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories (or whatever version of the Bible you use in your Sunday school)
- Body Sox
- Poster board with memory verse
Teacher preparation:
- Read the Bible passages.
- Read over the background material included in your teacher packet.
- Read over the entire lesson plan and practice the rhythm and verses to be used.
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week—some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.
Dig:
- Have the students sit where you would like them to during the reading of the story. Hand out the Bibles. Have the children find page 384.
- Ask them to think back to the time just after Christ had been crucified and resurrected. Ask them if they remember what Jesus told the disciples before he ascended into heaven? (Wait for the Holy Spirit to come and fill them with power.)
- Read page 384 to the end of the last full paragraph of the first column. Pause and ask the children:
How do you think the disciples felt when they were all together again? (Accept any answer.)
What do think they thought and felt when the extraordinary thing happened? (Accept any answer; be sure "astonished, very surprised, and afraid" is included.) - Read the rest of the first column and to story 339 of page 384. Pause and ask: What would you have thought if you were part of the crowd that heard this? (Accept any answer.)
- Read the rest of pages 384 and 385. Ask: How do you think the disciples and the people felt now? (Accept any answer.)
- Tell the children they are going to act out what happened by responding to sentences in a verse that already has been written. If you have body socks now would be the time to help the children to get into them.
- Read through the verses to “Pentecost: Awaiting Agape” (page 87 of 52 Bible Stories in Rhyme and Rhythm) one line at a time and let the children respond. If the children have trouble coming up with what to do use the ideas suggested under the verses. You should read through this a couple of times with the children responding.
- If there is time go to page 90 of 52 Bible Stories in Rhyme and Rhythm and follow the directions for doing the rhythm with the verses on page 91 and 92
Reflection:
Conclude by asking what this all means to us today? Lead the children to understand that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to tell the world about Jesus. Refer to the poster board and repeat the memory verse together.
Close with a prayer of your own, or use the following:
Thank you, God, for loving us so much that you sent the Holy Spirit to help us have the courage to tell all people about your love. Continue to give us this courage. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Journal Time:
Help the shepherd pass out the journals.
Young Children: Have them write or draw what they remember about the story.
Middle and Older Children: Have them write what Pentecost means to them or how they experience the Holy Spirit.
Dismissal:
Have the children help you tidy up the workshop space, helping straighten up supplies to be used next week. Dismiss them with instructions about where they are to go. If you complete the lesson with quite a bit of time left, you may allow the children to visit the Ewing McGee Children’s Library, being quiet so as not to disturb classes still in session.
References:
Wezeman, Phyllis Vos. 52 Bible Stories in Rhyme and Rhythm. Shining Star (A Division of Frank Schaffer Publications, Inc), Torrance, CA 90505, c. 1995.
A lesson posted by member Jan Marshall,
Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Brentwood, TN, USA
