As teenagers, we often face many challenges that can shake our faith. Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand how our faith fits into our everyday lives. But in the book of Acts, we see how the Holy Spirit transformed the lives of the early disciples, filling them with courage and power to spread the message of Jesus Christ. In this lesson, we will learn about the events of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit can help us live out our faith boldly.
Bible Reading: Acts 2:1-4
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Explanation for Teenagers
- Pentecost was a Jewish festival that celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses.
- The disciples were gathered together in one place when suddenly there was a sound like a violent wind, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
- They began to speak in other tongues and were able to communicate the Good News to people from many different countries.
- This event was significant because it marked the beginning of the church and the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit.
Bible Reading: Acts 2:5-13
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?””
Scripture Explanation
- People from all over the world were in Jerusalem for the festival and were able to understand the message of the disciples because of the Holy Spirit.
- This event shows us that the Holy Spirit can overcome language and cultural barriers to share the Good News with everyone.
- It also shows us that the message of Jesus Christ is for all people, regardless of their background.
Bible Reading: Acts 2:14-21
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
Explanation
- Peter explains to the crowd that what they are seeing is the fulfillment of a prophecy from the book of Joel.
- The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams, which can help us understand God’s plan for our lives.
- Peter also references the end times and the coming of the Lord, reminding us that the Holy Spirit is a sign of God’s power and presence in the world.
Discussion Questions
1. What did you learn about the Holy Spirit in this lesson?
2. How can the Holy Spirit help us spread the message of Jesus Christ to others?
3. Why do you think it was important for people from all over the world to hear the message of the disciples in their own language?
4. How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives?
Youth Group Game: Charades
Divide the group into two teams. Write down various actions or emotions (i.e. joy, peace, love, praying, witnessing, etc.) on slips of paper and put them in a hat. One member from each team will draw a slip of paper and act out the action or emotion without speaking. Their team must guess what they are acting out within a certain time limit. The team with the most correct guesses at the end wins.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Help us to rely on the Spirit to guide us and give us the courage to share the Good News with others. We pray that you would fill us with your love and peace, and help us to be a light in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.