KidzPort May 30 – A New Journey

June 1, 2010

We’ve been taking a journey the past couple of weeks from Easter to Pentecost, travelling though the Gospel of John and the beginning of the Book of Acts.  From reading Acts 2, we know the story of the Pentecost, and what happened.

If you were to visit Kidzport this week, you would know, too.  Pentecost is laid out in a storyboard of sorts, all around the room – from the gathering of devout men “in one accord” to the 3000 that were baptized that day.   What we’re seeing her is the beginning of something special, something that had never been seen before.  Pentecost is the beginning of the church as we know it… the beginning of men (and women) telling others about Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and making disciples – the heart of the Great Commission.

Beginning next week, we will start a new journey – through the Book of Acts, through the beginnings of the church that the Holy Spirit inspired the twelve to begin.  We will meet some fascinating people.  Some we already know – Peter, James, John…   We will meet others as well – Stephen, Simon Magnus, Cornelius, Barbabas, Silas – and, of course, Saul of Tarsus, otherwise known as Paul.

For Parents:

• Ask your child if they can recount for you the story of Pentecost. It’s OK to give them hints.
• We are still working on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Please see the last post.  The children should have them memorized by now.

Schedule Note:   Remember as of June, cell meetings for both children’s cells are on WEDNESDAYS, not Fridays.

KidzPort May 9 – A Mighty Rushing Wind

May 11, 2010

Last week’s lesson was about what happened 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection.  On that day, Jesus told the disciples to wait inJerusalem, because the Holy Spirit would soon come to them.   So, what exactly were they waiting for?

Acts 2 tells us that the twelve were waiting in Jerusalem and were all “of one accord”, which is important. It means they were together, not only in place, but in mind and spirit.  Acts tells us that there was the sound like a mighty rushing wind, and that tongues of fire came on them.  They began speaking in strange tongues, and people around them thought they were drunk, because they didn’t understand what they were saying.

Then another miracle happened.  All the people around, no matter where they were from or what language they spoke, were able to understand what the apostles were saying.  They each heard in in their own language.  Then Peter spoke, and the bible tells us that 3,000 believers were added that day!

So what kind of things does the Holy Spirit give us?  We will be talking about this in the next few weeks, but the list of Gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians looks like this:

• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Faith
• Healing
• Miracles
• Prophecy
• Discerning of Spirits
• Speaking in Tongues
• Interpreting Tongues

For Parents:

• Read with your child the story of Pentecost in Acts 2: 1-13.  See that they can recount the story with you.
• Tell your child of any times you feel that one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit was working in you
• Help your child to memorize the list above.  We’d like them to know it by May 23.

KidzPort June 21- Gifts of the Holy Spirit

June 23, 2009

Last week’s lesson on the Fruit of the Spirit led perfectly into this weeks conversation.  This week we looked at the other side of the provisions the Holy Spirit gives us – the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In our lives, there are differences between fruit and gifts.  A fruit is something that is planted, nurtured, and grown before it is ready for use.  But once grown, and properly cared for, it will be useful perpetually.  A gift, on the other hand, is given ready to use, but it is generally given for a specific reason or occaision, and its usefulness may be limited.

So it is with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  When they are given, they are ready to use.  But, in God’s timing, they may be only for a given moment, or a specific purpose. 

The Gifts, of course, are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:  wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues. These are also sometimes referred to as the “Charismatic Gifts,” as there are other gifts that the Holy Spirit will give as He wills. 

We also talked about what happened to the Apostles on the Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit came upon them, and what things they were able to do afterwards.

For Parents:

• Read over the list of Gifts with your child.  Make sure they understand what each one means. (we went over this in class.)
• Read Acts 2 and discuss how the Spirit came upon the Apostles.  What powerful miracles followed this? 
• Pray with your child that the Fruit of the Spirit might grow in them, and God might use them by giving them Gifts.

KidzPort March 8 – Like a Sponge

March 10, 2009

We switched things up a little this week.  Pastor Mike lead the KidzTrek post-encounter group, while Sister Jill led the Kidzport group.

One thing that the kids talked about was the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and the importance of God’s Word to each of them.   Hebrews 4:12-13 says

 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

That sword is a heavy one – but a powerful one.  God says that if we use the Word, keep it in our hearts, that it will keep us nourished.

To illustrate that point, we challenged the kids to a little science experiment.  It goes like this:  Take a new sponge and cut it in half. Put each half in a cup of water for a day.  After the first day, drain all the water out of one of the cups, leave the other full.  At the end of the week compare the two sponges. 

The sponges are us.  The water is Jesus – the Water of Life.  What does being removed from the water do to us?

For Parents:

• Encourage your children to be in the Word each day.  It’s never to early – read one verse!  (Come to think of it, that’s a good idea for you, too.)
• Make sure your child does the “homework.”  Check it out with them, and compare the “results.”
• Work with your child on the memory verse – Heb 4: 12-13.