The Spirit comes · wind, fire, and many languages
A Bible story to tell as a family · Acts 2:1–13 · ages 4–12 · 10 min
The story
Before going back to the Father, Jesus had given the disciples an order: wait in Jerusalem until you receive the power that comes from on high. And they waited, praying together. Then came the feast of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover, when Jerusalem filled up with people from many countries. The disciples were all together in one place, united.
Suddenly, without warning, a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, a strong, loud wind, and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Shall we make that sound with our mouths? Whoooosh! But that noise didn’t come from just any storm. It was God arriving.
Then tongues like flames of fire appeared, separated, and came to rest on each of them. No one was left out. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Outside, the noise drew a crowd. There were Jews from many places: Parthians, Medes, people from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Libya, visitors from Rome, Cretans and Arabs. And each one heard those men from Galilee speaking in his own language! Imagine an older man who had come from far away hearing, from the mouth of a fisherman, the words of the language he learned from his mother.
Amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?” And what were the disciples talking about? The wonders of God.
Not everyone reacted the same way. Some asked, “What does this mean?” Others mocked: “They are drunk on new wine!” Then Peter, the same Peter who just weeks before had denied Jesus out of fear, stood up with the Eleven and spoke boldly. He explained that no one was drunk; it was only nine in the morning! This was the promise God had made through the prophet Joel: to pour out his Spirit on sons and daughters, young and old.
Peter told them that God had raised Jesus, the one who had been crucified. Many were cut to the heart and asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” That day, about three thousand people believed and were baptized. And Peter said something that holds for our home too: “This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off.”
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. 7Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
What the Bible says
- v. 2: A sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house.
- v. 4: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
- v. 11: People from many nations heard the wonders of God in their own language.
What we learn
The Holy Spirit is not a mysterious force reserved for a few: he came upon each one, and God promised to pour him out on sons and daughters, young and old. At Pentecost, God showed that he wants to speak to every people in the language of the heart. The same Spirit turned a fearful Peter into a bold messenger. Jesus did not leave his people alone: through the Spirit he is still present, giving courage and bringing very different people together.
Questions to talk about
For little ones
- What noise did the disciples hear?
- What appeared over each one of them?
For kids
- Why was it important that each person heard about God in their own language?
- What changed in Peter after the Holy Spirit came?
For teens
- Some people mocked and said the disciples were drunk. How do you handle it when people make fun of your faith?
For adults
- Peter said the promise is for you and for your children. How can we ask the Spirit for courage and unity in our home without demanding that our children have an experience just like ours?
Activity
Wind and fire: make streamers of red, orange, and yellow paper attached to a stick or straw, and blow to watch them move. Talk about it: we can’t see the wind, but we can see what it does. Then learn to say God is good in other languages: Deus é bom, Dios es bueno, Dieu est bon.
To memorize: Acts 2:39
Prayer
Father, thank you for not leaving us alone. Fill our family with your Holy Spirit. Give courage to the fearful, unity to those who are different, and words to tell of your wonderful works. In Jesus’ name. Amen.