Leader Guide
Activity
- Language Poster
- Optional: device to play audio from website
- Optional: people who speak other languages
- Bibles or Superbook Bible App
If using an Internet-connected device to play the audio of how to say “Praise God” in various languages, be sure it is connected to the correct website and that the volume is loud enough for the whole class to hear.
Make a copy of each Language Poster in color or black and white.
Optional: several days ahead of time, invite people who speak other languages to visit the class and teach the children how to say “Praise God,” “Alleluia,” “Christ is risen,” “Jesus is Lord,” and other phrases.
Have four older children each read two verses from Acts 2:1–8:
1On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.2Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.3Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.4And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.5At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.6When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.7They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,8and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!”
Imagine being in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost with people from other countries hearing their own languages spoken by Jesus’ followers, who had never learned those languages! The church grew and the people were united in their faith and service to God. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully through the apostles to perform many miraculous signs and wonders. The believers were united together by the Holy Spirit and praised God for all that He was doing among them!See Acts 2:42–47.
In this activity, we will praise God, just like the people did in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost— in many languages! Hold up one of the Language Posters, say what language it is, and show the children what the words look like in that alphabet. If you are using an audio file, play it on your Internet-connected device loud enough for all to hear, then ask the children to repeat the phrase. Do this a few times. If not using an audio file, pronounce the phrase phonetically and have the children repeat after you several times. Do this with each language.
Optional challenge: After you have repeated each language together, divide the class into groups and assign each one a language. Then, on the count of three, have everyone shout “Praise God” together in their assigned language.
How did Jesus’ followers speak all of those languages? They were not highly educated people. They did not study a lot of foreign languages in school.See Acts 4:13.According to Acts 2:4, they spoke as the Spirit gave them the ability. The Holy Spirit brought unity as He enabled the people to communicate. When we are filled with God’s Spirit, He will empower and enable us to do amazing things! Let’s say our SuperTruth together:“I will pursue the Holy Spirit.”