Bible Study

Ask 10 children to be volunteer readers. Give each one a section of the Spirit Scriptures Worksheet and have them look up the verse so they are prepared to read it aloud. If you have fewer than ten children in the class, have each child look up more than one verse.

After each child reads a scripture, have the class discuss how the Holy Spirit is represented in that passage. List any symbols on the board.

1. Mark 1:10 Dove

As Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove.

2. Matthew 3:11 Fire

"I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

3. Acts 2:3 Fire

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

How was this verse a fulfillment of Matthew 3:11?

4. Exodus 13:21 Cloud and Fire

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.

5. John 16:13:

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.

Discuss how the Holy Spirit now lives inside us and is our guide. Compare John 16:13 with Exodus 13:21.

6. Acts 2:2 Wind

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

7. John 3:8 Wind

“The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word that spirit comes from means “air in motion.” It is the same word for “breath.” This word also means “life.” The wind, air and breath represent the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, the Greek word for the word Spirit means “a current of air,” “breath” or “breeze.”

8. John 4:14: Water

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

9. Psalm 133:2 Oil

For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.

10. Acts 10:38

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Compare Acts 10:38 with Psalm 133:2. The oil was poured out on God’s chosen priest to anoint Him. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is poured out on us to serve God.

Conclusion: God’s Spirit is represented in many different ways in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is invisible, yet He lives in all who believe in Jesus as their Savior.

Dear God, Help us to continue to pursue You every day. Thank You for breathing life into us and giving us the power to live for You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.