Week: Holy Spirit Adventures - the Book of Acts
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Holy Spirit, like the disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, we’re patiently waiting for You to fill us with Your power and with Your presence. We’re ready for You to send us on new adventures.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
John 14:16-17
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.
John 14:16-17 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
The Holy Spirit had been poured out, and Peter had finished explaining what was happening and telling all those in Jerusalem the amazing news about Jesus. And then the crowds asked a very important, life-changing question in response.
Read by Max
Acts 2:37-39
When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What shall we do?’
Peter said to them, ‘Change your hearts and lives and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to Himself.’
Acts 2:37-39 (NCV)
When the crowds heard Peter talk about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, they cried out ‘what shall we do?’
Peter responded by saying, ‘Change your hearts and lives’. Other translations of the Bible use the word ‘repent’ here, which simply means to change our minds, to turn our minds, our hearts and lives around completely. It’s like Peter is saying, ‘You’ve been living for yourselves, but you need to turn around and live for God instead. Allow God to change your hearts – your attitudes, your actions, your whole lives.’
Peter’s response to the crowd was simple – change how you’re living your life and turn around towards God. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is also about change: If we could change one thing in our community or in the world, what would it be?
If possible, let’s stand up together and turn around, so we’re facing the opposite direction as we pray.
Holy Spirit, we want to be completely changed by You. We ASK that You would change our hearts, our attitudes. And we ASK You to help us change our lives, our actions, too. Help us to live our lives facing and following Jesus.
At the end of today’s passage, Peter says that this message is also ‘for all who are far away’. Who do we know who seems far away from God? We may have prayed for them many times, but let’s ASK the Holy Spirit to work in them today.
Loving God, as we whisper their names to You, we ASK You to send Your Holy Spirit to them. Speak to them in a way that they will know that it’s You, calling their name.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Acts 2:37-39
When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What shall we do?’
Peter said to them, ‘Change your hearts and lives and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to Himself.’
Acts 2:37-39, (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Holy Spirit, we say YES to going on adventures with You. We say YES to being completely changed by You.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 14:16-17
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.
John 14:16-17 (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
