Diving deep into the meaning symbolism of Pentecost is important for our understanding of the Holy Spirit. In this lesson, the 5th graders put together a short 15 min presentation on Pentecost and and its significance. This lesson can be taught to younger students or even presented to parents. When students take the lead at teaching, they become proud of their knowledge and understanding.
Ascension
Pentecost
charisms
Supplies
- Small crucifix
- Supplies to make Pentecost eggs
- Plastic eggs (2 per 3rd grade student)
- Jelly beans (2 per 3rd grade student)
- Small slips of paper (2 per 3rd grade student)
- Small bags are big enough to hold 2 plastic eggs (1 per 3rd grade student)
- Props for presentation if not using Google slides
- extra plastic egg
- printed copies of Calendar pages, artwork, & flame
Opening Discussion Prompts
Explain Easter egg symbolism
- Hold up a crucifix with Jesus:
- What happened on Easter?
- Hold up an Easter egg:
- Why is an egg a symbol of Easter?
- represents new life
- baby chick growing and changing inside
- we should be growing and changing during Lent, too
- when Easter comes we should emerge changed!
- Why is an egg a symbol of Easter?
Explain Easter season
Easter is a season that starts on Easter Sunday and ends 50 days later.
2 big days:
- Ascension Thursday: 40 days after Easter (point out by clicking on Google slide below)
- What happened? Jesus went back to heaven; he was lifted up into the clouds
- How did the Apostles react? Super scared without their leader; scared would be put in prison because they followed him
- Pentecost Sunday: 50 days after Easter (point out by clicking on Google slide below)
- What happened? Holy Spirit came to the Apostles
- What affect did it have? Gave them confidence and desire to do Jesus’s work
- Why did Jesus send it? Help them be strong and brave to go out and preach Jesus’ message
Pentecost Lesson Art Print
Show this artwork of the Pentecost. Ask leading questions about where this is, who is in the picture, and what is happening. Keep the picture available for viewing as the Scripture below is read.
Scripture: The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Get out Bibles and read Acts 2: 1-12 together.
1 [a]When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,[b] and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,[c] which parted and came to rest on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,[d] as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” 12 They were all astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, “What does this mean?”
Acts 2:1-12
Discuss Scripture
What are some of the symbols and signs of the Holy Spirit you that you heard in the story of Pentecost or see in the artwork?
- Wind
- Flame
- Dove
How does the Holy Spirit help us?
Possible responses:
- helps us believe
- pray
- love
- guides our decisions
- choose good acts
Activity: Make Pentecost Eggs
Make Pentecost Eggs to be distributed during the mini-Pentecost lesson that your students will present to a 3rd grade class. All directions can be found on this post.
Assign roles and Practice Teaching Pentecost Lesson
Explain to the class how they will be presenting a Pentecost lesson to a 3rd grade class.
- 7 people will get speaking parts.
- Others will hold up props.
- Everyone will help distribute to the 3rd graders packages containing Pentecost eggs.
The teaching script and necessary props are outlined in this Word document. Summarized below are the roles. Mix and match up parts to fit your classes’ size and skills.
- 1 Speaker: Opening with Easter egg
- 2 Prop Holder: Hold up plastic egg
- 3 Speaker: Explain Easter Season and when is Pentecost
- 4 Prop Holder: Hold up Calendar pages
- 5 Speaker: Describe event of Pentecost by using Pentecost Artwork
- 6 Prop Holder: Hold up picture of Pentecost Artwork
- 7 Speaker: Describe flame symbol
- 8 Prop Holder: Hold picture of flame
- 9 Speaker: Talk about gifts of the Holy Spirit and charisms
- 10 Speaker: Describe Pentecost eggs
- 11 Prop Holder: Hold up a prepared bags of Pentecost eggs
- (everyone distributes bags)
- 12 Speaker: Closing
Below is a google slides presentation to use if you would like to do an electronic presentation Open speaker notes for script.
Once roles are assigned, practice the presentation until it is polished.
Closing Prayer
Say the prayer to the Holy Spirit
Dear Families
This week, we will learn about Pentecost, a very special event in the early church, by reading Acts 2: 1-12. Then we will make Pentecost eggs that we will distribute when we go teach a mini-Pentecost lesson to the 3rd graders next week.
- What symbol for the Holy Spirit (wind, flame, dove) do you connect with the most?
- When do you feel the power of the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and thoughts?
Thank you for the opportunity to teach your child.
Your Child’s Catechist