Engage your students with a review of Holy Spirit symbols by playing a “Holy Spirit filled game” that works like Pictionary. An understanding of the symbols of the Holy Spirit are important because it is God’s power in action. The Holy Spirit is the active force to help us act like Jesus.
The 8 symbols used in this Holy Spirit game come from a list of symbols that can be gleaned from a review of Scripture. Please see the bottom of this post for a handy teaching guide of “Why these are symbols of the Holy Spirit” and the “Biblical basis” for each symbol so that you can summarize those key points during this game. Also consider doing the exercise on “Holy Spirit Symbols in the Bible” activity with your class for a deeper dive into the Biblical connections with Holy Spirit symbols (post coming soon).
Symbols of the Holy Spirit
1. Dove
2. Flame
3. Wind
4. Oil
5. Water
6. Cloud
7. Light
8. Hand
How to Play Holy Spirit Pictionary Game
For lower elementary students:
- Make yourself the full-time drawer.
- Divide class into 2 teams.
- Draw a symbol from the set above on the whiteboard. Tip: Concentrate on doing the first 5 because they are the most familiar.
- The first person to guess the symbols wins a point for their team. (If your teams are big, only let one person from each team be guessing.)
For upper elementary students:
- Write the words on slips of paper.
- Randomly pick someone to be the first drawer.
- The drawer pulls a slip of paper and draws that symbol on the whiteboard.
- The first person to guess the symbol gets to be the next drawer.
Teaching Guide on the Symbols of the Holy Spirit
1. Dove
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Divine, pure and loyal
- Symbol of peace, trust and gentleness
- Messenger reminding us to evolve and grow and follow the compass of God
Biblical basis:
- At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove
- For Noah, the dove was used as a sign of life after the flood helping bring him and his family to land
2. Flame
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Full of energy (fires us up to do God’s work)
- All consuming (gives us passion that will last a lifetime)
- Burns away impurities
Biblical basis:
- At Pentecost, tongues of fire rested on each Apostle
- Moses experienced the power of God in the burning bush
3. Wind
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Moving air that is invisible and mysterious
- Its presence is known by its effects which can like a whisper or strong like a hurricane
- Not only refreshing but also powerful and not subject to human control
Biblical basis:
- At Pentecost, a strong driving wind filled the entire house as the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit
4. Oil
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Softens, heals and comforts us
- Anoints and seals us (with the gifts of the Holy Spirit)
- Gives us power to resist evil
Biblical basis:
- Anointing with oil was a call to the Spirit’s action in doing good and providing healing power in both the Old and New Testament
5. Water
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Life-giving
- Renews us and cleanses us
- Quenches our thirst and makes us satisfied
Biblical basis:
- Water was precious commodity in Biblical time
- The baptism of Jesus took place in water
- Jesus said he would give life-giving water to those who believe
6. Cloud
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Mysterious and mystical
- Guiding presence in the sky
- Bringer of rain and refreshment
Biblical basis:
- In the Old Testament, God often lead the Israelites through the wilderness by a cloud and appeared to them in a cloud
- At Jesus’ transfiguration, the Holy Spirit manifested inself in the form of a cloud.
7. Light
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Enlightens and illuminates us
- Gives clarity to the truth
- Directs our path
Biblical basis:
- At the Annunciation when the Holy Spirit came to Mary, she was “overshadowed” with its power
- In both the Old Testament and New Testament, God’s word is found in the light and lamps.
8. Hand/Finger
Why it represents the Holy Spirit:
- Laying of hands Invokes healing and blessing
- Encouraging and motivating to a Believer (to “charge” them to do God’s work)
- Universal symbol of protection
Biblical basis:
- Jesus heals the sick and blesses children by laying of his hands
- Apostles carry on his work by imposition of hands
- The 10 Commandment tablets given Moses were inscribed by God’s own finger