God’s Promises to Us
Bible Verse
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." (CEV) Acts 1:4
We make promises all the time to the people around us. Some of them are big, and some of them may seem small. God’s promise to send the Holy Spirit to the disciples was significant. It meant that after Jesus left this earth, the disciples would never be alone. Jesus would always be with them, gifting and guiding them.
Today, when we talk about the gift of the Holy Spirit, we talk about all of the blessings that come along with the Spirit. In addition to the gift of God’s presence, we talk about the Spirit helping us counsel, teach, disciple, and discern. However, when we talk about God’s gifts to us through his Spirit, one thing should be clear: the promised gift of the Holy Spirit is just as real today as it was for the disciples at Pentecost.
Here are a few things to do during this Pentecost week with your kids to remember the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.
Learn about spiritual gifts. We all have gifts given to us through the Holy Spirit. Help your kids discover and explore some of the gifts that God has given them. You can search the Bible to identify some of the gifts that God gives to his people (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-16). Pinpoint a few gifts that apply to each member of your family.
Practice some of those gifts. Once you have identified specific gifts that God has given you and your kids, put them into practice. Find ways to use your gifts and share those ways as a family.
If your child has the gift of service, help them find a way to serve in your church, school, or broader community.
If they have the gift of creative ability, help them use their creativity in school projects or at home.
If they have the gift of leadership, find ways to put them in charge of small things to practice that gift meaningfully.
Whatever gift your child has, find a meaningful way to start cultivating that gift in them. You might be amazed at how much they thrive in doing something God has given them a passion for.
When God fulfilled his promise to his people to send his Spirit to be with them, he fulfilled one of our greatest needs. He made it so that we would never be alone. God’s Spirit is always with us, guiding and gifting us every day. Lean into that promise and help your kids lean into it. Learn about the Spirit in your own life, and then help your kids learn about the Spirit. As you learn more about his Spirit, you will grow closer to him and more confident that he will always be with you. That is a fantastic promise that God freely gives to his children.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article, The Spirit's Fire for Your Family.
Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is the Director of Faith Formation at First Christian
Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado. He has also served churches in
California and Michigan. He has a passion for youth ministry and
intergenerational ministry in the local church. When he isn’t working at
church or writing he enjoys hanging out with his wife and 2 children,
hiking, woodworking, and watching movies.
