ELEMENTARY
KIDS & FAMILIES
date
3.2
There is a superpower
that God gives us
called the Holy Spirit.
Inspire (for parents)
The early elementary years are an imaginative,
magical time! And some of the best
adventures happen when children play on the
playground and morph into race car drivers,
gymnasts, sand architects, and of course,
superheroes. The superheroes defended the
playground, fighting off evil attackers (usually
girls). Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the
superheroes ruled the playground and things
got out of control. It wasn’t long before it was
time for a “superhero lesson.”
when we ask Jesus into our lives. God’s power
is the greatest power of all!”
This was an elementary introduction to the
power of the Holy Spirit. What a simple, yet
amazing concept. Isn’t it amazing that God’s
plan is to empower all believers with the Holy
Spirit, enabling them to establish His kingdom
here on earth? Isn’t it amazing that God allows
us to be superheroes when we acknowledge
the power that is within us and live in it? And
isn’t it amazing that, when we do this, God can
use us to teach our children that the Holy Spirit
is truly the Hero that saves the world!
I gathered my son and his friends and asked,
“Why are superheroes cool?” Bobby jumped
up, raising his imaginative sword and said,
by Sue Funkhouser
“Because they have POWER!” “What kind of
power?” I asked. Michael could
hardly wait to answer, “The kind
that saves the world!” This was
11
ew 3:13–17; 4:1–
my moment; I knew that the Holy
Scripture: Matth
wer
Po
Us
s
ve
Gi
’s Spirit
Spirit was at work. I looked around
Main Point: God
your family to
the circle and asked, “Wouldn’t it be
signed to allow
de
is
ce
ur
so
re
This
your children
d’s Word before
great to really have superpowers?”
Go
in
e
tim
ve
ha
n is for parents
Because God’s pla
Their eyes lit up. I continued, “There
ren’s faith,
attend church.
rers of their child
rtu
nu
l
ua
irit
sp
is a superpower that God gives us
e
to be th
lly, your children
you grow spiritua
as
at
th
called the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
ow
kn
we
lly as well.
lives inside of us and gives us the
will grow spiritua
Getting Started
power to do things that God wants
us to do. That power comes to us
Equip (for parents)
Because there is no direct reference to
REM
EMB
baptism in the Old Testament, we often falsely
“And
ER v
he d
believe that baptism is solely a Christian
ers
ied f
w
E
h
or al
o live
practice. However, in Jesus’ day, baptism
l, tha
s
h
ould
for t
t tho
was seen as nothing unusual. According to
hem
no lo
se
Jewish tradition, baptism was one of many
s
elve
nger
died
s
live
but f
for t
ceremonial purification rites. Known as
hem
or hi
agai
mikvah in Hebrew, ritual immersion
m
a
nd w
n.” 2
who
Cori
as ra
was performed to purify an individual
nthi
ised
ans
after being defiled; for instance, being
5:15
in contact with the dead, outcastS, or after
giving birth. Without undergoing this custom,
individuals would be considered “unclean”
Support
and therefore not allowed to enter the temple.
(for parents & kids)
Unlike some Christian customs, where
Just for fun, one night this week during
individuals may be baptized only once, those in
dinnertime,
ask your children how they would
Jewish society might be baptized many times
feel
if
they
didn’t
eat for a day? Two days? How
depending on the circumstances. In addition,
about
…
40
days?
After dinner, read through
mikvah was performed by those converting
the
biblical
account
of Jesus’ baptism and
to Judaism. This baptism ensured that new
temptation
in
Matthew
3:13–17 and 4:1–11.
converts were purified, restored to God, and fit
Explain
to
them
that
Jesus
fasted—He turned
for participation within the Jewish community.
the time and energy He would have used to
The baptisms John performed were
prepare and eat food into time He could focus
somewhat unique. Jewish baptism is an
on God.
unassisted, self-immersion tradition, while in
Talk about how people today still fast to
many Christian traditions, someone assists the
spend more time with God. As a family, pray
person in and out of the water, as John did.
about something you could fast from this week.
This makes some sense when we consider
It could be food, but it could also be TV, video
that an “unclean” or “defiled” individual could
games, or something else that uses your time
not be touched without making the other
and energy. Ask God to show up and reveal His
person unclean as well.
power through the Holy Spirit to your family
Aside from simply baptizing those who
through this time of fasting.
required outward purification, John invited
When you are finished, share with your
those who needed baptism for inward
children that what they just heard is a part of
purification. In Matthew 3:11, John proclaims,
The Big God Story in the Bible, and they will
“I baptize you with water for repentance.” He
hear more about God’s Spirit giving us power
asked his audience to repent, turn from their
in church this week.
sins, and be baptized. This led the way to a
wholly new baptism; one that symbolized
being formed into a new creation.
© 2011 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church
and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.