The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide
Inspector Nigel and Engineer Kelly search for lost zoo animals using a guidebook to help.
Start Lesson
Large Group Instructions
Countdown from 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Trick Blindfold
Host enters, dressed in overalls. The Co-Host enters. He/She is wearing a trick blindfold to make it seem like he/she can’t see. Pretend to bump around the stage in an attempt to find the Host. If you don’t have a trick blindfold, then use a thin piece of material that you can see through or leave room at the bottom so you can see your feet.
Host
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! I’m so glad that you are here.
Co-Host
Excuse me! I wonder why I’m having such a hard time finding my way to the Train Station. Has anyone seen the Jr. Conductors?
Host
Jr. Conductors, why can’t our friend find the Train Station? (Pause) That’s right; it’s because he/she is wearing a blindfold.
Co-Host
What’s wrong with that?
Host
Jr. Conductors, tell our friend why his/her blindfold won’t help.
Co-Host
Do you think I should take it off? (Pause) Okay. (Takes it off) Wow, there you are. I was looking for you everywhere. I guess my blindfold did not help me very much. Let me see if I’m right. Jr. Conductors, close your eyes tightly and put your hands over them. Guess how many fingers I’m holding up without looking.
Hold up your fingers. You can even hold them behind your back in case some kids peek.
Co-Host
Nope, keeping our eyes closed does not help.
Host
Not at all, but today we’re going to learn about our Helper who is the perfect guide because He sees and knows everything. If you’re ready to learn about our Helper, say, “Choo-choo!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
I hope Engineer Kelly and Inspector Nigel find all of the missing animals.
Co-Host
I’m glad Conductor Carl gave them a guidebook.
Host
Engineer Kelly has pictures of all of the missing animals. When they find an animal, they can look in the book and see if it matches.
Co-Host
We should play a matching game using the guidebook so we can be ready to help them.
Host
That’s a great idea. We’ll search for animals. Everyone, make binoculars around your eyes. When we find one, you can help decide if it matches one of the animals that are missing.
Co-Host
Before we decide, we will check the guidebook to find a picture of the missing animal. Then we can say, “Yes” or “No.”
Show the slides. Ask the kids if the two pictures match.
Host
You did a great job. It would have been harder without the guidebook. That reminds me of how our Helper, the Holy Spirit, helps us. Let's practice the Big Point again,
Host
The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide!
Co-Host
That means the Holy Spirit can help us make wise choices, and He can guide us to good things.
Host
If we’re not sure if something is true, then we can ask the Holy Spirit for help.
Co-Host
He is like our guidebook. Let’s go help Engineer Kelly and Inspector Nigel find the missing animals.
Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Bible
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Engineer Kelly and Inspector Nigel are doing a great job. I’m glad they remembered to check their guidebook. That reminds me of what we’ve learned about the Big Point. Let’s practice it again,
Host
The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide!
Co-Host
Conductor Carl shared a verse from the Bible with Engineer Kelly that teaches us how the Holy Spirit guides us.
Co-Host
John 16:13 (NIrV) in the Bible says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” Does the Holy Spirit tap us on the shoulder and tell us what is true? Let’s lightly tap our friend on the shoulder.
Host
The Holy Spirit doesn’t tap us on the shoulder. One of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us is by reminding us of what the Bible says. The Bible (Show the Bible) is God’s Word.
Co-Host
What if someone said it’s okay to say mean words? Is that what the Bible says? Scrunch your face up into an angry snarl.
Host
Let’s look at what the Bible says in Ephesians 4:32 (NIrV), “Be kind and tender to one another.” Instead of choosing mean words, we can choose kind words. Let’s all say, “You are my friend.”
Co-Host
What if someone said that we should take a cookie that doesn’t belong to us? Pretend to gobble a chocolate chip cookie. Is that what the Bible says to do?
Host
Let’s look at what the Bible says in Leviticus 19:11 (NIrV), “Do not steal.” Oh dear! We don’t want to take what’s not ours. Let’s pretend to see a cookie, but not touch it. Everyone, freeze, really still.
Co-Host
What if our friend said that we should give food to someone who is hungry? Let’s rub our tummies and say, “Grrr.” It sounds like our tummy is so hungry it’s growling. Does the Bible say to share with others?
Host
Let’s look at what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIrV), “God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving is so much fun! Yes, we should give. Pretend to give your friend an apple. Now take a big bite.
Co-Host
The Holy Spirit helps us know what is true and what is not true. I’m glad we have the Holy Spirit’s help.
Host
Me, too! The Holy Spirit is a good gift for all of Jesus’ friends. Let’s stand and sing a song to worship God.
Big Story
Optional, play soft instrumental music
You can ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, too. Let’s practice our Big Verse and use it as a prayer. Repeat after me, “The Holy Spirit will guide me.” (Repeat 2x) I’ll use this verse to pray for you. (Pray)
Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Pointer or Laser Pointer
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
They found all of the animals! They did such a good job. I’m glad they followed their guidebook, just like we can follow the Holy Spirit. Let’s practice our Big Point,
Host
The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide!
Co-Host
Peter needed the Holy Spirit’s help to know what was really happening when Ananias and Sapphira didn’t tell the truth. He listened to Holy Spirit and learned the truth.
Host
You can tell your family about Peter listening to the Holy Spirit when you do the Big Do.
Host
Conductor Carl said that we can use the map on our parents’ phone to guide us to somewhere fun. Let’s practice doing that together.
Co-Host
We’ll look at a map and follow the line to where we want to go. You can trace it with your finger.
Show each map and help the kids follow the line to find their way to something fun. Use the pointer to help point on the map. Go the wrong direction at times and allow the kids to correct you. When you reach a place, act out something that you might do at that location.
Co-Host
That was so much fun, and it was easy to find because the map showed us where to go.
Host
It’s easier when we have a guide. That’s why we all want to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit. Let’s say our Big Point once more,
Host
The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide!
Big Review
Let’s practice our Big Point again. Did our Big Point say The Holy Spirit Is Our Gummy Bear or The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide?
Let’s pretend to be animals. (Call out different animals) Who helped Conductor Carl find missing animals? Engineer Kelly and Inspector Nigel How did they know which animals to find? They used their guidebook
Let’s pretend to count ten gold coins. Did Ananias and Sapphira tell the truth about their gift or did they lie in the Big Story? They lied Was that wrong? Yes
Pretend to use binoculars to look around the room. What things do you see? Pretend you are looking in the jungle. What do you see there? What does our Big Verse say? John 16:13 (NIrV), “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the (truth/lies).” Will the Holy Spirit help you to know what is true? Yes
What did Conductor Carl share that we can do in the Big Do? Use the map on your phone to guide you somewhere fun
Clean Up
