The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter

Host

Welcome to the Lab! Why do you have that emoji over your face?

Co-Host

It accurately depicts how I feel right now.

Host

If you were texting someone and sent that emoji, what emotion would you be feeling? Right, it’d be because you were scared. Why are you scared?

Co-Host

I can’t remember my lines! I studied, but what if I can’t remember anything I’m supposed to say?

Host

The good news for you is that you have a Helper who is amazing at helping us when we feel nervous.

Co-Host

That does sound great. Let’s hear it. What’ve you got?

Host

We’ll get to that, but first we are going to see what's going on in the lab today.

Host

Hannah and Ethel seem nervous about their big speech. Have you ever had an important recital or game that made you feel nervous?

Co-Host

I’m concerned that Rusty’s advice is not going to help very much. What do you guys and girls think?

Host

I hope that Rusty is going to remind Ethel and Hannah that they have a Helper. Let’s bring up a lab assistant to help us reveal how He helps us in today’s Big Point.

Co-Host

It sounds like they need the help. After we count down from three, read the Big Point.

Co-Host

Let’s all say it together, The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter! Comfort, yes, that’s something we all need.

Host

Here are some items that might be comforting to some of you guys. Raise your hand if you find any of these items comforting.

Co-Host

Let’s have a lab assistant interview some of you to find out which other items bring you comfort.

Host

The problem is that those items only bring temporary comfort.

Co-Host

And you don’t always have them with you. The Holy Spirit is different.

Host

He is with you wherever you go, day or night. You can’t lose the Holy Spirit or forget Him at home. He is always with you and wants to comfort you, in any situation.

Co-Host

That’s so cool that we have His help at school, at home, anywhere! I think He could even comfort Ethel and Hannah during their big speech. Let’s see what’s happening.

Host

Did Rusty have great ideas for dealing with nerves?

Co-Host

He most definitely did not. It’s a good thing that Herman was there to share some truth. Let’s check out our Big Point again,

Co-Host

The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!

Host

The Holy Spirit has done that same thing since the beginning of the church. Let’s check out what the Bible says.

Co-Host

When we count down from three, help us by reading the verse.

Co-Host

That word “help” can also mean comfort. The Holy Spirit helped them grow as He gave them comfort.

Host

He was there by their side. Does anyone in here have a fear of heights? It can be pretty scary to face your phobias. Let’s try see how a lab assistant handles that fear.

Co-Host

Are you going to take us up to the top of the building?

Host

Sort of…virtually. I have a virtual reality headset, and I’m going to have our assistant put on the goggles and attempt to face his/her fear of heights. We’ll put what he/she sees in the headset on the big screen, so we can all see.

Co-Host

That’s super scary.

Host

Let’s try it again, but this time we’ll hold your hand, and you walk.

Co-Host

Was it easier this time?

Host

It’s much easier to face a scary situation with a friend than by yourself. We can’t promise that you won’t deal with some scary stuff in your life, but we do want to let you know that you don’t have to face it alone. If you have said, “Yes” to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is always with you. That’s a great reason to stand and worship God.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. Is there something that’s causing you to feel sad, frustrated, or afraid? There are lots of reasons we get sad or upset, but we don’t have to stay that way. The Holy Spirit comforts us when we feel sad or hurt. He is our Helper. The Holy Spirit works through us to help others, too. We have some adult volunteers who are standing around you guys. They’re going to pray for you as you sing. They may not know the exact thing you’re facing, but the Holy Spirit does. Together we trust that the Holy Spirit will comfort you the middle of this situation. As we stand to sing, the volunteers will begin praying for you.

Co-Host

Wow! They did it. Ethel and Hannah made it through the speech and did well enough to win over the city council.

Host

The Holy Spirit can help us through any situation. Let’s say The Big Point again,

Host

The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!

Co-Host

Can you believe how calm Stephen remained in our Big Story, even though he knew he was about to die? That’s a story you should share with your family when you do the Big Do.

Host

Herman had a fun idea for the Big Do this week. Build a blanket fort with your family, then gather underneath it and talk about how the Holy Spirit brings us comfort. Have you ever built a blanket fort? I thought it would be fun to work on one right now.

Co-Host

We’re going to bring up a team of kids and adult volunteers to try to build the biggest blanket fort ever! As they’re building it, be sure to cheer them on and give them tips for making it the best.

Host

You guys did a really great job. As you hang out in your fort this week, talk with your parents about how the Holy Spirit comforts us.

Co-Host

I’m glad I have a Helper, in any situation.

Host

Me, too. Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we have discovered about the Holy Spirit.

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.

• Why were Ethel and Hannah nervous? They had to give a speech How did they beat their nerves?

• How would you have reacted had you been in Stephen’s situation? What was his reaction?

• What does Stephen’s story teach us about how the Holy Spirit comforts us? He can make us brave and help us have peace in very difficult situations; He is always with us; He can help us pray for people who hurt us

• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Make a fort and talk about how the Holy Spirit comforts us

• Our Big Point says The Holy Spirit Is Our ______!

  • Comforter

  • Accuser

• Why were Ethel and Hannah nervous?

  • They had to give a speech

  • They had lost their blanket

• The Bible says that Stephen was full of _____.

  • The Holy Spirit

  • Pride

• How did Stephen react to being arrested?

  • He was peaceful

  • He freaked out

• Can the Holy Spirit comfort you at any time?

Yes

• Complete the Big Verse: Acts 9:31 (NIrV), “The church was strengthened and grew larger. That’s because they worshiped the Lord and the Holy Spirit _____ them.”

  • Helped

  • Hurt

• What happened to Stephen after the trial?

  • They let him go

  • They killed him

• What is a situation in which you could use the Holy Spirit’s help?

• What should a person do if they are in the middle of a scary situation?

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Make a fort and talk about how the Holy Spirit comforts us