What happened when Jesus’ friends stopped hiding?
After Jesus went up to heaven, his friends waited in Jerusalem, as he’d told them to. On the day of Pentecost, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, little flames rested on each of them, and they spoke in languages they had never learned. A crowd from every country heard the good news in their own words. Peter, who had once hidden, stood up and preached, and about three thousand people joined them that day.
After Jesus went up to heaven, his friends waited in Jerusalem, as he’d told them to. On the day of Pentecost, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, little flames rested on each of them, and they spoke in languages they had never learned. A crowd from every country heard the good news in their own words. Peter, who had once hidden, stood up and preached, and about three thousand people joined them that day.
About 7 minutes: 4 choices and 2 ways-of-knowing stops. Kids play one of the waiting friends, a visitor in the crowd who hears their own language, and Peter deciding whether to stand up. The flames are described as Luke describes them: like fire, on each person, hurting no one.
Ages 5–11
Christians say the Holy Spirit is God, present with us now, the way Jesus was present with his friends then. You can say: the Spirit is how God is close to you today, giving courage and kindness you didn’t have on your own. Peter is the proof: same man, no longer hiding.
Acts 2 (with Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8). Fifty days after Easter, on the Jewish festival of Pentecost, the Spirit comes on about 120 believers with a sound like wind and tongues like fire; they speak in other languages, and pilgrims from fifteen regions hear them. Some mock. Peter preaches (2:14–36): Jesus of Nazareth, crucified, raised by God, now Lord and Messiah. The crowd asks what to do; Peter says repent and be baptized; about three thousand are. Verses 42–47 describe the first church sharing everything. Many churches call this the church’s birthday.