Mentor Moms sharing spiritual truth with our children
Week One - The Presence of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Genesis 1:2
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Carri Pratt
"The work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church. . . the Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity whom the Scripture most often represents as being present to do God's work in the world." Wayne Grudem
One possible mom translation might be:
"The Holy Spirit is who God sends to earth to talk with His children and do the things He needs to be done. God told us that He would never ever leave us nor forsake us (Deut 31:6) and He gives us the Holy Spirit, when we become His, to keep forever!"
My son had the misconception that the "Holy Ghost" was a scary ghost. It is important to communicate to our children that although the term "Spirit" or "Ghost" might be used it is not a dead person returned to earth like a ghost might be portrayed in movies, The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God that strengthens and empowers Christians.
There is a debate as to whether or not the Holy Spirit is the
third member of the Trinity. However, God prophesied through Isaiah regarding His Holy Spirit:
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams
on the dry ground.
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring,
and My
blessing on your descendants.”
Isaiah 44:3
God also prophesied through the prophet Joel regarding His Holy Spirit:
“I will pour out My Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men
will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Even on My servants, both men and women,
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
Joel 2:28-29
It is important for our children to
recognize that the Bible is unique in that although it was written by many
different people, it is fully inspired by the Holy Spirit. Have one of your
children read 2 Timothy 3:16: (Click here for a free Bible Book Reference sheet)
“All Scripture is
God breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:16
God gave His power to people of the Old
Testament through His Holy Spirit. Your children may already be familiar with
the famous Bible characters of Joshua, Gideon, Samson and David.
Here are a few verses you can have them look
up in their Bibles to illustrate how God gave His power to these men: (click here for free worksheet for your children)
“Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the
Spirit of wisdom. . .” Deut 34:9
“Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon
Gideon . . . “ Judges 6:34
“(Samson) grew and the LORD blessed Him, and
the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him. . .” Judges 13:24-25
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and
annointed (David) in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the
Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.” 1 Samuel 16:13
God
also revealed important information through His Holy Spirit in the Old Testament:
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you
from among their brothers; I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell
them everything I command him.” Deut 18:18
“This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel, “Seek Me
and live.”” Amos 5:4
Highlights for Your Children:
- The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit which He pours out on His people
- The Holy Spirit is present in the world to accomplish God's will
- God empowered many people in the Old Testament
- The Bible is God breathed - it is true and we can trust in its words to us
