Aim

To appreciate the images used to represent the Holy Spirit. To begin to think about themselves symbolically.

Preparation

Before the lesson obtain necessary objects for game. Photocopy one worksheet for each group.

Lesson

Begin lesson by reminding the children that they are going to spend the whole of this term learning about one person. They are going to find out as much as they can about him, for example, who he is, what he's like, what he does.

In order to find out what someone is like, they need to think again about what they are like. Another way to do this is by playing the game "If I was a..."

Sit in a circle and pass around a range of objects, for example, a toy car, a cuddly toy animal, a piece of fruit. Inform the children that when it is their turn, they are to say,

"If I was a car, I would be a (whatever type of car suits their personality)".

Once the children are familiar with the procedure, encourage them to say a little more about their choices. For example,

"If I was a fruit, I'd be an orange with a thick skin and plenty of juice inside."

With the final object, encourage them to use the words,

"I'm a (type of animal) and I'm (qualities of chosen animal.)"

For example,

"I'm a lion and I'm strong, brave and fast."

Now ask the children to try to imagine what they would be like if they were something different, for example, a flower, a piece of clothing, a building. Ask them to write/draw about the things they have chosen. From their group of objects, ask them to choose one to share with the rest of the class.

Following discussion, remind the children that the person they are going to be learning about this term is the Holy Spirit. Can any of the children remember anything about Him from the previous lesson?

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is both Himself and at the same time, He is God, and, as Jesus is God, He is also the Holy Spirit.

In order to understand this idea, Christians find it useful to consider ice, steam and water. They are all different but they are all the same.

In the same way, the Bible teaches Christians what the Holy Spirit is like by using pictures. The three pictures which the Bible uses are those of water, fire (light) and air (wind/breath).

Activity

Using the worksheet, the children, in groups, are to consider the properties of these three elements. Some of the adjectives they might consider using are:

unpredictable,
difficult to control,
destructive,
dangerous,
life-giving,
essential,
powerful,
warming,
mysterious,
invisible,
exciting.

As a class discuss the responses given. What all three elements also have in common is that they are all forces of change.

Conclusion

Conclude lesson by discussing with the children how the process of change which they began last week is developing.