--- title: "Let's Get Clear on the Holy Spirit" author: "Pastor Jeff Wickwire" url: "https://books.hardwired.org/29/let-s-get-clear-on-the-holy-spirit" --- Family Devotion 1: Understanding the Holy Spirit Theme: Who is the Holy Spirit? Suggested Time: Dinner time Activity: During dinner, ask each family member to share what they know about the Holy Spirit. Use a simple analogy like the wind to explain the Holy Spirit's presence: you can't see the wind, but you can feel it and see its effects, just like the Holy Spirit. Discussion Questions:Who is the Holy Spirit? How do you think the Holy Spirit helps us in our daily lives? Can you think of a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you?Parenting Tip: Encourage open-ended answers and affirm each child's contribution. Use this time to gently correct any misconceptions and emphasize that the Holy Spirit is God and is always with us. Family Devotion 2: The Power of the Holy Spirit Theme: The Holy Spirit gives us power Suggested Time: During a family walk or playtime Activity: As you walk or play, talk about how the Holy Spirit gives us power to do things we can't do on our own, like being kind when it's hard or telling others about Jesus. Discussion Questions:What are some things you find hard to do on your own? How can the Holy Spirit help you with those things? Can you think of a Bible story where someone was helped by the Holy Spirit?Parenting Tip: Use examples from your own life to illustrate how the Holy Spirit has helped you. Encourage your children to rely on the Holy Spirit in their own challenges. Family Devotion 3: The Holy Spirit as Our Guide Theme: The Holy Spirit guides us Suggested Time: Bedtime Activity: Before bed, have each child share one decision they made today. Discuss how the Holy Spirit can guide us in making good choices. Discussion Questions:What decision did you make today that you’re proud of? How do you think the Holy Spirit can help us make decisions? What is one decision you need help with tomorrow?Parenting Tip: Reinforce that the Holy Spirit is like a GPS for our lives, guiding us to make the right choices. Pray together, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your family. Family Devotion 4: The Holy Spirit Helps Us Overcome Theme: Overcoming challenges with the Holy Spirit Suggested Time: During chores or cleaning Activity: While doing chores, talk about how the Holy Spirit helps us overcome challenges, just like we overcome the mess in our house. Discussion Questions:What is something you find challenging? How can the Holy Spirit help you overcome that challenge? Can you think of a time when you overcame something difficult?Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach perseverance and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Celebrate small victories and encourage your children to ask the Holy Spirit for help. Family Devotion 5: The Holy Spirit Glorifies Jesus Theme: The Holy Spirit helps us glorify Jesus Suggested Time: Breakfast or morning routine Activity: As you start the day, discuss how the Holy Spirit helps us show Jesus to others through our actions and words. Discussion Questions:How can we show Jesus to others today? What are some ways the Holy Spirit can help us do that? Who is someone you can tell about Jesus today?Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to think of practical ways to glorify Jesus in their daily interactions. Pray together, asking the Holy Spirit to help your family be a light to others. Overall Parenting Tip: Keep the atmosphere relaxed and open. Encourage your children to ask questions and express their thoughts freely. Use these devotions as opportunities to grow together as a family in understanding and experiencing the Holy Spirit. Family Devotion 1: The Holy Spirit is Our Helper Theme: Understanding the Holy Spirit as a person and helper. Suggested Time: During dinner or breakfast. Activity: "Holy Spirit Helper" Role Play Instructions:Introduction: Begin by explaining that the Holy Spirit is not a mist or a force, but a person who helps us. Ask the kids if they know what a helper does. Role Play: Have each family member take turns acting out a scenario where they need help (e.g., tying a shoe, carrying something heavy). Another family member plays the role of the helper. Discussion: After each role play, discuss how the Holy Spirit helps us in our lives, like guiding us, comforting us, and helping us make good choices. Prayer: Close with a prayer thanking God for the Holy Spirit and asking for His help in our daily lives.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think of times when they felt helped by God. Share a personal story to make it relatable. Family Devotion 2: Regeneration – Becoming New Theme: Understanding regeneration and being born again. Suggested Time: During a car ride or walk. Activity: "New Creation" Nature Walk Instructions:Introduction: Explain that when we believe in Jesus, we become a new creation, just like how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Nature Walk: Go for a walk and look for examples of new life (e.g., flowers, baby animals, new leaves). Discussion: Talk about how these examples remind us of the new life we have in Jesus. Ask the kids how they feel knowing they are a new creation. Prayer: Thank God for making us new and ask Him to help us grow in our faith.Parenting Tip: Use simple language and examples to explain complex concepts like regeneration. Encourage questions and curiosity. Family Devotion 3: Renewal – Growing in Christ Theme: The ongoing process of renewal in our minds. Suggested Time: While doing chores together. Activity: "Mind Renewal" Clean-Up Instructions:Introduction: Explain that just like we clean our rooms, God helps us clean our minds and hearts to be more like Jesus. Clean-Up Activity: As you clean, talk about how God helps us get rid of "messy" thoughts and habits. Discussion: Ask the kids what kind of "messy" thoughts they want God to help them clean up. Share your own examples. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to renew your minds and help you think like Jesus.Parenting Tip: Make the activity fun and engaging. Use it as an opportunity to teach about spiritual growth in a practical way. Family Devotion 4: The Power of the Holy Spirit Theme: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live for Jesus. Suggested Time: Before bedtime. Activity: "Power Up" Storytime Instructions:Introduction: Share a story from the Bible where the Holy Spirit empowered someone (e.g., David and Goliath, Peter at Pentecost). Discussion: Talk about how the Holy Spirit gives us power to do things we can't do on our own. Activity: Have each child share something they need God's power to help them with. Prayer: Pray for the Holy Spirit's power in each of your lives.Parenting Tip: Use bedtime as a calm and reflective time to discuss spiritual truths. Encourage your kids to rely on God's power daily. Family Devotion 5: Living as a New Creation Theme: Living out our new identity in Christ. Suggested Time: During a family meal. Activity: "New Creation" Art Instructions:Introduction: Talk about how being a new creation means we live differently, with love, kindness, and patience. Art Activity: Provide paper and crayons. Have each child draw a picture of what it means to be a new creation in Christ. Discussion: Share the drawings and discuss how each picture represents living for Jesus. Prayer: Thank God for making us new and ask for His help to live out our new identity.Parenting Tip: Encourage creativity and expression. Use this time to affirm your children's understanding and growth in their faith. Family Devotion 1: The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Lives Theme: Understanding the Holy Spirit's influence Activity Time: Dinner time discussion Supplies Needed: None Devotion:Introduction: Begin by asking, "Who helps us know Jesus better?" Explain that the Holy Spirit is like a helper who guides us to understand Jesus and helps us make good choices. Bible Verse: Read John 16:13 - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth." Discussion: Ask, "How do you think the Holy Spirit helps us in our daily lives?" Encourage kids to share times they felt helped or guided. Prayer: Pray together, thanking God for the Holy Spirit and asking for guidance in everyday decisions.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance, like a gentle whisper, throughout their day. Family Devotion 2: The Whisper of the Holy Spirit Theme: Recognizing the Holy Spirit's voice Activity Time: Bedtime reflection Supplies Needed: None Devotion:Introduction: Share a story about a time you felt a gentle nudge to do something kind or helpful. Bible Verse: Read 1 Kings 19:12 - "And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." Discussion: Ask, "Have you ever felt a little nudge to do something good? What was it?" Prayer: Pray for open hearts to hear the Holy Spirit's whispers.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to share their experiences of feeling guided by the Holy Spirit, even in small ways. Family Devotion 3: The Holy Spirit as Our Guide Theme: Following the Holy Spirit's guidance Activity Time: During a family walk or drive Supplies Needed: None Devotion:Introduction: Talk about how a GPS helps us find our way. The Holy Spirit is like a GPS for our hearts. Bible Verse: Read Romans 8:14 - "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Discussion: Ask, "How can we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives?" Prayer: Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your family in making good choices.Parenting Tip: Use everyday situations to point out how the Holy Spirit might be guiding your family. Family Devotion 4: The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit Theme: The Holy Spirit changes us Activity Time: During a family chore time Supplies Needed: None Devotion:Introduction: As you clean, talk about how the Holy Spirit helps clean our hearts and make us more like Jesus. Bible Verse: Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." Discussion: Ask, "What are some ways we can become more like Jesus?" Prayer: Pray for the Holy Spirit to help your family grow in love and kindness.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of ways they can show Jesus' love in their daily actions. Family Devotion 5: The Holy Spirit and Our Mission Theme: Being used by the Holy Spirit Activity Time: Family game night Supplies Needed: None Devotion:Introduction: Talk about how the Holy Spirit gives us special jobs to do, like being kind or helping others. Bible Verse: Read Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Discussion: Ask, "What special job do you think the Holy Spirit might have for you?" Prayer: Pray for the Holy Spirit to show each family member how they can serve others.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of small ways they can be a blessing to others, guided by the Holy Spirit.