Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Supplies needed: pitcher of water, 5 paper cups prepared the following ways (1st cup turned upside down, 2nd cup has dirt, trash, and mud in it, 3rd cup has hole in the bottom, 4th cup is cut in half length wise with the cup side turned toward the children, 5th cup is right side up), bowl to catch water
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a free gift that God wants to give His children, but there are ways to prepare to receive this free gift.
(pour water in the first cup) This represents a child who has not asked Jesus Christ into His heart. Since he doesn’t know Christ as his Savior, he can’t receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
(show children the inside of the second cup) This child can’t receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit because he has sin in his life. He needs to confess his sin to God and ask God to forgive him before he receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
(pour water in the third cup) This child is saved and has been forgiven of his sin, but he can’t receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit because he doesn’t have faith that God will fill Him. Maybe he thinks he’s too young or not good enough. Or maybe he believes that God only wants to fill people like the preacher and the children’s pastor.
(pour water in the fourth cup) This child can’t receive the Holy Spirit because he hasn’t surrendered himself completely to God. Once he does that, he can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
(pour water into the fifth cup until it overflows) God wants to fill you with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Lead the children in a prayer that addresses each of the children represented by the different cups.