Pentecost Pack

A Journey to Pentecost

Welcome to your Pentecost journey!

What happened after Easter? What did Jesus do next? Who did he meet? And where do you fit into God’s amazing story?
Come on a 7-story journey with us, to see what happens between Easter and Pentecost.

Each day, we will:

Look up! to see what God has to say
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
Look out! to see how we share this story with others

Get ready!

Make an Easter Tree
To prepare for your journey to Pentecost, find a branch or stick to make your own Easter tree. You might want to ask for permission before you trim a random tree in your neighbourhood! Place it in a vase with water. Find a good place at home that everyone will be able to see it each day.

You might want to add your own decorations to your tree - so be as creative as you can!

Make your ornaments
Each pack contains 8 wooden oraments, string and stickers. Match the stickers up so you have a front and back, peel and stick them onto a wooden disc. Thread the string through and tie a knot.

Print out large versions
If you want to print out large versions of the ornamnets, you can download this file and print them on A3 or larger. There is a circle line to guide your trimming. We found wooden circles at Spotlight for $4 each and made bigger versions for our display.
Download Pentecost A3 printable pdf

Day 1: Road to Emmaus

Story: Luke 24:13-35

Look up! When things are tough, it can be hard to see where God is. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, perhaps God has been with us the whole time - we just haven’t realised that he is walking with us, even with our confusion and questions. Think about a tough day you have had, and where God might have been in it.
Look in! The disciples were walking along the road together, talking, questioning, thinking. It’s good to have friends to talk to, to share your worries and thoughts with. Go for a walk with a good friend this week, and check in with them to see how they are doing.
Look out! When they realised they had been walking with Jesus, the 2 disciples went to tell their friends. Tell a friend that you are going on a ‘journey to Pentecost’ and invite them to join you.

Day 2: The Upper Room

Story: John 20:19–23, and the Jesus Storybook Bible p. 318-321

Look up! ‘Peace be with you!’ Jesus says this to his friends twice, so it must have been really important! God’s peace can calm, reassure and comfort us when we are fearful. If you are worried about something, ask God for His peace.
Look in! Do you hold grudges? Jesus talked about forgiveness, and how the Holy Spirit can help us forgive others. If you need help to forgive someone for hurting you, ask God to show you how.
Look out! When we worry about something, we can feel like the disciples – stuck (in a locked room!) and scared. God’s peace changed the minds of the disciples, and they were ‘overjoyed.’ Pray for a friend who is worried and ask God to send them His peace.

Day 3: Doubting Thomas

Story: John 20:24–29

Look up! Even though he was one of Jesus’ closest friends, Thomas had big doubts and questions about whether Jesus was really alive again. God is not disappointed by our questions or doubts! Write down any questions you have about God, and find someone to talk to about them.
Look in! Even though Thomas didn’t believe the other disciples were telling the truth, they still remained his friend. We can disagree with people, and still love them. Pray for someone you have disagreed with recently.
Look out! Thomas’ friends showed they could be trusted, by telling him the truth about Jesus. Being a trustworthy and honest friend can show others what God is like. How can you be a trustworthy friend this week?

Day 4: BBQ on the beach

Story: John 21:1–14

Look up! When the fishermen couldn’t catch their usual catch of fish, Jesus asked them to try fishing a different way. Stepping out in faith, and trying something new, can be daunting – but we can trust our good, loving God. How can you step out of your comfort zone this week and do something different?
Look in! The fishermen in the boat worked together to pull up the nets of big, heavy fish. Think about how you can work together with your friends this week, sharing the load. It can be fun, hard work – but rewarding!
Look out! When Jesus spent time with his friends, it often included kai! How can we share generous hospitality (manaakitanga) with others this week? Who can you offer a drink, a biscuit, or share lunch with?

Day 5: Jesus and Peter

Story: John 21:15–25

Look up! Do you ask lots of questions? People asked Jesus questions all the time, but one day, He asked Peter a question three times - “Do you love me?” he said. If Jesus asked you that today, how would you answer him?
Look in! Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him three times - the same number of times Peter had let him down (John 18). Being a good friend to others means we love and stand up for them, even when it is tough. Who needs your support this week?
Look out! “Follow me!” Says Jesus. God won’t ask us to go anywhere He hasn’t gone before. This can include new friendships, new schools, new jobs. Where do you need to ‘follow’ Jesus to, this week?

Day 6: Ascension

Story: Jesus goes up to heaven, Acts 1:1-11 and the Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 322-325

Look up! After 40 days with his friends, Jesus left earth to be with his Father in heaven. He promised to send us a helper, the Holy Spirit, to help us share God’s love and His story. Ask God for help doing that this week!
Look in! God’s Spirit is for everyone - no rules or restrictions! Draw or doodle some prayer words of how this makes you feel.
Look out! Tell someone about your ‘Journey to Pentecost’ adventure so far. Which story have you enjoyed the most?

Prayer idea - Ascension Bubbles

Day 7: Pentecost

Story: Acts 2:1–13, and the Jesus Storybook Bible: God sends help, p. 326-332

Look up! God sent his Holy Spirit in a surprising and amazing way! Flickering fire, and people speaking in different languages! How would you have felt to be there, too?
Look in! Jesus’ friends were together in the room. We don’t need to do this journey to Pentecost alone, either. God’s church is for everyone - all shapes, sizes, ages! Try and find a good faith-filled-friend to talk to about God.
Look out! People in today’s story were confused by what was happening! Today, people may be confused about Christians, too. If your friends have questions about God or the church, ask God for the right words to talk with them.

Other ideas
We have some great Pentecost ideas and resources on our Strandz Pentecost page

The Bible Project is a non-profit creative organisation that makes great videos, tracing a Biblical theme throughout the Bible. This one on the Holy Spirit might be best suited for older kids/youth and adults, as the language is quite complicated, but have a look and see for yourself!

Day 8: You!

Story: Jeremiah 29:11–13

Look up! “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” What plans and dreams do you have for your life? Write God a letter and ask him to show you His good plans for your life, too!
Look in! No matter what we have done in the past, God has a special plan for each one of us! God can use us to achieve great things for him. Encourage a friend to be the best version of themselves this week, and trust that God has good things for them too.
Look out! “I have loved you with an everlasting love” says God. How can you share this message of love with someone this week?