Lesson 19

HOLY GHOST

Objective: To understand that after we are baptized we receive the Holy Ghost, which acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from sins.

Lesson ideas:

* The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, a personage of Spirit.

* The Holy Ghost is referred to as the comforter.  He also testifies of truth, is a revelator and a sanctifier.

* John the Baptist talks about being baptized with water but that someone greater than himself will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Matthew 3: 11)

* The Holy Ghost descended on Christ in the form of a dove. (Mark 1:10)

* Be still and know that I am God (Psalms 46: 10).   Give yourself some quiet time to ponder and meditate, and to contemplate the deeper things of life.  This quiet time helps to keep us closer to the spirit and the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

* Elijah: didn’t hear it in the great strong wind, neither in the earthquake or fire – but heard it through a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

* The lesson we learn from Jesus being baptized and the Holy Ghost descending on him in the form of a dove is a very important part for us to learn while we are here on earth so we can be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.

* Baptism is a repentance process for us. It is a time to repent and forsake our sins. Baptism in water is the introductory ordinance of the gospel and must be followed by baptism of the spirit in order to be complete.

Scriptures:

Bible

John 3:5 except a man be born of water and of the spirit

Matthew 3:11 baptize you with H.G.

Matthew 3: 13-17 Jesus’s baptism

Mark 1:10 Spirit like a dove

LDS Scriptures

3 Nephi 18:11 those who repent and are baptized…have my spirit to be with you

2 Nephi 31:8 Holy Ghost...form of a dove

D&C 82:10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye

                                                                                                                                               

Activities:

* List some words to describe the Holy Ghost (comforter, member of the Godhead, still small voice).

* Whisper: talk soft.  Sometimes the whisper is a small voice inside us.

* Comforter: bring out a blanket; the comforter gives the sense of comfort. You could also put a comforter in a bag and guess what is in the bag.

* Fill in the blank:

1. The Holy Ghost can be a constant __________________(companion). (D&C 121: 46)

2. The Holy Ghost is a witness of the Father and _________(Son). (2 Nephi 31: 18)

3. The Holy Ghost does not have a body of flesh and ________(bones) but a personage of ______(Spirit). (D&C 130: 22)

4. The Holy Ghost descended like a ______(Dove) when Jesus was baptized. (John 1:32)

5. By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the _________(Truth) of all things. (Moroni 10: 5)

           

* Have a little box with these items in it –

1. Piece of Material - to represent the comforter

2. The word Truth - to show the Holy Ghost will testify truths.

3. Picture of an Ear – to remind us to listen to the Still Small Voice

4. Picture of a Heart or even a heart shaped charm or pendant – to help us understand that the Holy Ghost speaks to our heart and we can feel of its truth.

5. Picture of a Mouth – the Holy Ghost will speak to you in a still small voice.

6. Small Diploma – the Holy Ghost is a teacher.  As you study the scriptures and listen to your teachers, the Holy Ghost will help you understand and know the truth.

7. Candle – The Holy Ghost is like a candle to light the path of righteousness for us to follow.

* List some things that happen when we choose to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost

1. We repent, show faith in Christ, choose to be obedient, take upon his name, enter into a covenant, remember Christ, and bear one another’s burdens and serve.

2. Baptism: Look at a clean dish and a dirty dish.  Which would you eat off of?

Repentance is a way to keep us spiritually clean.  Sometimes we need to go to our spiritual leaders for big repentance issues.

* Quilted Northern bath tissue uses a motto “Strength you can count on.”  The Holy Ghost also is a strength you can count on.   Have an arm wrestle to understand what strength is and know the Holy Ghost is an even stronger strength that you can count on.

* Say Poem -  Choo, Choo, the Big Train.  Reminding us that we need to sometimes Stop, Look and Listen to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

          Choo, Choo The Big Train

          Choo, Choo the big train is coming down the track now

          Choo, Choo the big train is coming down the track

          Stop, Look and Listen

          Stop, Look and Listen

          Choo, Choo the big train is coming down the track.

* Be teachable – Do something new with clay, paint, dance or a new game.  Or with the song “Do As I’m Doing” (page 276), hop on one foot, rub stomach etc. to be teachable.

* A gate activity: Have cards that say:

          Repentance                                                   

          Baptism                                                          

          Receive Holy Ghost   

          Keep the commandments

          Endure to the End

Have a card for each person in a scrambled up pile on the floor.  Have everyone go through the cards when they have collected one of each of the cards they can be presented to the gate keeper.  The gate keeper then makes sure he or she has all five cards and then will be permitted to pass through the gate.

*Play word game.

Word game:  Divide into two teams.  Pass out words face down so no one sees the word at first.  Choose someone to start and pick one of the words.  That person then gives clues without saying the word on the card and does it in less than one minute.  Examples of words might be; resurrection, baptized, scriptures, prophet, or prayer.

Songs:

Hymns

# 182 We’ll Sing All Hail to Jesus’ Name

# 116 Come Follow Me

# 179 Again Our Dear Redeeming Lord

Children’s Songbook

# 5  I Know My Father Lives

# 106 The Still Small Voice

# 105 The Holy Ghost

Treat:

Dove candy bar or dove shaped mints like for wedding candy.