The Pentecost Language App – May 22, 2024
Read: Acts 2:1-21
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:3,4
The Pentecost Language App
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
There are phone apps that allow you to translate a phrase from your language into another language. It’s pretty amazing technology. Maybe your parent can let you try it sometime!
The Holy Spirit knows something about translating languages, too. Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and help them spread the word about Jesus to all nations. They didn’t know how or when it would happen. Today’s Bible reading describes a festival called Pentecost. “Pentecost” was a festival that was being celebrated in Jerusalem that weekend. People from all over the world were in the city for this festival. That’s when something incredible happened. Imagine what looks like little tongues of fire landing on the heads of Jesus’ disciples! “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak” in different languages. It was an amazing miracle!
Why did God choose that miracle on that day and in that way? It has something to do with God’s end goal for all people—to hear the message about Jesus, come to faith, and be saved. People from all over the world heard the disciples share the message about Jesus. They were all in the right place at the right time.
How could people speaking different languages from all over the world understand each other? The Holy Spirit made sure they would hear and could understand the message about Jesus as their Savior. Those people, in turn, would carry that message back home to even more people, and the Gospel would spread.
What is the end goal of a phone app that takes words from one language and changes them into another? It’s to create understanding. That is why God gives the Holy Spirit. He wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). The Holy Spirit continues to create understanding for us whenever we speak with people about Jesus. He will bless any words we speak and work in the hearts of those who listen. God began building his family of believers at Pentecost, and he continues to do so today.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace that wants all people in the world to hear and understand your saving message. Send your Holy Spirit to us so we can speak words that help people understand your saving grace. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- What is God’s goal for all people?
- What do people need to believe in Jesus?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- How did God make it possible for so many people from all over the world to hear the message about Jesus at Pentecost?
- When you feel confused about something in God’s Word, what can you ask the Holy Spirit to do?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- What comfort is it for you to know that the Holy Spirit can help you understand God’s Word?
- What comfort is it for you to know that the Holy Spirit is at work whenever you speak God’s Word to someone else?
