Ascension of Jesus Christ episode description
After Jesus rose from the dead, his friends and followers were overjoyed to see him again. He spent time eating with them, speaking with them, and even teaching them. One day he told them it was time for him to ascend back into heaven, but before he left, he made a special promise to them, a promise that is still true for believers to this day.
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Ascension of Jesus Christ Sunday school lesson guide
The following content is designed to assist with lesson planning and discussion.
What does “ascension” mean?
You may have heard the word “ascension” before, especially around the Easter/Resurrection Sunday holiday. The word ascension comes from the word “ascend,” which means to climb or to go up. The ascension of Jesus Christ means the “going up” of Jesus Christ. But where was he going up to?
Heaven.
We know that Jesus existed in heaven before he was born here on earth, and after Jesus’ death and resurrection, he went back to heaven which is where he is to this day. When you hear people saying, “the ascension of Jesus Christ,” they’re talking about the moment Jesus rose back into heaven right in front of his followers. They watched Jesus go up and return to heaven.
What is the “Father’s promise?”
In His final words to His followers, Jesus instructed them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the Father’s promise. He told them that they would soon be baptized, not by water but by the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit is the promise that Jesus was referring to.
Although Jesus was leaving, He wanted His followers to know that they would not be alone. God was sending the Holy Spirit to guide, instruct, and empower them. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit would equip Jesus’ followers with the ability to share the life-giving message of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (CSB)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not just a mere thing or an idea, but rather, God himself. After Jesus ascended back into heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell among us, to all those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God, who died to forgive our sins.
The Book of Acts is not the first time we hear about God’s Spirit. In fact, we first hear about God’s Spirit in the second sentence of the Bible, where it tells us that when God created the world, His Spirit hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2). And now, the Holy Spirit dwells among us. He is God, God’s promise, and God himself, guiding and instructing us, and making His home among us.
How did Jesus’ followers feel in this story?
Take a moment to think about what Jesus’ followers must have felt when they saw Jesus ascend back into heaven. Imagine you were one of Jesus’ followers while he was living on earth. One day he dies, three days later he rises back to life, and now forty days later you watch him go up into heaven. How would you have felt?
Confused? Scared? Nervous? Amazed?
Probably all of those feelings and more! So what do you think it meant to them to know God was sending the Holy Spirit to be with them?
Takeaway
The Book of Acts is the story of the early Christians sharing the message of Jesus Christ. In the story of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, we learn that Jesus’ followers were asked to be His messengers to the ends of the earth. After Jesus’ ascension, God promised to send Jesus’ followers a helper, the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself, to empower and guide them as they share the life-giving message of Jesus throughout the world. This promise is for all believers, including you and me. The Holy Spirit dwells among us.
About the Craft Stick Bible Stories for Kids
The Craft Stick Bible Stories for Kids series tells the stories of the Bible in the craftiest way possible! Each episode is set in a craft world made of cardboard, paper, and glue, and the characters are craft stick puppets. The stories remain faithful to the Scriptures and combine playful humor and scene-setting music throughout, ensuring that children are engaged and entertained from beginning to end.
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