Detectives of Divinity
It’s Pentecost! This is a special day that is celebrated more fully in some other cultures than in North America. It’s the day when we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming to us. The Holy Spirit is really hard for all of us to understand, but such an important part of living our faith. Take a day to celebrate Pentecost, to celebrate the Holy Spirit that breathes in us and moves among us, prompting us to do the work of God. We talk about the Holy Spirit as the part of God that makes things happen - we can’t see the Holy Spirit, but we can see her work (yes, this is the feminine side of God). Looking for signs of the Spirit is detective work! For ideas in addition to the ones below, look at Pentecost.
Read It
Acts 2: 1-4; 43-47
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds[j] to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home[k]and ate their food with glad and generous[l] hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds[j] to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home[k]and ate their food with glad and generous[l] hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Do It
Detectives of Divinity Walk: Pack a detective bag. Some things you might include are a magnifying glass, binoculars, camera, snack, water bottle. Then go to a place filled with nature. As you walk together, look for signs of God’s activity, signs of the Holy Spirit at work. It’s spring, so it’s not hard to find new life! If you want to take it farther, make a collage out of things you found or create a book out of pictures you took.
Bonus idea: New art for your wall! Follow these instructions for salad spinner art. We did this last year, and our boys loved it. We sewed our plates together into a wall hanging and hung it up until Advent.
Bonus idea: New art for your wall! Follow these instructions for salad spinner art. We did this last year, and our boys loved it. We sewed our plates together into a wall hanging and hung it up until Advent.
Pray It
God, thank you for your Holy Spirit! You are everywhere, and we are so glad. We see your work in nature, in people, and we know that you are in us, too. Help us do what you prompt us to do. In your name, Amen.
Sing It
"Detectives of Divinity"
New World Coming by Bryan Moyer Suderman, track 15
New World Coming by Bryan Moyer Suderman, track 15
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This year’s faith practices go with songs from the CD “New World Coming,” by Bryan Moyer Suderman. They work well on their own, but if you want a bonus for your family’s experience, buy a CD to listen to for the year.
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