Year 4 Pentecost
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Year 4: Some possible Outcomes: Pentecost
Level 2
Retell (this is normally a recap) the story of Pentecost. AT1i
Describe some of the symbols used in paintings to describe Pentecost AT1ii
Ask and respond to questions about how the disciples were feeling before and after the
Pentecost event. AT2i
Describe some ways the disciples lived out their faith after Pentecost. AT1iii
Level 3
Make links between the St Paul’s letter to the Colossians and the qualities needed to witness
to Jesus. AT1i
Explain and give reasons for the use of the particular symbols of the Spirit in the Pentecost
Story. AT1ii
Make links between Christians belief in Pentecost and their behaviour AT2 i
Compare their own and other peoples’ ideas about how Christians should witness to the
presence of God in their lives. AT2 ii
Level 4
Show understanding of how the beliefs of the artists in Pentecost shaped their work AT1 I &
iii
Show an understanding of how St Francis lived out their faith in the light of Pentecost AT2i
(Or an alternate person)
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Possible Additional Tasks for Year 4 Pentecost
Engage

Read the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts Ch2
Remind the Pupils
a) this account was written by Luke who also wrote one of the Gospels. He is
recounting what happened to the followers of Jesus after Jesus rose from the dead.
Although this is a historical account Luke wasn’t just giving the facts. He was trying
to say how people felt and how they felt this event changed them. No one can really
describe what happens when the Spirit comes, so Luke uses symbols and similes to
try and describe the Spirit and its effects.
b) You may need to recap what has happened before.
c) When you read the account you need to say why they were all together. They were
there to celebrate the Jewish feast of Pentecost or Shavu’ot. (See background
notes) After the event Christians took over the name. ( L2AT1i)
 Look at the YouTube clip on Pentecost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOm1DMZJITs
Ask questions like why is it told in this way? (Fast paced etc, trying to convey a sense of
anticipation? Excitement? Something going on that can’t be fully explained?) Does this
version differ from the text? Do they like this way of showing the story?
 Having looked at the text what questions do they have? (L2 At21&ii)
Explore
a) Role play the coming of the Holy Spirit trying to convey
a) the mood of people beforehand
b) their reactions when the Spirit comes
c) the difference it made in them
Include possible conversations/expressions etc. A key word here is transformation.
After the coming of the Holy Spirit they were different in the role play they should try
to express how. (L3At1iii & At2i)
b) Use the images of Pentecost. (Power Point) Ask the pupils to say if they think they are
powerful images, if they convey a sense of what is going on. The images are from
different cultures around the world and different times. Now the disciples were Jewish
from Palestine so by setting the scene in different countries what are the artists trying
to say? Which image do they think best conveys the event? Draw their interpretation
of the events. L3 At1ii & L3 At1iii)
c) Extension for those working at Level 3 and beyond) Use the PowerPoint Electricity.
(Note you will need to download the Elton John Song Electricity to play with the
PowerPoint. This song also has the line in ‘as mad as hell you will need to make
your own judgement about if this is suitable for your pupils It is possible to use first
verse only or if you are just printing words you could replace line). Why is this song
used to express the coming of the Holy Spirit? (Talks about something that can’t be
fully expressed in words but completely changes you, tries to express the feelings that
go with it, uses similes etc.). The pupils could then choose their own music to express
the coming of the Spirit and design their own Power Point
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Express
d) Look at Peter’s Speech immediately after Pentecost. (Use the adapted version if you
think it is more appropriate.) What key points does Peter make about Jesus and the
Spirit? How does this speech include people today? (Spirit is for all, including those
far away, Jesus is raised from the dead, we need to ask forgiveness for the things we
do wrong etc). If you were Peter going out to talk to the crowds what would you want
to say about Jesus. Assume that you are one of the disciples going out to another
group of people write your speech. Include the following (L3 At1iii& At2i also
AT1i either L3 or L4 depending on response)
 1) What has happened? Why are you no longer afraid? Tell them Jesus said this
would happen?(look up Mark Ch9 V31-32 and John 14 V26)
 2) Now tell the crowd about Jesus, use your knowledge of the Gospels to try and
say what Jesus was like.
 3) Finally tell the crowd what they need to do and how they need to live from now
on. To help you do this part of the speech also include the qualities St Paul tells
us we should have in Colossians Ch 3 v12-17.
e) Read Acts Ch2 V42-47. How did the disciples live after the Pentecost event?
Highlight key ways of living. Is it possible to live in this way today? (L3At 1iii& At2)
f) Invite your Parish Priest in (or a member of a religious community and ask them to
explain how they try to live in the way the disciples did and to show the qualities St
Paul says we should have. L3 or L4 At1iii &At2i
g) Using the Acts Ch2 V42-47 and St Paul to the Colossians Ch 3 V12-17 produce a
collage of the qualities we need to be Witnesses to Jesus . L3 or L4 At1iii &At2i
h) Extension: Our Pope has chosen the name Francis. Look at the life of St Francis of
Assisi. How does Francis show the qualities needed to be a witness to Jesus. How
does he follow the example of the disciples? Is it possible to live in this way as a
Christian today? L3 or L4 At1iii &At2i&ii)
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Peter’s Speech (adapted)
Then Peter stood up with the eleven and addressed the crowds in a loud voice
“Listen everyone these men are not drunk it is only the third hour of the day.
Don’t you remember what the prophet Joel said, he told us that God said, I will
pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Even on slaves, men and women shall I
pour out my Spirit.”
“Listen to what I am going to tell you. Jesus the Nazarene was a man sent by
God. You know that when he was among you he worked miracles; he gave
signs and showed us how to live. God worked through him. You took him and
had him crucified and killed. But God raised him to life. People you know that
David our king in days gone by is dead and buried, we can still see his tomb,
but David knew that Christ would come and that death would not hold him. He
knew that Christ would be resurrected. Well God has raised Jesus from the dead
and we are all witnesses to this, Jesus has been raised from the dead and has
received the Holy Spirit from God. What you see and hear is the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit in us. For this reason you can be certain that this Jesus whom
you crucified is the Christ.”
The whole crowd were moved by Peter’s words and said to Peter and the others,
“what should we do” Peter told them, “you must repent and be baptised in the
name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and then you too will receive the
Holy Spirit. This promise that was made is for you and your children and for all
those far away and for all those the Lord is calling to himself”
The people accepted what Peter said and were baptised. That day about 3000
people were added to their number.
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