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Spirit
The Spirit in the Old Testament Many people think that God really isn’t involved in the world; he simply lets things happen. Some see God as a watchmaker who winds up the world and then steps aside and lets it tick away. The Bible tells a completely different story. It says that from the beginning of creation, the Spirit of God formed the earth and all its surroundings, and that God will always be with us. In the Old Testament, the word for “spirit” is the Hebrew word ruah, which can be translated as “wind” or “breath.” God’s action in creation is described in the Book of Genesis: God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was a shapeless wasteland, and the heavens were covered with darkness. A mighty wind swept across the waters. (Genesis 1:1–2) God formed the first man out of the clay of the ground and breathed into him the Spirit of Life. (Genesis 2:7) The Spirit of God is with his people throughout the Old Testament. With the help of God’s Spirit, Moses leads the Hebrew people out of Egypt to freedom. As the Hebrew community grows, God gives his Spirit to the community’s leaders. (Numbers 11:17,25)
The Spirit in the New Testament In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit comes to Mary as she answers the call to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) The Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove at Jesus’ baptism. (Matthew 3:16–17) Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert to pray. (Luke 4:1–2) And Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah
that the Spirit is upon him as he begins his ministry. (Luke 4:16–21) After Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, the Holy Spirit comes on Pentecost. The Spirit fills the disciples with grace and gives them the courage to proclaim Jesus to the world. (Acts of the Apostles 2:1–4)
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The Spirit in the World Today
The Spirit in the Old Testament
The gift of God that helps us live as he wants us to live is called grace. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the grace we receive in Baptism. It seals, or confirms, this grace through the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
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Bring in bottles of bubble solution and bubble wands. Invite volunteers to blow bubbles. Ask: What causes the bubbles to form once we have the soap and bubble wand? (our breath) Explain that while we cannot usually see our breath, we can see evidence of its effects. Discuss recognizing evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in the world and in our lives.
PDF 1B: Litany of the Holy Spirit Go online to www.loyolapress .com/confirmation for PDF 1B. Distribute photocopies of this PDF and lead young people in praying the litany.
Holy Spirit changed Jesus’ disciples from being afraid of sharing Jesus’ teachings with others to being courageous witnesses of his life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. God’s Spirit was present in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible, and the Holy Spirit is with us today. The Spirit gives us the strength, courage, and grace to be disciples of Jesus.
Annunciation, He Qi, 2001.
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The Breath of the Spirit
Ask: What words or images come to mind when you think of the Holy Spirit? Invite volunteers to share their ideas. Have young people come to the board to write or draw their representations of the Holy Spirit and explain them. Say: The
Direct young people to read silently the first paragraph of this section. Write the words inspiration and respiration on the board. Invite volunteers to define these words. After a few definitions are given, ask: What connection do you see
CH A P T ER 1: Confirmed in the Spirit
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LoyolaPress.
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ART LINK Annunciation This painting is by He Qi [Huh Chee]. Qi was born in China and is known internationally for his contemporary sacred art. Since 1983 Qi has been dedicated to making Chinese Christian art and hopes that his work makes Christianity easier for Chinese people to understand and embrace. Annunciation depicts the Holy Spirit appearing to Mary in the form of a dove as she answers the call to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
Additional resources are available at www.loyolapress.com/confirmation.
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between the two words? (Both have the word spirit in them. The first word refers to something that can’t be seen, like a spirit, and the second word has to do with breathing.) Have a volunteer read aloud the second paragraph. Say: Here you can see that breath, wind, and spirit are related.
Direct young people to finish reading this section. Ask: What are some examples of God’s Spirit being with the people of the Old Testament? (Possible answers: leading the people of Israel out of Egypt, inspiring David as king, leading the prophets to speak for God.)
The Spirit in the New Testament Say: God’s Spirit is also clearly present in the New Testament. Let’s remind ourselves of some of the key moments when God was with his people. Ask volunteers to read aloud this section. Say: Time and time again, God reminds the people of the Bible that he is with them.
The Spirit in the World Today Have young people read silently this section. [Section continues on page 4.] Say: We’ve been talking about examples of God’s presence in the Bible. Through these Scripture stories, we are reminded not only that God has always been there for his people, but that he continues to
CHAPTER 1: Confirmed in the Spirit
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