Big Idea: The Holy Spirit transforms us to be more like Jesus.

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:9; Romans 12:9-18; Philippians 1:2-7

This week we talked about transformation. Paul wrote in letters to churches and told them how when we put our trust in Jesus, he gives us His Holy Spirit, and His Spirit transforms us. We talked about how we might not change on the outside, and look different, but we are changed on the inside. The Holy Spirit transforms our minds and our hearts. He changes how we think and what we love and this changes what we say and do.

The Holy Spirit transforms our minds and hearts when we read God's word, when we worship Him and when we are encouraged by the family of God. 

When we are transformed, we think differently- we learn what is pleasing or right in God's eyes, and what is not. When we are transformed, we love differently. We are able to love people as Jesus does – like loving them even when they hurt us! 

The Holy Spirit gives us gifts – each and every one of us. When we are transformed to be more like Jesus, we find we can use the things we are good at for the Glory of God by serving others.

Family Activity

We used hand actions on Sunday to point to our minds, hearts, mouths and hands. Try saying together, with the actions: "The Holy Spirit transforms our minds and hearts, so we can be like Jesus in what we say and do." In order to demonstrate transformation – pull out the baby photos. Show the children how they have grown and changed since they were babies, and talk about how we grow and change when we learn more and love Jesus over time. We might not see the difference straight away, like in babies, but we do notice over time. Point out differences between the photos and your kids now. 

Make a list of all the things each person in your family is good at. Think of ways together that you can use these gifts differently now that you know Jesus can use them to help us love people.

See you Sunday!