Helper – Parakletos
Adapted from the book
I Am: 40 Bible Stories, Devotions, and Prayers About the Names of God
by Diane Stortz
Photo by Jerry Green
Good morning, grandchildren!
I wish I were with you right now so I could give you a
great big hug and tell you how much I love you!
Today’s Scripture is:
John 14:16:
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever."
Today’s Bible story is about the beginning of what we call the church.
After Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection, He appeared to His disciples. Remember the story about Jesus’ cooking breakfast for the disciples on the beach? Later, He led them to a mountain called the Mount of Olives. There, He explained that He was going to leave them and return to heaven.
The disciples must have felt sad and worried, but Jesus told them to go back to the city and wait. He promised to send a Helper. So, they obeyed and stayed together in an upstairs room.
Then something amazing happened! A loud rushing wind came through the room, and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each person. (Don’t worry—they didn’t get burned!) The Helper—the Holy Spirit—had come.
The Holy Spirit filled each person and gave them the ability to do things they had never done before, even speaking in languages they had never learned. The Helper gave them courage and power to tell everyone about Jesus.
And what about you? Have you ever fallen off your bike and needed help? Or needed help with hard homework? The Helper, the Holy Spirit, is always there to help us when we ask. He helps us obey God, tell others about Jesus, and gives us strength to do the right thing.