Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Year 3 Term 5— Kingdom of God
When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost?

Background Information
The book of Acts seeks to describe what happened in the early days after Jesus’ resurrection. It describes the struggle of the disciples (who still saw themselves as part of the Jewish community) and the first followers, as they began to share the message with people outside of the Jewish community. Some of the struggles are reflected in the letters written to some of the churches that are described in Acts. Many of the New Testament letters are written by Paul to encourage, support and sometimes challenge the churches that he helped to set up. Acts and the letters make it obvious that just because the Kingdom of God had begun on earth, it does not mean that no one sins any more! The Bible talks in terms of God’s ‘Kingdom’
.

The Day of Pentecost: Acts 2: 1–15, 22 and 37–41

In this unit the children will be able to …
Make clear links between the story of the Day of Pentecost and Christian belief about the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Offer suggestions about what the description of Pentecost in Acts 2 might mean.
Give examples of what Pentecost means to some Christians now. Make simple links between the description of the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God, and how Christians live their whole lives and in their church communities.
Make links between ideas about the Kingdom of God explored in the Bible and what people believe about following God in the world today, expressing some of their own ideas.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Describe the links between the story of the Day of Pentecost and Christian belief about the Kingdom of God on Earth. (T)
Explore what the description of Pentecost in Acts 2 means. (T)
Explain what Pentecost means to some Christians now. (T)
Most children will:
Explore the links between the description of the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God, and how Christians live their whole lives and in their church communities. (I)
Some children will:
Explain the links between ideas about the Kingdom of God explored in the Bible and what people believe about following God in the world today. (C)
Discuss ideas about this key concept. (C)

Key Vocabulary
Kingdom
God
Pentecost
Good Friday
The Holy Spirit
Church of England
Lord’s Prayer