New City Catechism, Week 37 (Question 37)

Q: How does the Holy Spirit help us?

Children’s answer

A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word.

Adult/older children’s answer

A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word.

Video explanation:

Song to assist with memorization:

Relevant Scripture to read:

Ephesians 6:17–18

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Children’s Activity (printable pdfs)

Younger Kids (pages 4 and 5)

There are no resources for older kids currently available for this lesson.

Special thanks to Del Rey Church for sharing their New City Catechism kid resources with us!

Devotional questions for individual/family/group reflection and discussion:

  1. How does is the Holy Spirit’s help consistent with Jesus’ promise to his disciples?

  2. How does the Holy Spirit’s ministry of helping cause us to think about our own call to help others?

  3. Which of the listed Holy Spirit ministries have you sensed most recently - convicting, comforting, guiding?

  4. How does this question and answer cause you to consider growth in your prayer life?

  5. What are 1-2 gifts that you have sensed the Holy Spirit has given you?

For an additional “deeper” dive into this question and answer, check out this video from Dr. Michael Allen (which a few of the above questions are based on):