In this session and the next, you are going to take a look at the various Gifts that the Spirit gives to us as well as why the Spirit gives them. Once you are finished, please email or drop it off at the Youth Ministry Office. DO NOT GIVE THIS ASSIGNMENT TO YOUR SMALL GROUP LEADER.

Name _________________________________________        Date____________________________

Small Group Leader(s) Name(s):________________________________________________________

Part 1: Opening Prayer
Read: Acts 1:1-11

After Jesus was taken up to heaven, the Apostles, Mary, and other women and men gathered to pray together. Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would come to help them begin their difficult task of giving witness to the Reign of God.

Jesus, send us your spirit and renew the face of the earth. You know our strengths and weaknesses.
Transform us into messengers of your Gospel for those who yearn for you.

Jesus, send us your spirit and renew the face of the earth. You know our history, with its beautiful and painful experiences. Help us to be untiring promoters of a society based on love, justice, and peace.

Jesus, send us your spirit and renew the face of the earth. You know our longing for love and community. Make us instruments of unity and service, especially for those who are weak and those who are lonely. Amen.

Part 2: Pentecost and the Gifts of the Spirit
Read: Acts 2:1-13

In the reading above, one can see how the gifts of courage, wisdom and knowledge helped the Apostles to place their personal anxieties aside and do the will of God instead. That's the same reason the Holy Spirit gives each of us gifts.

These first verses of the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, are also the biblical story associated with the sacrament of Confirmation. As one of the three sacraments of initiation - along with Baptism and Eucharist - Confirmation celebrates a person's membership in the church. But in a special way, Confirmation is associated with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit are limitless. There are so many that they cannot be counted. However, the Catholic Church chooses seven gifts to represent them all. The number "7" is significant since it represents "completeness" to those who wrote the Bible. For example, the creation of the world took 7 days; there are 7 sacraments. The seven spiritual gifts which represent the rest are:

Knowledge
Knowledge is the ability to think and reason, the ability to understand the endless complexities of the universe. The development of this gift is our own responsibility. Not only are we to develop our knowledge of the world around us but we are to continually develop our knowledge concerning our faith and knowing God on a deeper level.

Wisdom
The gift of Wisdom helps us to see reality properly. Without wisdom we tend to see only from our own perspective. Wisdom gives us the ability to see situations and problems as they really are, and helps us to see things from God's point of view. Wisdom helps us to recognize our priorities in life - people are more important than material things and God's love is the most important thing of all.

Understanding
This is not the type of understanding which would go along with school such as "understanding an algebra problem", instead, this type of understanding is done with the heart and not the brain. A person with this gift accepts people as they are and tends to reach out to those people who are forgotten about.

Right Judgement (also known as Counsel)
This gift helps the individual to come to terms with what is right and wrong. This gift helps us in the everyday choices we are faced with and helps us to use our gift of "free will" wisely.

Courage
It is the gift of Courage that helps us to follow through on the right choices we have made. Courage gives us the strength to do what is right in spite of the obstacles and difficulties that stand in our way.

Reverence
Reverence means respect but with a much deeper meaning. A person with this gift truly values every person and all things that God has created. A person who does not have this gift smashes through the world thoughtlessly, stepping on flowers and people as he/she moves on.

Wonder and Awe
The full title of this gift is 'Wonder and Awe in God's Presence". This gift helps us to realize how great, powerful and awesome God really is. This gift allows the person to marvel at God's creation, the mountains, the oceans, the sky and everything that is good. Yet, at the same time, this person is amazed at how such a powerful God is so personal, loving and gentle, knowing each of us by name intimately.

Part 3: Questions, Questions, and more Questions

1. In the opening prayer readings, what were the Apostles feeling before the descent of the Holy Spirit?

2. After the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, what were they feeling?

3. What did the Spirit allow them to do?

4. In what ways are the people in St. Philip's Parish like the early Christians in Acts?

5. Do you  know parishioners who have given up their possessions, money, or time so that others could have their needs met? Explain your answer.

6. You will soon be eligible to participate in all of the ministries here at St. Philip's. What gifts might you bring to the parish that can be shared with the community?

7. What are the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

8. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to see life experiences in a special way. Read the following situation.

Al and Linda have been married for thirteen years. They have four children, aged ten, eight, seven, and six. Recently, Linda returned to her teaching career after spending the last ten years home tending to the care of the family. Linda's return to work has taken a great strain off the financial needs of the family, as Al has been working two jobs to make ends meet. Now, unexpectedly, Linda becomes pregnant again. They had not planned on having any more children.

How can each of the gifts be applied to Al and Linda's situation? Briefly explain.

Wisdom

Understanding

Knowledge

Right Judgment

Courage

Reverence

Wonder & Awe in God's Presence