Meet the Author – lesson series (5-1)

(click on image to enlarge)
This was one of the more challenging lesson texts to visualize from the series.

Romans 8:26 "... The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

How does one illustrate for children the Holy Spirit helping the believer and interceding with groans?!

I was trying to illustrate this by showing a child who might be going through a difficult situation (fear, tired, lonely, sickness, etc.) and coming to the Lord in prayer.  Many children know how if feels to feel pain and anguish inside.  I added the directional light breaking the evening light (on right side) to help show how the child is not alone and the Holy Spirit is sharing in our feelings with us and helping us.  

When viewing these illustrations, remember that the pictures are not meant to "stand on their own" but there will be a teacher explaining/teaching from an accompanying text with the illustration helping to hold the child's attention, help bring the lesson to life, reinforce the truths being taught, and complement the written text with additional visual teaching.

For the reference photo, I used a child whose parents are presently students at the 3-month training course in Kilchzimmer.  He was a real trooper and patient as I took a series of photos, placing each of his fingers individually into position.  This was very important since the hands & fingers had to communicate the intense emotions without the help of the eyes or face.

Excerpt from accompanying Bible lesson text:

"Our prayers are often very imperfect, but the Holy Spirit prays to God for us so that we will be strong to do what is right and to keep on doing it.  When you pray quietly to God at home, isn't it wonderful to know that the Holy Spirit is praying for you and with you!"

Meet the Author is a 5-part Bible lesson series on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit.  Final print size is 24x34cm ring-bound flashcard book with accompanying text.  Illustration was created in Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Corel Painter X.  ... Initial sketch ideas were created using traditional pencil, pen and paper. :-)