What Jesus Taught about the Holy Spirit – STUDY GUIDE

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Icebreaker: Share a time you have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Title: Life in the Red Letters – “What Jesus Taught about the Holy Spirit” – John 15:26-27

Group Discussion:

Read John 15:26-27, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Acts 1:8, Matthew 10:19-20, & Romans 8:26-27 – Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Advocate. The Spirit sanctifies us (helps us become more like Jesus), empowers us to share Jesus with others & intercedes for us. How can understanding that the Spirit fulfills these roles influence the way we pray, worship and engage in fellowship with others? Discuss how knowing this can impact God’s Kingdom, particularly in the way we disciple others.

Read John 16:8-15 – The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of 1) the sin of unbelief, 2) the righteousness of Jesus and 3) the judgement of the devil. Discuss the difference in how our current culture teaches us to find truth versus how Jesus teaches how we will find truth. How can believers cultivate the habit of listening to the Spirit’s voice daily when faced with the world’s opposing views?

Read John 3:5-6 & 14:7 & Galatians 5:22-23, 25 – We live by the Spirit and must also keep in step with the Spirit. What are some ways believers might “fall out of step” with the Spirit? Describe what a life surrendered to the Spirit’s guidance should look like.

Read Ezekiel 36:27 & 1 Samuel 3:9 – We must be willing to be wholly surrendered and obedient to the Spirit’s guidance. What barriers might cause us to hesitate when the Holy Spirit prompts us to act or respond in faith? How do these passages illustrate that surrendering to the Spirit is both a gift and a responsibility?

Spiritual Disciplines & Action Steps: Review resources for this series on our Church Center app: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources, such as Justin’s outline for how to pray and fast.

Begin each day this week with the same prayer we find in 1 Samuel 3:9, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

If you feel the Spirit’s leading you to do something that aligns with God’s Word this week, act on it! Discover the delight that comes with following the prompting of the Spirit and consider how He wants to guide you in becoming a life-long disciple of His.