Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God at work in our lives. He comes to bring the power to love. He comes to show us a new way to live.
What does the Bible say about the Holy Spirit -
- God with us - John 14v16-21
- Children of God - Romans 8:14-17
- Spirit's Fruit - Galatians 5:22-25
- Spirit's Gifts - 1 Peter 4:10-11
- Spirit of truth - John 16v7-15
God with us
John 14:16-21
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of a believer now that Jesus is in heaven?
- How does Jesus promise the Holy Spirit will relate with those who are his disciples?
Thoughts to consider
When Jesus went to heaven, it seems that we have lost the great advantage of a living person to follow, an example we can see, someone who will prompt us to action. Yet, Jesus says the Holy Spirit coming provides all this and more. Those who accept him have a very real friend and adviser for life.
Children of God
Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What does the Spirit do in the life of a person who has received him?
- What is the significance of being a child of God?
Thoughts to consider
As children of God we enjoy the privileges of being a child of the living God. We also go through the challenging response of others to God and those who bare his name. All of this prepares us for an eternity with him.
Spirit's Fruit
Galatians 5:22-25
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How would you summarise the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit?
- How do you think following the Spirit’s leading could lead to living out the fruit of the Spirit?
Thoughts to consider
The Holy Spirit works in us to make it possible for us to love. For him to work, we have to allow him to take us through a process of dealing with our sinful nature. As we follow his leading, he will do this and his life and love will become evident in our lives.
Spirit's gifts
Romans 12:4-8
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What is God’s purpose in giving gifts to people by his Spirit?
- How would you know what gifts he has given to others?
Thoughts to consider
God’s gifts come to individuals to help them participate with God’s people in his work and ministry. They are best discovered by serving in a variety of opportunities and seeing where God works best.
Spirit of truth
John 16:7-15
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Questions for reflection or discussion
- Jesus is the Truth and his Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. How do people experience his truth?
- How have you experienced the Spirit bringing his truth to bare in your life?
Thoughts to consider
In our limited human experience we are not able to embrace the fullness of Jesus. So, the Spirit will bring into our lives the right amount of truth that we can bear.
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- What does the Spirit do in a believer’s life?
- How do you see the Spirit working in your life?
Thoughts to consider
It can be hard to see what God is doing in our own lives. It can be more helpful to ask these questions of others and see what they think.
Photo Credit
Photo Credit - Onishenko
