QUESTION: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?
ANSWER: That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe.
ANSWER: That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe.
WARM-UP
The Holy Spirit has often been described as one of the more mysterious aspects of the Christian faith and often confuses outsiders and insiders to Christianity. Albeit, it is not an uncommon thought for people in Denver to think that there is an unseen force that is driving much of the world around us.
WORD
BIG IDEA
READ
The Holy Spirit has often been described as one of the more mysterious aspects of the Christian faith and often confuses outsiders and insiders to Christianity. Albeit, it is not an uncommon thought for people in Denver to think that there is an unseen force that is driving much of the world around us.
- Do you remember a time before you were a Christian when you heard about the Holy Spirit? How did you understand Him?
- How do you think people in Denver consider or think about this aspect of the Christian faith?
- Do you sense that there is more hesitation in our city towards the Holy Spirit than other invisible forces or beings? Why or why not?
WORD
BIG IDEA
- The Holy Spirit is coequal and coeternal with the Father and Son.
- The Holy Spirit is personal in form and function.
- The Holy Spirit guides, indwells, talks, testifies, encourages, strengthens, and teaches.
- Christ directs and maintains his ministry through the Holy Spirit.
READ
John 14:1-17
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
WATCH/LISTEN
OLD SELF
Modern psychology and sociology point to the truth that every single person has something that is guiding them. These forces are sometimes ideologies, sometimes objects of worship, or sometimes just plan desires.
NEW SELF
The sermon mentioned a few things in regards to how we relate to the Holy Spirit
WORLD
This week do two things to share next week at your fellowship group:
PRAYER
God Our Help, we thank you for sending your Spirit to live in us. Thank you that he chastens and disciplines, strengthens, and comforts us. Let us live the life of faith in his power, not our own. Let us walk the path of obedience, filled with his joy. Amen.
Modern psychology and sociology point to the truth that every single person has something that is guiding them. These forces are sometimes ideologies, sometimes objects of worship, or sometimes just plan desires.
- In our city, what do you think are the most common drivers of people's actions, decisions, or lifestyles?
- If you remember a time before you were a Christian, what were your personal driving factors?
- OR when the Christian life gets hard, what “drivers” or “guides” bubble up that are separate from the Holy Spirit?
NEW SELF
The sermon mentioned a few things in regards to how we relate to the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is personal (not an “it”). Scripture describes Him as “Helper.”
- The Holy Spirit always leads in the direction of Jesus (v. 12).
- The Holy Spirit points us to the truth.
- Consider these truths. How has the Holy Spirit changed or guided your life in a new way in contrast to what was discussed in the “Old Self” section?
- What are new ways that you are now asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in the next season of your life? Hint: Where do you want to be in 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years in regards to your Christian life?
WORLD
This week do two things to share next week at your fellowship group:
- Look outside yourself. Pay attention to the “helpers” of the outside world. What do you notice?
- Look inside. Pay attention to your own life; are there new ways that you see where the Holy Spirit has changed you, directed your life, encouraged, strengthened, or teaches you?
PRAYER
God Our Help, we thank you for sending your Spirit to live in us. Thank you that he chastens and disciplines, strengthens, and comforts us. Let us live the life of faith in his power, not our own. Let us walk the path of obedience, filled with his joy. Amen.