Introduction // 5 minutes
Who was your closest friend growing up? Briefly describe that relationship.
Observation // 20 minutes
Read John 14:16-20, 26-27
What are all the “I Will, He Will, You Will” statements in the passage?
- I will ask the Father (v16)
- He will give you another advocate (v16)
- He (the Holy Spirit) will be in you (v17)
- I will not leave you as orphans (v18)
- I will come to you (v18)
- You will see me (v19)
- Because I live, you also will live (19)
- You will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you (v20)
- The Father will send the Holy Spirit in my name (v26)
- He (the Holy Spirit) will teach and remind you all that Jesus has taught (v26)
What do you learn about the Holy Spirit?
Sample Answers May Include…
- That he will help and never leave us (v16)
- The world doesn’t see or accept him (v17)
- We already know him (v17)
- He will live in us (v17)
- He is by the Father in the Son’s name (v26)
- He teaches and reminds us of Jesus’ teachings (v26)
- He embodies the peace that Jesus promised to leave us with (v27)
Leader Note: Lead your group to see that all the “I will” statements are made possible through the presence of the Holy Spirit, who will now be with and in us forever.
Commentary: Jesus promises the gift of His Holy Spirit as He is preparing for the cross and untimely His physical departure from this world. Later in John 16:7 He tells His disciples that it is actually for their benefit that He go in order that the Spirit may come and be with them. What He leaves them with is not some cheap imitation or mere copy of Himself but “another of the same kind.” In other words another of Himself to be with them and serve as an empowering advocate (translated comforter counselor, helper, encourager, intercessor and companion) wherever they go. The Holy Spirit provides us with comfort and power to live for God’s Kingdom in a world that is directly opposed it.
The Holy Spirit exists in relationship with the Father and Son. He is the spirit of God not created by Him, but sharing in God’s very nature. He is not an impersonal force. He is not an “it” but a he who possess unique characteristics and personalities traits.
Leader Note: You may wish to take a deeper look at the Holy Spirit with your group using the following categories and verses as a guide.
He Is God
- He was present at creation (Genesis 1:2, Job 26:13, Ps 104:30)
- Omniscient, He understands all things, (Isaiah 40:13, 1 Cor 2:10-12)
- Omnipresent, ever present (Ps 139:7-10)
- Omnipotent, all powerful (Job 33:4, Ps 104:30, Romans 8:11)
- Distributes and works through spiritual gifts of the (1 Cor 12:4-6)
- Works along side the Father and Son (2 Cor 13:14)
- He is one with the Father (Ephesians 4:4-6)
- He is eternal (Hebrews 9:14)
He Is A Person
- He can be lied to, resisted, grieved and insulted (Isa 63:10, Acts 5:3-4,
- Acts 7: 51, Heb 10:29, Eph 4:30,)
- Intelligence (Romans 8:27, I Cor 2:13)
- Emotion (Ephesians 4:30, Hebrews 10:29)
- Will (1 Cor 12:11, Acts 16:6-11)
- Capacity for relationship (2 Cor 13:14)
He Has Specific Roles
- He comforts (John 14:16)
- Teaches and instructs (Neh 9:20, Luke 12:12, John 14:25-26, John 15:26, 1 Cor 2:13, Eph 1:17)
- He convicts (John 16:8-11)
- He guides (John 16:13, Acts 11:12, 15:28, 21:4)
- Commissions and empowers and believers for ministry (Isa 48:16, Acts 1:8, 4:31, Acts 13:2, Acts 20:28, 1 Cor. 2:4-5, Eph. 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:6-7)
- Gives us strength to stand against sin (Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16, 25)
- Inspires prophecy (Num. 9:30, 11:25, 29; 2 Sam. 23:2-3; Acts 21:4, 28:25; 2 Peter 1:21)
- Distributes spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12- 14; Rom. 12)
- Gives us supernatural strength (Eph 3:16)
- Capable of preforming miracles (Acts 8:39)
- Intercedes/aides our prayers (Romans 8:26, Jude 1:20)
- Pours out God’s love (Romans 5:5, 15:30)
- Sanctifies the believers
Understanding // 10 minutes
Where have you seen God’s power at work in the lives of others?
Leader Note: Life transformation, healing and restoration glorifies the Father and reveals the Son. The Holy Spirit supplies the power, which makes that transformation possible.
Application // 25 minutes
How do you currently view the Holy Spirit?
Have you always had that view?
What’s changed in your understanding of Him?
Commentary: God the Father and God the Son are typically easier for us to understand than God the Spirit. We receive the Father, Son and Spirit at the moment of our conversion (Eph 1:13-14, 2:22, 4:30). The primary role of the Spirit is to empower us to live the life to which we haven been called. Without the Holy Spirit’s presence, power and peace we would be left to live that life in our own futile strength. That life leads either to a religious false sense of pride or guilt filled misery.
How have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your life?
Leader Note: Revisit the list of the Holy Spirit’s specific roles listed above as a jumping off point. You may wish to frame the question based off a few of those roles, i.e.…
- Where have you have you experienced God’s comfort?
- When was a time you heard God’s voice?
- Where have you had a sense of God’s empowerment?
Where are you presently in need of the Holy Spirit?
Live It Out // 10 minutes
How might your life and the life of others be impacted through your relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray that your eyes may be opened to his work in our life and your passions further developed for a deeper relationship with him.