The Hebrew word ruakh can be translated “spirit” or “wind.” In the very beginning pages of the Bible we see the Spirit is present in creation (Genesis 1:2). The Spirit resided for a period of time with certain people to accomplish God’s plan of redemption and restoration. The Spirit was with leaders like Moses (Numbers 11:17), Bezalel (Exodus 31:1–5), Gide- on (Judges 6:34), Samson (Judges 15:14) prophets such as Elijah (1 Kings 18:12), and David the King of Israel (Psalm 51:11). God’s prophets spoke of a future day in which God will give a new heart and put a new spirit within His people (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26–27). This foreshadowed the day that all of God’s people would experience this, not just a select few (Joel 2:28-32). This promise was tied to a divinely anointed and appointed Messiah (Isaiah 42:1-4, 48:16, 61:1). Everyone surrounding the birth of Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit: Mary (Luke 1:35), Elizabeth (Luke 1:41) & John the Baptist (Luke 1:15). Today we will look at the promised comforter and counselor that Jesus promised.

Read John 14:15-27

Q: How is the Holy Spirit described in this passage?
Q: What is the job of the Holy Spirit?
Q: How do you personally interact with the Holy Spirit?

Q: The Holy Spirit lives inside of those that have said Yes to Jesus. Describe how He works in your life? Do you trust that He will be with you forever and is a seal of our inheritance found in Heaven?

Q: How have you seen God (The Holy Spirit) provide you with peace and comfort?

The Holy Spirit plays a far more starring role in the pages of the New Testament. From the miraculous birth of Jesus (God with skin on – Luke 1:35) to His empowering work through the life of Jesus, we notice the work of the Holy Spirit on many occasions. He is present in the baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:21-22) to warding off the temptations of Satan (Luke 4:1- 2), with Jesus’s preaching (Luke 4:14-15) and within His resurrection from the dead (Romans 8:11). He was the agent in giving the inspired scriptures (2 Peter 1:21). Today we are going to look at the celebration of Pentecost when God pours out His Spirit on believers as promised in the Old Testa- ment (Acts 2:33)

Read Acts 2

Q: What were the activities of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

Q: At Pentecost the disciples were filled with the Spirit and received: lan- guages (Acts 2:4–12), boldness (Acts 2:14) and power (Acts 2:37–41)! How may this outpouring have impacted the beginning of the Church age?

Q: We live in the age of the Spirit. God has promised to give his Spirit to every Christian (Acts 2:37–39). Why is this a significant transition from earlier biblical times?

The Holy Spirit is a fully and completely divine person who possesses all of the divine attributes. God the Spirit applies the work of God the Son. The Spirit’s distinct role is to accomplish the unified will of the Father and the Son and to be in personal relationship with both of them. The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture (1 Peter 1:21), the deposit or down payment on our heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14), our intercessor (Romans 8:26) and a teacher/comforter/advocate and counselor that we saw last week (John 14).

Read John 16:1-33

Q: How does this passage allude to the working relationship of the Holy Spirit with the other two persons of the triune God?

Q: What do you think the disciples anticipated regarding the arrival of the Holy Spirit?

Q: What will the Holy Spirit help communicate to us?
Q: Describe the work of the Holy Spirit as seen in this passage?

The personal nature of the Holy Spirit is evident in his title “Comforter” or “Helper” (Greek. Paraklētos) found in John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7. Jesus says he will send the Comforter, who will take his place as his disciples’ helper: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to
you” (John 16:7). An impersonal force could never provide as good a comfort as Jesus. The Holy Spirit must be personal in order to fulfill this most personal ministry. Scripture speaks of several activities of the Spirit that can only be performed if he is a personal agent. All of these activities of the Holy Spirit are profoundly personal and interrelate with the Father and Son in a way that could only be through the Spirit’s distinct personal nature.

Read Romans 8:1-17

Q: How should the indwelling Holy Spirit affect your daily life? What changes in your life have you seen since the Holy Spirit took up residence?

Q: What are some lies and or truth that the Holy Spirit has pointed out to you?

Q: Anyone who is a follower of Jesus is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. How does this truth change the way in which you are His witnesses?

Q: What does it look like to move with the Holy Spirit? Have you person- ally ever felt such a strong indication that the Holy Spirit was desiring you to do something? Share about this experience.

Q: How will you disciple your children/grandchildren to interact with the Holy Spirit?

Using the same chart, answer the following:

Q: Describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit prior to conversion? From your own personal story, can you remember His work on your behalf prior to saying Yes to Jesus?

Q: Summarize and describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit at the point of conversion? Which picture/pictures most powerfully convey to you the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in one’s life?

Q: How is the Holy Spirit’s work of sealing like that of an engagement ring? Why may this be a helpful analogy, what could be dangers with this analogy as well?

Q. Describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. What does the Spirit want to do in our lives if He is free to work on our behalf?

Q: One role of the Holy Spirit is to help sustain us as we suffer trials, suf- fering and hardships. What specifically does the Holy Spirit do for us during periods of trial?