How would your life be different if Jesus were still on earth and could come stay in your home?
God’s presence is a daily reality for us through the gift of His Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Discovering more about the Holy Spirit and why God chose to place His Spirit in us will make a great difference in our lives.
GOD’S PRESENCE THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
Throughout the Bible God tells people, “I will be with you.” He said to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Most often God’s presence was invisible, but sometimes He made Himself visible as recorded in Exodus 13:21-22 when the Israelites left Egypt.
Exodus 13:21-22
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
Discover: What was the purpose of God’s presence in the pillars?
Reflect: How would you have felt seeing that cloud or fire knowing God was with you?
In the Old Testament God’s Spirit came upon people to enable them to fulfill His purposes. But that changed in the New Testament. God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, was called “Immanuel which means God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus’ sacrificial death made it possible for God to be with us in a new and personal way. Read Galatians 4:4-6.
Galatians 4:4-6
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
Discover: What was the purpose and result of Jesus being sent to earth?
Discover: How is God now continually present with us, His adopted children?
Jesus told His disciples more about the Holy Spirit in Juan 14:15-17.
Juan 14:15-17
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 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.”
Discover: What two names does Jesus call the Spirit?
[NOTE: The original New Testament word used for “helper” is parakletos, meaning “the one who comes alongside to help.”]
Discover: Where did Jesus say the Spirit would dwell once He came?
Discover: How long does the Spirit stay with us?
Share: What have these passages told you about God’s desire to be with you? How do you feel about that?
Let’s look at a few of the incredible ways the Holy Spirit helps us.
GOD’S ASSURANCE THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
Romans 8:16 says “the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” God wants us to be assured that we have been saved and belong to Him. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is one way He affirms this. Read God’s promises in Ephesians 1:13 y 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
Ephesians 1:13
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit . . .
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Discover: What happened when we believed in Christ and were saved?
Reflect: What does it mean to have someone’s seal on something?
Reflect: How does knowing God put His seal of ownership on you give you assurance?
Discover: Based on 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, on whom does the Spirit’s presence in our lives depend?
Share: What might make it difficult for us to believe that God’s Spirit dwells in our hearts?
Discuss: Even if you do not see or feel the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life, how can you know that He is in you? Why do you think God wants to give us this guarantee?
GOD'S TRANSFORMING AND EQUIPPING POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in our spiritual birth and continued transformation, causing us to become who God designed us to be. Read Titus 3:4-6.
Titus 3:4-6
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior . . .
Discover: What did the Spirit do to transform us?
Share: How have you seen your life change since Jesus came into your life?
Discover: Según 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, what result will God’s Spirit bring about in our lives?
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Reflect: What do you think you will be like when you are transformed into the image of Christ?
Reflect: What will the Spirit need to do to accomplish that?
Share: How is it freeing to know that this will come through the Spirit and is not based on your efforts?
Reinforce:
As you read these passages, discover what they tell you about God. Ask Him to dispel any wrong perspectives you may have.Book: 5:5-15
“This is the Bible verse.”
Book: 6:6-16
“This is the Bible verse.”
