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 made an astounding statement about the Holy Spirit to His followers shortly before His return to heaven. Read John 16:7.
Discover: Why did Jesus say that His leaving would be an advantage to them?
Reflect: How is having God’s’ Spirit in our hearts better than having Jesus physically present with us?
Jesus told His disciples more about the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-17.
John 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 and 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: According to 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?
Ephesians 2:10 says that we were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God’s care for us is seen in the fact that He provides us with the power to do this. Look at Paul’s prayer for believers in Ephesians 3:16 and Philippians 2:13 to see God’s gracious provision.
Ephesians 3:16
. . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . .
Philippians 2:13
. . . for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Discover: How does God enable us to please Him and serve Him?
Share: What challenges are you facing today for which you need the Spirit to provide you with power?
Reflect: What does it reveal about God’s heart that He has given you His Spirit to enable you to face this and every other challenge in life?
God equips us to serve by giving us spiritual gifts, which we will explore later. For now, look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 to see the source and purpose of spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Discover: Why does God give us spiritual gifts?
Reflect: How does it help the common good that God gives us different gifts?
Discuss: What does it mean that these gifts are a “manifestation of the Spirit”?
Share: What does it mean to you that God has given you spiritual gifts and will empower you to use them?
GOD'S DIRECTION THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
How would the One who created us be in the best position to know how to lead us?
The all-knowing and all-wise God desires to direct us through life so that we can walk with Him in His ways. He gave us His Spirit to help us live in His truth. See John 14:26 and John 16:13.
John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
John 16:13
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
Discover: What, and how, does the Spirit teach us?
Reflect: What is the connection between God’s Word, the Bible, and the Spirit’s work?
Reflect: When we have difficulty understanding something in the Bible, to whom should we turn?
Share: Can you think of a time when the Holy Spirit reminded you of something from His Word?
God is committed to guiding us to live according to His ways and to correct us when we are not. This begins before we become a believer and continues throughout our relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit directs us, convicts us (makes us aware of wrong) and enables us to change. Read John 16:8 and Revelation 3:19.
Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
Discover: What does the Holy Spirit bring to our attention? What is His purpose in doing this?
Reflect: Think back to the question about having Jesus living in your home. When would Jesus’ presence make you feel uncomfortable? Why?
Reflect: Have there been times when you tried to ignore the Holy Spirit speaking to you? What response does God desire?
Reflect: How is having the Holy Spirit speaking truth and correction into our lives an expression of God’s love and care for us?
God has not left us alone to fend for ourselves. Let’s thank Him for the Holy Spirit living in us and ask Him to make His presence, assurance, power, and direction a reality in our daily lives.
GOING FORWARD
Clarify: What thoughts or questions do you have?
Summarize: Why did God send His Spirit to live in us? What are some ways He makes a difference in our lives?
Apply: How can you become more aware of God with you?
Pass It On: Which truth could you share that would bless someone close to you?
Reinforce:
This week, as you read these verses about the Holy Spirit, take time to reflect on what you
learn about Him and His work in your life.
• Acts 2:36-39
• 1 Corinthians 2:9-13
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
• Romans 8:9-16, 26-28
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Acts 2:36-39
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
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.
Romans 8:9-16, 26-28
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God . . .
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
