Between the Last Supper and the betrayal in the Garden of Olives, John records four complete chapters of Jesus’ teachings. He tries to prepare His disciples for His death. He prays for the disciples and for all believers who will come after, including us. Jesus promises that He will be with us always and goes on to explain His Holy Spirit will be given to us to help us in many ways. Let’s look at this Advocate who is promised to us.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Did you grow up in a faith tradition that stated, “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”? If so, what crazy ideas did this give you about the Person of the Holy Spirit?
2. Read Acts 1:5, Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13; 6:19-20, Ezekiel 37:14, and Ephesians 1:13-14. Who is the Holy Spirit? Does every follower of Christ have access to the Spirit? How do these verses apply to us today and to our relationships with God?
3. Obedience is essential to ongoing connection with the Holy Spirit. Read John 14:15-17, 21, 23-24, and Galatians 5:25. What is obedience tied to in this passage? Where does the Spirit reside (see vs 17 and 23)? How does obedience connect us to Him? What does “following the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” equate to?
4. Read Acts 1:8, John 14:16-17, and 26. What are some of the things the Holy Spirit will do for and with us? How does the Holy Spirit accomplish this? What also does Acts 1:8 specifically say He will empower us to do? Has there ever been a time where you were aware of the presence and leadership of the Holy Spirit in your own life?
5. Final Thought: This week, we were challenged to pray, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” and to trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s Truth to us as we open the Scriptures. He will also help us pray, and He will bring to our remembrance what God has already shown us. How will you draw closer this week? How will you listen for the voice of the Spirit? Will you commit right now to trusting God by obeying the Spirit, staying in step with Him, and walking in faith where He leads?
Deeper
Essentially, the doctrine of the Trinity teaches these three things: 1) There is one God. 2) God is three individual persons, and each is fully God. 3) God is a unity (three-in-oneness).
Let’s check out the scriptures for ourselves:
6. Deuteronomy 6:4–5:
7. James 2:19 and 1 Corinthians 8:4:
8. Genesis 1:1 and Matthew 6:9:
9. Titus 2:13 and Colossians 2:9:
10. Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and Acts 5:3-4:
11. Genesis 1:26, Matthew 3:15-17, and Matthew 28:19-20: