Leader Guide
Don’t you just love God’s Word? This week we begin a brand-new series about the Holy Spirit. For many of us, the Holy Spirit feels like a mystery. Maybe you grew up in an environment that didn’t talk about Him much, or maybe you’ve only heard confusing or conflicting things about who He is and what He does. As a result, it can be tempting to ignore the Holy Spirit altogether or reduce Him to just a feeling or a force. But Jesus made it clear that the Holy Spirit is essential—He is God Himself living in us, guiding us, empowering us, and comforting us. Our goal in this series is to know Him more personally, understand His role more clearly, and learn to walk with Him more faithfully in everyday life.
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
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to know more and explore. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What is something in your daily routine that is absolutely essential, and you cannot do without? What has been a confusing belief that you may have heard concerning the Holy Spirit?
2. Read John 16:7-8. Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His role? In this scripture who does Jesus say He is? What does it mean to you that Jesus calls the Spirit our “Helper”?
Leader: We have so many misconceptions about the Spirit. But God’s Word shows us the truth and all that we need to know. The Holy Spirit is not an “it” but a “Him”, a person of the Trinity, not a force. Jesus is teaching that the Spirit would not just be with us, but in us and would help us to come to know Him and to live out our new life in Him.
3. Read Matthew 3:16-17. Does the Trinity seem mysterious to you? How do you see the Trinity described and at work here? Why is it important for us to see that Father, Son, and Spirit are all present together?
Leader: This is one of the clearest pictures in Scripture where all three persons of the Trinity are active at the same time. The Son is baptized, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven. Three distinct persons, yet one God, working in harmony and equal.
4. Read Acts 5:3-4. How does this show us that the Holy Spirit is God not just a force? What is the significance of Peter saying, “You have not lied to man, but to God”? How does knowing the Spirit is fully God affect the way you relate to Him?
Leader: This is not to cause fear but reverence. The point isn’t just avoiding sin but also realizing we can live in daily relationship with the Spirit as God Himself and that He being God knows all about us. Aren’t you glad that we don’t serve a God that can be all figured out and is on our level. We have a God that is bigger, wiser and more powerful, than our finite mind can comprehend.
5. Read Romans 8:26. When have you experienced a moment where you didn’t know what to pray? How does this encourage you to know the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for you? Why might we need to let go of trying to “have the right words” and instead rest in the Spirit’s help?
Leader: The Holy Spirit is not distant—He is actively helping us in our weakness. He is more than a feeling; He is our friend.
6. Read Acts 1:8, John 16:13-13, Acts 2:1-4. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Spirit instead of sending them out right away? What difference did the Holy Spirit make in the disciples’ lives after Jesus ascended? What difference has (or could) the Holy Spirit make in yours? What might it look like in your life to depend on Him as much as you depend on that daily habit?
Leader: The disciples could not understand all that Jesus was trying to teach them, it was too much for their finite brain. The Spirit had to come to reveal to them the truths. The disciples transformed from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming Christ. That same Spirit dwells in us today.
Action Steps: Welcome the Holy Spirit to start your day by asking Him to guide your thoughts, words and actions. Follow His lead, don’t treat Him like a “holy suggestion.” When He convicts or prompts you, obey. Surrender more of yourself, ask “How can the Spirit have more of me?”
Deeper Dive (Optional): Read Acts 16:25-34. How did the Spirit fill Paul and Silas in the midst of this difficult time? How did he use them to bring the jailers' family to faith? When has the Spirit sustained you in a dark place?