Experiencing the Holy Spirit in Daily Life
Summary
Today, we gathered in a different setting to have an honest, down-to-earth conversation about the Holy Spirit—who He is, how He works, and how we can experience Him in our daily lives. We started by tackling the mystery of the Trinity: God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While the word “Trinity” isn’t found in Scripture, the relationship between these three persons is woven throughout the Bible. It’s a perfect, relational unity that models for us how we’re meant to live in community—with God and with each other. Even though we can’t fully grasp the depths of God’s nature, we see His heart in how the Father, Son, and Spirit work together to bring us into His family.
We addressed practical questions about prayer—whether we should pray to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. The answer is that God is big enough to receive our prayers in any form, but there’s a beautiful pattern in Scripture: we pray to the Father, through the Spirit, in the name of Jesus. This reflects the unity and diversity of God’s nature.
We also explored when and how we receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is eternal, present from the beginning, but He comes to dwell in us when we place our faith in Jesus. Baptism is a public declaration of faith, but it’s not a prerequisite for receiving the Spirit. The Spirit is given as a deposit, a guarantee of our inheritance, and yet there’s always more—more of ourselves to surrender, more of the Spirit’s presence to experience.
A key part of our discussion was about discernment: how do we know if it’s the Spirit, our own conscience, or even the enemy speaking? The answer isn’t always easy, but it starts with creating moments of stillness, quieting the noise, and making space for God to speak. The Spirit’s voice is recognized by its fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we walk in the Spirit, these qualities begin to shape our lives, even as we wrestle with the ongoing tension between flesh and Spirit.
Ultimately, the invitation is to daily surrender, to walk step by step with the Spirit, and to seek moments of stillness where God can shape us. It’s not about perfection, but about making room for God’s presence and letting His love overflow through us.
Key Takeaways
- The Trinity is less a puzzle to solve and more a relationship to experience. God’s perfect unity as Father, Son, and Spirit models the kind of community and mutual love we’re called to pursue. Even when we can’t fully comprehend the mystery, we’re invited into that relationship, both with God and with each other. [02:31]
- Receiving the Holy Spirit is not about religious rituals or spiritual achievements. The Spirit comes to dwell in us the moment we place our faith in Jesus, marking us as God’s own and guaranteeing our future with Him. Baptism is a beautiful public declaration, but it’s not a requirement for the Spirit’s presence in our lives. [09:52]
- The Spirit’s work in us is ongoing and deepening. It’s not so much about us getting more of the Spirit, but about the Spirit getting more of us—our trust, our surrender, our willingness to let go of control. As we open ourselves, the Spirit fills the space we make, bringing peace, clarity, and transformation. [18:49]
- Discernment is cultivated in stillness. With so many voices—our own, the enemy’s, the world’s—it’s easy to get lost in the noise. But when we intentionally create moments of quiet, we become more attuned to the Spirit’s gentle leading, recognizing His voice by the fruit it produces in our lives. [31:29]
- Walking in the Spirit is a daily journey, not a one-time event. The tension between flesh and Spirit is real, and the old desires don’t simply vanish. But as we keep in step with the Spirit, the fruit of love, joy, peace, and more begin to grow in us, shaping how we relate to God, to others, and even to ourselves. [42:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introducing the Helper Series
[02:31] - Understanding the Trinity
[04:45] - The Trinity in Scripture
[06:07] - How Should We Pray?
[08:00] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[09:52] - The Gift and Timing of the Spirit
[13:00] - Do We Need to Ask for the Spirit?
[18:49] - Surrendering More to the Spirit
[23:47] - Can We Lose the Holy Spirit?
[26:33] - Discerning the Spirit’s Voice
[29:10] - Internal and External Voices
[31:29] - The Power of Stillness
[33:47] - Surrender and Walking in the Spirit
[38:42] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[42:18] - Love as the Mark of the Spirit
[45:00] - Action Steps and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Experiencing the Holy Spirit in Daily Life
---
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 4:4-7
"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
2. Ephesians 1:13-14
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."
3. Galatians 5:19-25
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 4:4-7, what roles do the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each play in bringing us into God’s family?
*(see [02:31])*
2. In Ephesians 1:13-14, what does Paul say is the “seal” or “deposit” that marks us as belonging to God?
*(see [09:52])*
3. What are some of the “acts of the flesh” and “fruit of the Spirit” that Paul lists in Galatians 5:19-25?
*(see [38:42])*
4. In the sermon, what is described as the main way to start discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit from other voices?
*(see [31:29])*
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says the Trinity is “less a puzzle to solve and more a relationship to experience.” How does this idea change the way someone might approach their relationship with God and others?
*(see [02:31])*
2. Ephesians 1:13-14 describes the Holy Spirit as a “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” What does it mean for believers to have the Spirit as a guarantee, and how might this affect their sense of security in God?
*(see [09:52])*
3. The pastors talked about the ongoing work of the Spirit, saying it’s “not so much about us getting more of the Spirit, but about the Spirit getting more of us.” What does it look like in real life to surrender more of ourselves to the Spirit?
*(see [18:49])*
4. The sermon mentions that discernment is cultivated in stillness. Why might stillness and quiet be necessary for hearing God’s voice, and what are some obstacles to creating that space?
*(see [31:29])*
---
### Application Questions
1. The Trinity models perfect unity and relationship. Is there a relationship in your life (family, friends, church) where you feel called to pursue more unity or mutual love? What’s one step you could take this week to move toward that?
*(see [02:31])*
2. The sermon says the Holy Spirit comes to live in us when we place our faith in Jesus, not because of any ritual or achievement. Have you ever felt pressure to “do more” to earn God’s presence? How can you remind yourself of the Spirit’s gift this week?
*(see [09:52])*
3. The pastors talked about surrendering more of ourselves to the Spirit. Is there an area of your life where you’re holding on to control? What would it look like to give that area over to God, even in a small way?
*(see [18:49])*
4. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pick one of these that you struggle with. What is one practical thing you can do this week to make space for the Spirit to grow that fruit in you?
*(see [38:42])*
5. The sermon encourages creating moments of stillness to hear God’s voice. What is one specific time or place you could set aside this week for quiet and listening to God? What might get in the way, and how can you address it?
*(see [31:29])*
6. The pastors said that walking in the Spirit is a daily journey, not a one-time event. What is one daily habit you could start (or restart) to help you keep in step with the Spirit?
*(see [42:18])*
7. When you think about discerning God’s voice, what are some “noises” or distractions in your life that make it hard to listen? How can you intentionally reduce one of those distractions this week?
*(see [31:29])*
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for the Spirit’s help to surrender, to listen, and to walk in step with Him this week.
Devotional
Day 1: The Trinity—Perfect Relationship and Divine Invitation
God is one, yet exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each distinct but united in perfect relationship. This mystery, though beyond full human comprehension, reveals a God who is relational at His core and who invites us into His family through the work of the Son and the indwelling of the Spirit. The Trinity models the kind of unity and love we are called to reflect in our own relationships and in the church, reminding us that God’s desire is to draw us close and make us His sons and daughters. [02:31]
Galatians 4:4-6 (ESV)
"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!'"
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally reflect the unity and love of the Trinity in your relationships this week, especially with those who are difficult to love?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit—God’s Gift and Guarantee
The Holy Spirit is given to every believer at the moment of faith in Jesus, not as an afterthought or delayed blessing, but as God’s promised presence and a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. This means you are never alone; God Himself dwells within you, marking you as His own and assuring you of your future with Him. The Spirit’s presence is not dependent on rituals or perfection, but on God’s faithfulness to His promise, offering you assurance, comfort, and guidance every day. [09:52]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
"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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: How does knowing the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of your belonging and future with Him change the way you approach your daily life and challenges?
Day 3: Surrender—Letting the Holy Spirit Lead
Surrendering to the Holy Spirit is not about striving for more supernatural experiences, but about giving more of yourself to God—releasing control, letting go of your need to manage outcomes, and making space for the Spirit to work in and through you. As you open yourself to Him, you may experience peace, clarity, or even healing, but most importantly, you allow God to shape your heart and life. This daily act of surrender is a journey, not a one-time event, and it’s in the letting go that the Spirit fills you more deeply. [18:49]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are holding tightly to control? What would it look like to surrender that area to the Holy Spirit today?
Day 4: Discernment—Hearing the Spirit’s Voice Amid the Noise
Discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit can be challenging amid the noise of our own thoughts, the world, and even the enemy’s subtle lies. The Spirit’s voice leads toward love, truth, and drawing closer to God, while other voices may lead to harm, self-promotion, or isolation. Creating moments of stillness—quieting your heart, listening, and making space for God—enables you to better recognize and respond to the Spirit’s gentle guidance in your life. [31:29]
1 Corinthians 2:11-12 (ESV)
"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."
Reflection: When and where can you intentionally create a moment of stillness this week to listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice, and what distractions do you need to set aside to do so?
Day 5: Walking by the Spirit—Living Out the Fruit
Walking by the Spirit is a daily practice of choosing to follow God’s leading rather than the desires of the flesh, which do not simply disappear after salvation. The evidence of the Spirit’s work in your life is seen in the fruit you bear—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As you grow, you may not be perfect, but your life will increasingly reflect these qualities, showing that the Spirit is alive and active within you. [42:18]
Galatians 5:19-25 (ESV)
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you most desire to see grow in your life right now, and what is one practical step you can take today to nurture that fruit?
Quotes
If we're just always engaging in the world, we just simply aren't listening enough to hear God's voice, right? Because He's there, right? Like, we always wonder, like, is, you know, God, come, you know, will you come? Will you help me? He's like, I am right. Right, I'm right. I'm like not only is he with us he's in us yeah that's how close that's how intimate uh he is. [00:33:23] (30 seconds)
When you become a Christian, when you become saved, the things that you love to do before that don't go away, right? The things that what Paul calls the flesh, right? That where there's this tension between the flesh and the spirit, right? Like those things of the flesh, they don't go away. It's not like we no longer want to do these things. It's just that we've got to learn and give ourselves grace, right? Receive the grace of Jesus as we take those steps forward into the spirit. [00:38:42] (27 seconds)
It looks like these fruits of the spirit, right? We won't do it perfectly. It just means that our lives, the way that we engage each other, right, the engage truthfully, the way that we engage ourselves sometimes, yeah, it breathes out, lives out these fruits of the spirit. [00:42:18] (16 seconds)
Chatbot
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