Bible Reading
John 14:15-27 “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. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered him, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
[28:35]Galatians 5:16-25 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 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.”
[45:03]Ephesians 1:13-14 “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.”
[42:08]Observation questions
- In John 14:15–27, what names and roles does Jesus give the Holy Spirit, and what does each one show about how the Spirit relates to believers? [35:31]
- What repeated promises in John 14 address the disciples’ fear that Jesus’ departure would leave them alone?
- In Ephesians 1:13–14, what happens when people hear the gospel and believe, and what does the Spirit’s seal guarantee? [42:28]
- In Galatians 5:16–25, what contrast does Paul draw between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit? What instruction does he give believers after listing the fruit? [47:26]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Jesus connect loving him and keeping his commands with the promise of the Advocate? How does the Spirit change obedience from a performance project into a relationship with God? [28:47]
- What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is both “with” and “in” believers? How might that truth speak to a believer who feels isolated, abandoned, or spiritually dry? [41:34]
- Galatians describes an ongoing conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. Why is struggle with temptation not, by itself, proof that the Holy Spirit is absent from a believer’s life? [48:09]
- Ephesians describes the Holy Spirit as a seal and a deposit of a believer’s inheritance. How does that security shape the way a believer responds after failure, doubt, or fluctuating feelings? [43:21]
Application questions
- Where are you most tempted to rely on willpower, a checklist, or trying harder to change—such as an addiction, anger, selfishness, or a strained relationship? What would it look like to bring that area honestly to the Holy Spirit this week? [40:42]
- Which fruit of the Spirit do you most want to see grow in your life right now? Think of one specific setting—a home conversation, workplace pressure, traffic, or online interaction—where that fruit is needed.
- Is there a recent moment when you talked instead of listened, justified yourself instead of apologizing, or reacted instead of showing self-control? What might keeping in step with the Spirit look like if a similar moment happens this week? [50:12]
- When feelings say that you are alone, unloved, or abandoned, what truth from John 14 do you need to remember? Who could help remind you of that truth when those feelings are strong? [41:42]
- Where might you be resisting the Holy Spirit’s work in your character or choices? Spend a moment considering the prayer, “Holy Spirit, show me where I’m resisting you,” and share only what you are comfortable sharing. [51:13]
- How is God inviting you to be a witness for Jesus in your everyday places—at home, among friends, at work, or in your neighborhood? What is one practical act of love, service, or courageous conversation you could take this week? [52:49]
- Spiritual gifts help believers serve, but spiritual fruit shows whether they are becoming like Jesus. How can this group encourage one another to pursue both usefulness in service and Christlike character, especially love? [57:44]
