Holy Who? - The Spirit Guides

Series: Holy Who?
The Spirit Guides by John Burke, November 11, 207

Whenever you hear about Ghosts or Spirits, it’s a good bet something might be mysterious. While God never intended for the Holy Spirit to be beyond understanding, there certainly seems to be a good bit of mystery, or at least confusion about who the Spirit is and what role He plays in the life of someone who believes and trusts in Jesus. John began this three-part series on the Holy Spirit, by introducing us to the role of the Holy Spirit as our life-line for God to guide is through our days.

1. John started by talking about the concept of the “Trinity” – the three personalities/dimensions of the same God. Now that’s a pretty difficult concept for finite people to grasp – but maybe some people in the group have wrestled with getting their mind around the idea and have some ways that helped them better understand the idea of the Trinity. Take 5-10 minutes to discuss possible ways to better grasp this phenomenal reality.

2. Now, what about the Holy Spirit? During the message we saw some video interviews of different peoples’ “definitions” of the Holy Spirit. Spend some time identifying some of the typical impressions people have of the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). What do people think the Holy Spirit IS? Spend about 10 minutes coming up with as many different impressions as you can.

3. John used the Bible, and Jesus’ own teaching to describe some of the roles of the Holy Spirit (see the Bible verses below – and if you have a Bible handy – it would be useful to read the whole passage of John 14:15 – 21 out loud.):

• He gives us life
• He marks us as children of God
• He teaches us
• He leads us
  

Each one of these roles is different. To try to better understand each role, spend some time talking about each one. First, what does it mean and why would God want to make sure we have His Spirit working in that way? Next, what type of impact does each role have in terms of our real lives? As you talk about each one, share any personal experiences that can illustrate how the Holy Spirit works in that way. (20 - 30 minutes)

4. John talked about the fact that we often don’t really experience the Holy Spirit in our lives – even though we have God’s promise that we automoatically get the Holy Spirit when we decide to follow Jesus. (John had two illustrations of this: getting glasses and the oil field in Iraan Texas. If anyone in the group was not there – others can describe these examples of not really benefiting from something you have.) What are different things that keep people from experiencing the Holy Spirit in their lives? (5 - 10 minutes)

5. John closed by asking “How willing are you?” - to let the Holy Spirit guide you, and play the role in your life that He wants to? This is also a very good way to close the group discussion. Take a few minutes for each person to think about the discussion. What might be keeping you from enjoying a fuller life with God through the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to know more of Him? If so, ask Him to put your glasses on and commit to asking His guidance over the next week – and onward. (5 minutes)

Bible verses from this message:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5

"Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness…So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:26-27

Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?""The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." 'If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" No one could say a word.
Matthew 22:41-46

[God] said, "Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me"…and the angel of his presence saved them…Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit.”
Isaiah 63:8-10

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:16-18

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him.)
John 7:37-39

Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
John 14:22-23

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people…In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”
Joel 2:28-29

“When you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people.”
Ephesians 1:13-14

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Psalm 32:8-9

Get more - go further:

Want a LARGER understanding of God? Check out Beyond the Cosmos by Hugh Ross. You can search for other books on-line at the Gateway Bookstore or look for books at the "reality" bookstore in the "Garage".

Remember - each Sunday's message is available by 5 PM on the day of the message. Past messages are also available for listening and download. Just go to Gateway's Sunday Messages. Free CD's of the messages will be available after the services at Gateway the following Sunday.