Before we get too into today’s discussion, take a minute to talk about your involvement in this year’s Hope Tree.
Be part of providing Christmas presents to kids in our community! Just tap the link below to get your kids!
Has someone new ever moved into your neighborhood? What did you do to make that person feel welcome? How did you get to know him or her?
The Holy Spirit has moved in to take up residence in your life. What steps have you taken to get to know Him? How have you learned to hear His voice, to understand what He says? To respond to His work in your life?
“If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
John 14:15-17 NLT
17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
Why do you think Jesus called the Holy Spirit an “advocate?” (other translations might say “counselor.”) What sort of counseling might we need? (hint: think courtroom)
Why can’t the world see or know the Holy Spirit?
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.
Acts 19:1-4 NLT
“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.
And they replied, “The baptism of John.”
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”
(this story continued, below.)
Of whom do you think these people were disciples? Why wouldn’t they have received the Holy Spirit?
What is the difference between John’s baptism and Christian baptism?
Let’s pick up with Paul in Ephesus again…
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Acts 19:5-7 NLT
Why do you think that these disciples decided to be baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus?
Why hadn’t the Holy Spirit indwelled the disciples before they were baptized in Jesus’ name?
In your experience, how have you experienced the guidance, the counseling, the advocacy of the Holy Spirit? Is it through the Word of God?
How do you know when this is happening?
In what other ways has the Holy Spirit been active in your life?