Discussion Starters:
Would you say that you are patient or that you hate waiting?
What’s something in your life that you have really had to wait for?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
For a long time in the church the person and work of the Holy Spirit has been:
Ignored
Sometimes a greater concentration on the Father and the Son, but the Holy Spirit is biblical and third person of the Trinity.
Misunderstood
“Holy Ghost” sounds like an impersonal force. But the Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it.”
Resisted
Fear of what He does, but the Holy Spirit is gentle.
1. He was involved in creation.
- Bringing order out of chaos (Genesis 1:1–2)
- The Creator Spirit—giving life to mankind (Genesis 2:7)
2. He came upon particular people at particular times for particular tasks.
- Bezalel—for artistic work (Exodus 31:1–5)
- Gideon—for leadership (Judges 6:14–15, 34)
- Samson—for strength and power (Judges 15:14)
- Isaiah—for prophecy (Isaiah 61:1–3)
3. He was promised by the Father
The promise of a “new thing”
- “I will put my Spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26–27)
- “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26–27)
- “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28–29)
However, the prophecies remained unfulfilled for at least 300 years.
With the coming of Jesus there is a great activity of the Spirit—not just for particular people at particular times but for everyone.
Everyone surrounding the birth of Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit:
- Mary (Luke 1:35)
- Elizabeth (Luke 1:41)
- John the Baptist (Luke 3:16)
4. John the Baptist links him with Jesus.
“John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’” (Luke 3:16)
Jesus was filled with the Spirit
Jesus received power through the anointing of the Holy Spirit at His baptism. (Luke 3:22; Luke 4:1,14,18)
5. Jesus predicts his presence. (John 7:37–39)
However, He tells them to wait for the gift promised by the Father
(Acts 1:4–5,8; Luke 24:49).
At Pentecost the disciples were filled with the Spirit and received:
- New languages (Acts 2:4–12)
- New boldness (Acts 2:14)
- New power (Acts 2:37–41)
We live in the age of the Spirit. God has promised to give His Spirit to every Christian (Acts 2:37–39).
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flowing from within.”
(John 7:37–38)
Discussion
- What did you think about the video? Did anything stand out to you?
- How would you explain who the Holy Spirit is? What do you think about the idea that the Holy Spirit is a person?
- How do you feel about the idea of relating to God through the Holy Spirit? How would you say you currently relate to the Holy Spirit? What might it look like to have a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit?
- What do you think about the idea of having a “soft heart and hard feet,” instead of a “hard heart and soft feet”?
