Lesson Ten • A Helper
Patrick Bicknell
Before we begin this week’s lesson, I want you to discuss something as a group. List and talk through out loud all the things that you think the Holy Spirit does.
If it took you a minute to think of things that the Holy Spirit does, do not feel worried, you are not alone. The same thing happened to me. I remember I was counseling with a student and we were walking through how to fight off sin. I kept repeating the phrase, “Rely on the Holy Spirit.” He stopped me after I said it a couple of times and he goes, “Okay, how do I do that? What does the Holy Spirit do for me?” I was stuck when he asked me this. I thought to myself, “How could I not answer this question when the Holy Spirit is God and should be one of the most essential parts of our walk with Christ.” In this lesson, we are going to discuss what the Holy Spirit does for us as Jesus described Him.
Read John 14:15-17, 25.
1. Who is the “Helper” in verse 16?
2. Do you believe the Holy Spirit or the “Helper” is the same as Jesus? How do you think they are different and alike? What are some similarities and differences that you think Jesus and the Holy Spirit have?
3. According to these verses, how can we know that we have received this “Helper?”
During this passage of Scripture, Jesus is in what we now call the “upper room.” This is where Jesus and His disciples spent the night of Jesus’ betrayal. Here is where Jesus is talking to them about the Holy Spirit and He continues His encouragement to them in John chapter 16. Read John 16:5-11.
4. Why would Jesus say it is to their “advantage” that He goes away?
5. For you, right now, do you feel it is an “advantage” for Jesus to have gone away and sent the “Helper?” Would you rather have Jesus physically here in this world, or would you rather have the Holy Spirit being with us?
6. According to verse 8, the world has a misunderstanding about three things. What are they?
7. Can you define what “sin,” “righteousness,” and “judgment” are?
8. What are some ways that the Holy Spirit helps to correct our understanding of these things?
One of the main roles of the Holy Spirit is to open our eyes to the spiritual truths of this world that our sin has made us blind to. In Romans chapter 1, Paul tells us that our hearts have been darkened to the truths about God. The passage continues that we have suppressed knowledge of Him and that He has given us up to the foolishness of our sins. The only way for us to have our eyes opened is through the working of the Holy Spirit. So the question then is how do we receive this “Helper?”
Read Romans 5:1-5.
9. How are we “justified” before God?
10. What has Jesus Christ done for us so that we can now have “peace with God?”
11. According to verse 5, Who has been given to us when we put our faith in Jesus?
There are many other things that the Holy Spirit does for us that we can spend days studying, cherishing, and worshiping. As you all get prepared to finish up this lesson, I just want you to read a few verses and discuss them for a moment.
• Romans 8:16
• Romans 8:26
• Ephesians 3:16-19
If you feel that you have not truly put your faith in Christ and have not received the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to go talk to a leader. Some of us may just need a reminder, as Romans 8:16 says, that we are “children of God.” However, some of you may have not put your faith in Jesus and today could be the day that everything changes for you. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will move in your life and lead you to faith in Him.
If it took you a minute to think of things that the Holy Spirit does, do not feel worried, you are not alone. The same thing happened to me. I remember I was counseling with a student and we were walking through how to fight off sin. I kept repeating the phrase, “Rely on the Holy Spirit.” He stopped me after I said it a couple of times and he goes, “Okay, how do I do that? What does the Holy Spirit do for me?” I was stuck when he asked me this. I thought to myself, “How could I not answer this question when the Holy Spirit is God and should be one of the most essential parts of our walk with Christ.” In this lesson, we are going to discuss what the Holy Spirit does for us as Jesus described Him.
Read John 14:15-17, 25.
1. Who is the “Helper” in verse 16?
2. Do you believe the Holy Spirit or the “Helper” is the same as Jesus? How do you think they are different and alike? What are some similarities and differences that you think Jesus and the Holy Spirit have?
3. According to these verses, how can we know that we have received this “Helper?”
During this passage of Scripture, Jesus is in what we now call the “upper room.” This is where Jesus and His disciples spent the night of Jesus’ betrayal. Here is where Jesus is talking to them about the Holy Spirit and He continues His encouragement to them in John chapter 16. Read John 16:5-11.
4. Why would Jesus say it is to their “advantage” that He goes away?
5. For you, right now, do you feel it is an “advantage” for Jesus to have gone away and sent the “Helper?” Would you rather have Jesus physically here in this world, or would you rather have the Holy Spirit being with us?
6. According to verse 8, the world has a misunderstanding about three things. What are they?
7. Can you define what “sin,” “righteousness,” and “judgment” are?
8. What are some ways that the Holy Spirit helps to correct our understanding of these things?
One of the main roles of the Holy Spirit is to open our eyes to the spiritual truths of this world that our sin has made us blind to. In Romans chapter 1, Paul tells us that our hearts have been darkened to the truths about God. The passage continues that we have suppressed knowledge of Him and that He has given us up to the foolishness of our sins. The only way for us to have our eyes opened is through the working of the Holy Spirit. So the question then is how do we receive this “Helper?”
Read Romans 5:1-5.
9. How are we “justified” before God?
10. What has Jesus Christ done for us so that we can now have “peace with God?”
11. According to verse 5, Who has been given to us when we put our faith in Jesus?
There are many other things that the Holy Spirit does for us that we can spend days studying, cherishing, and worshiping. As you all get prepared to finish up this lesson, I just want you to read a few verses and discuss them for a moment.
• Romans 8:16
• Romans 8:26
• Ephesians 3:16-19
If you feel that you have not truly put your faith in Christ and have not received the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to go talk to a leader. Some of us may just need a reminder, as Romans 8:16 says, that we are “children of God.” However, some of you may have not put your faith in Jesus and today could be the day that everything changes for you. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will move in your life and lead you to faith in Him.