God the Holy Spirit - Doctrine in Twelve Weeks
A Study on God the Spirit - Leader Guide and Handout
Consider beginning your study with a devotional reading of John 14:16-17, reflecting on Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Advocate.
God the Holy Spirit, also called the Holy Ghost, is often the least discussed and most misunderstood Person of the Trinity. However, His role is vital in the life of every believer and the Church as a whole. This session, we will explore the key relationships and roles of the Holy Spirit, affirming His Personhood and equal status within the Trinity. Understanding the Holy Spirit's nature and work is crucial for our spiritual growth and effectiveness as followers of Christ.
Show this diagram to your group to open up a conversation about the Trinity, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s place in it. Additionally, consider discussing how unity, diversity (of persons), and equality (in divinity) are necessary in an orthodox understanding of the Trinity.
You may want to ask the following questions to your study group to foster discussion. Teach from the answers provided to help facilitate the study, reading the passages mentioned to ground the conversation in the Scriptures.
Relationships
How is the Spirit related to the Father? (Matthew 3:16-17)
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father. He eternally proceeds from God the Father. This eternal procession indicates an ongoing, dynamic relationship within the Godhead. The Spirit carries out the Father's will and manifests His presence in the world.
How is the Spirit related to the Son? (John 15:26)
The Holy Spirit is sent by the Son and testifies about Him (John 16:13-15). The Spirit is also called the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), highlighting the unity within the Trinity. During Jesus' earthly ministry, the Spirit empowered and guided Him (Luke 4:1). Now, the Spirit continues Christ's work by indwelling believers and transforming them into Christ's image.
How is the Spirit related to humanity? (John 16:8)
The Holy Spirit relates to humanity primarily through believers but also through various other aspects of God's revelation, including the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16), prophecy (2 Pet. 1:20-21), and even creation itself (Rom. 1:20). He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). The Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21) and reveals God's truth to people. Even in creation, we can glimpse the Spirit's work as He brings order and beauty (Genesis 1:2).
What God the Holy Spirit Does
What is God the Spirit's involvement in the Church? (1 Corinthians 12:13)
The Holy Spirit is intimately connected with the Church, uniting believers as one body in Christ. He empowers the Church for ministry, distributes spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), and guides the Church in truth (John 16:13). The Spirit's presence makes the Church a unique, Spirit-filled community that manifests God's presence in the world.
As the Body of Christ, we would expect that the Holy Spirit is the Church’s spirit. The Spirit seeks to carry out everything that the Father wills and the Son does through the Church. This is exactly why local churches are a vital way in which the Holy Spirit works to sanctify Believers. Consider 1 Corinthians 2:10-16. The church is to be full of people who have received the Spirit and the message of the Spirit. In this way, the Church is a radically different organization than anything that the world has to offer.
How does God the Spirit relate to Christians now? (Acts 2:38)
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer at the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 3:16). He is the seal and guarantee of our inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit fills believers (Ephesians 5:18), enabling them to live godly lives and bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). He intercedes for us in prayer (Romans 8:26) and guides us in understanding God's truth (John 16:13). Furthermore, Christians are being regenerated by the Spirit (Titus 3:5), and are to bear Spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23, Eph. 5:9, Col. 1:10) accordingly.
How has the nature of God the Spirit been revealed to us? (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16)
The Holy Spirit's nature is revealed primarily through Scripture, which He inspired. While mysterious in some aspects, the Spirit is clearly portrayed as a divine Person with intelligence, emotions, and will. He teaches, reminds, and guides (John 14:26), can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and makes decisions (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Spirit's work in regenerating and sanctifying believers also reveals His nature as the life-giving, transforming presence of God.
The Trinity in The Church (Ephesians 4:4-6)
The Triune God works in perfect harmony within the Church. God the Father is the one to whom the Church offers praise and worship, being reconciled to Him through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). God the Son is the foundation and head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:20). The Holy Spirit is the giver of spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4) and the Helper who empowers and guides the Church in its mission.
Conversation Starters
After working through the study, open the conversation to questions, or pose some of the following conversation starters to the group.
Are you indwelt by the Holy Spirit? Are you filled with the Spirit?
In what ways can we be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance?
How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a Person of the Trinity, rather than as just a force, change how we relate to Him?
What are some practical ways we can "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25) in our daily lives?
What "we believe" statements can we make as a study group about God the Holy Spirit?
The Apostles' Creed is one of the earliest formulations of doctrine, and it is still recited and confessed all around the world in various churches to this day. Together with your group, consider confessing the Apostles' Creed, focusing on the core elements of doctrine that unite all Christians. Conclude with a prayer for the group and for the study.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
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