The Holy Spirit has 2 sets of roles in the believer’s life: Sanctification – To make us more like Christ (Inward role) and Witnessing – To enable us to witness and minister to people both inside and outside the church (Outward role)
1. At the Last Passover Meal in the Upper Room, Jesus instructed his 11 disciples to:
a) Abide in Him (John 15:4-5)
b) Be His friends (John 15:14)
Results: Then they would enjoy fruitfulness, answered prayers, victories, joy, and peace, even while they faced a hostile world and an uncertain future.
2. Why would Jesus give them such instructions when He knew that He would soon depart from their midst? What was God’s intention in sending forth the Holy Spirit into the disciples’ lives? (John 14:15-19, 16:7)
3. The Holy Spirit in the disciples’ lives:
a) He was described as their “Parakletos” – Helper, Advocate, Comforter, Counsellor, Alongsider (John 14:16)
b) He was also called the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6, Acts 16:6-7, 1 Peter 1:11)
4. When the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us, He does the following in us:
a) Assures us that we are God’s children (Romans 8:15-16)
b) Teaches us all about God and Christ (John 14:26, 16:13)
c) Guides us in the way to go (Acts 16:6-7, Romans 8:14)
d) Comforts us with joy, peace and hope (John 14:16, Romans 15:13)
e) Strengthens us in the inner being (Ephesians 3:16, 20)
f) Prepares us to face future difficulties (John 16:13, Acts 11:28, 27:23-26)
g) Energises us to live godly lives (Galatians 5:22-23)
h) Enables us to pray God’s prayer (Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18).
5. God gives us His indwelling Spirit so that we may live an abundant and fruitful life, just like what Jesus experienced when He allowed the Holy Spirit to work through Him (Luke 4:14, 18-20) – He exhorted believers to continually depend on God – living by the Spirit, keeping in step with the Spirit, abiding in Christ, practicing / hosting the presence of God.
6. Yet many Christians are unable to live such abundant and fruitful lives in the Spirit. Why?
a) Not understanding the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer (Hosea 4:6)
b) Quenching the Holy Spirit with unbelief (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
c) Grieving the Spirit with sins (Ephesians 4:30-31)
d) Failing to give the Holy Spirit our full attention (Psalm 123:1-2).
7. How can I live and keep in step with the Holy Spirit? (Galatians 5:16, 25)
a) I acknowledge the indwelling Holy Spirit as both my Lord and Friend. Someone whom I can interact with.
b) I start the day with Him in prayer and worship, I read the Word. I commit my day to Him.
c) I long to be sensitive to His leading wherever I go. When I hear His prompting, I obey quickly.
d) When I am in a bind, I seek His wisdom. I wait for His cue before I move forward.
e) When I face a temptation, I ask Him for power to overcome it.
f) When I make a mistake or commit a sin, I promptly confess my mistake or sin.
g) When I do well in life and ministry, I thank the Spirit for His blessing.
h) Before I go to bed, I thank Him for walking with me through the day. I clear whatever spiritual garbage I may have picked up from the world before I sleep.
Discussion Questions
1 a. Who, to you, is the Holy Spirit? b. Pastor Lionel shared about the different things the Holy Spirit does in and through us as He dwells in us. Choose a word to represent the Holy Spirit’s role in your life and share the reason for your choice. [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: An ice-breaking question for members to share about their understanding of the Holy Spirit. Question (b) is for members to share deeper about an experience they had with regards to the Holy Spirit. Based on Pastor Lionel Goh’s reference to John 14:16, the Holy Spirit has been termed “Parakletos”, that is, Alongsider, Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Counsellor, Intercessor, etc. Leaders may also wish to get members to share more about how their understanding of the Holy Spirit may have changed as they matured in their faith.
2. Pastor Lionel shared four situations that Christians face in not living the abundant and fruitful life that we can have in the Spirit. Do you relate to any of these? Share your experience with the cell. [10 min]
- Not understanding the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer (Hosea 4:6)
- Quenching the Holy Spirit with unbelief (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
- Grieving the Spirit with sins (Ephesians 4:30-31)
- Failing to give the Holy Spirit our full attention (Psalm 123:1-2).
Leader’s Notes: A relate question. Every believer will face these situations at one point of time in their Christian growth and it is important to walk it through with God. Have members share what was one cause that contributed to the situation and how has knowing the cause, helped them to be more conscientious in their faith or prayer life?
3. Read Galatians 5:13-23. Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” How can we partner with the Holy Spirit to enable us to ‘walk by the Spirit’ everyday? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: A reflect question. Pastor Lionel mentioned that when the Holy Spirit indwells us, He energises us to live godly lives. According to Galatians 5:13-23, Paul highlighted that as believers, we will struggle with the desires of our flesh against the Spirit. 2ndly, we can tell from our deeds, behavior or conduct if that carry evidence of the Holy Spirit’s (sanctification) work in our lives.
- How well do you think you are living life in the Holy Spirit?
- What do you hope to see more of the Holy Spirit do in(side) you?
- List one struggle you have which tempt you to act according to the desires of the flesh. If unsure, refer to Galatians 5:19-21. Or you can check with people who are close to you.
- Why do you oppose what the Holy Spirit wants to do in you?
4. What is one / two areas of your life you want to commit to keeping in step with the Spirit? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a response question as a follow-through from Q3. Have members state clearly the specific area they wish to commit to the Holy Spirit’s help. Leader may get members to break into small groups to share more if time permits and to pray for one another.
