Have you ever felt lonely—even in a crowd? Without companionship? Especially when facing a death, or disease, or divorce, or some disaster? In the past three years, I have become a widow…and an orphan…while at the same time facing some of my life’s greatest challenges. Yet I have experienced the companionship of the Holy Spirit in a deep, vibrant relationship that has been a constant source of joy, peace, and comfort. It’s worth getting to know the One who is Jesus in me…and in you.
I. HIS COMPANIONSHIP BRINGS COMFORT
- From John 16:5-7, why did the disciples need comfort? Put their feelings into your own words.
A. COMFORT OF HIS PERSON
- What pronouns—and how many—does this passage use in speaking of the Holy Spirit? What does this teach you about the Holy Spirit?
- What do the following passages tell us about names in Scripture? Genesis 32:27-28; Matthew 1:21; Matthew 16:17-18
- List four names for the Holy Spirit from John 16:6, 7(KJV),13, and 14:26.
- Give the dictionary definition for each name, then write out in your own words how it describes an aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work or character.
- Assign each of the following verses to one of the names of the Holy Spirit, and apply each verse to your own life: 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; James 1:5.
- Which of His names is most meaningful to you, and why?
B. COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE
- What promise did Jesus give His disciples in John 16:7? 14:16-17? From the following verses, how would this be different from the Old Testament experience of the Holy Spirit: Numbers 11:25; Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13 with Psalm 51:11?
- Did Jesus keep His promise? Describe the scene in Acts 2:1-21.
- Although Pentecost was an historical event never to be repeated like the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, when does the Holy Spirit come into a person’s life? See Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14. Once you have received the Holy Spirit, is His presence temporary or
permanent, according to these verses?
II. HIS COMPANIONSHIP BRINGS CHANGE
- What difference did the Holy Spirit make at Creation? Compare Genesis 1:2 with 1:3-31. Do you think His power is less today?
A. HE CHANGES ME
- From the following verses, how does the Holy Spirit bring about change in our lives: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 7:6; 8:5-6; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, Ephesians 6:17-18; Philippians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Jude 20; Revelation 2:29?
- What command does Ephesians 4:30 give us in reference to the Holy Spirit? Explain this command in your own words. (If we only grieve for those we genuinely care about and love, what does this tell you about the Holy Spirit’s relationship with every believer?)
- What command does God give us in Ephesians 5:18? Give phrases from Ephesians 5:1, 2, 10, 15, 17, and 20 that help us understand how to obey this command.
- From Galatians 5:22-25 and Acts 4:31, what evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling should others be able to see in our lives?
B. HE CHANGES OTHERS
- How does the Holy Spirit change others, according to Jesus in John 16:8-11? Based on these verses, do you think guilt is a good or a bad thing?
- Of what three things does Jesus say the Holy Spirit convicts the world? Put each of them into your own words. Apply this to the unsaved people on your prayer list.
- If the Holy Spirit’s responsibility is to convict the world of guilt and convince the world of truth, what would be the most effective way to bring about change in another person’s life?
- Describe the change in Peter’s life before he received the Spirit from John 18:15-18, 25-27 and after he received the Spirit in Acts 4:8-13.
- If God the Holy Spirit can transform Peter, why do you think He cannot change your loved one?
Ask the Father now to give you a fresh experience of the Holy Spirit as your life’s companion.
This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2019 Newsletter.
