Theme:
The Holy Spirit
Title:
What does the Holy Spirit do?
Desired Outcomes:
This uGroup message is focused on teaching members who the Holy Spirit is, by understanding what He does, so that we can know Him better. Many believers simply think the Holy Spirit is some spiritual being, a ghost of a sort. They don’t know that the Holy Spirit is one of the three “individuals” who are all distinct, but equally God.
Core Scriptures:
- John 16:7 – Comforter & Helper
- John 16:3 – He teaches the truth
- John 14:26 – He reminds us
- John 16:8 – He convicts us
- Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 4:16 – He regenerates us
- Genesis 1:2; Psalms 104:30 – He took part in creation
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21 – The Holy Spirit Inspired Scripture
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 – He baptizes believers into the Church
- Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:11-14 – We bare His fruit and He gives gifts
- Acts 1:8; 1 Kings 18:46 – He gives power
- 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:9 – He makes us Holy
Welcome:
Any fun and welcoming Icebreaker that gets the members moving, on their feet, where all the members can participate in. If there are new members be careful not to create a space where they feel exposed or uncomfortable.
Word:
Don’t focus on all the core scriptures, this will only tire your members out.
Choose some of the core scriptures that are relevant to your life and those lives of your members. Elaborate on these specific scriptures. You can also make it personal by using examples from your own life.
- The following could be relevant questions to ask:
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What does the Holy Spirit do?
- Which functions of the Holy Spirit are most prevalent in your life? Which functions are not?
- Some points you might consider:
1. He is our Comforter, our Helper
John 16:7 – The Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus ascended to Heaven to help us to comfort us, to guide us (keep in mind that He was already present on earth beforehand, David refers to Him many times). Just like Jesus was to His disciples, the Holy Spirit is now to us.
2. He Teaches Truth
John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit is the one who breaks open God’s Word for us, who reveals God’s truths to us. The Holy Spirit is the one who enables words that are dead, to become alive in us (2 Cor. 3:6).
3. He Reminds Us
John 14:26 – The Spirit is the one who reminds us of God’s word. Start asking and trusting Him to remind you of the Scripture “you always forget”. The Holy Spirit also gives you knowledge and wisdom (or reminds you thereof) in an instant when you are confronted (Mat. 10:19; Luk. 12:11).
4. He Convicts Us
John 16:8 – Often the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin.
5. He Regenerates Us
Titus 3:5 – After accepting Jesus as our Saviour, His blood washes us clean. But it’s the Holy Spirit that renews/regenerates the spirit that was dead inside of us so that we are “born again”. Paul also teaches that his spirit is renewed each day, undoubtedly by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 4:16). Although his flesh is weak (2 Cor. 4:16), he aligned his flesh with God’s will, and therefore he could run an enduring race to God’s plan/destination.
6. We bare His Fruit and He Gives Gifts
Galatians 5:22-23, Corinthians 12:11-14, The result of living a repented life, pursuing Christ in everything that we do and placing Him first, is that we bare the Fruit of the Spirit. However, by His grace and as He wills, the Holy Spirit gives us all various gifts for His purposes.
7. He Gives power
Acts 1:8 – There is a lot of Scripture that show how the Spirit gives us power. The power includes both physical and spiritual power. Samson received physical power throughout the book of Judges and Elijah could outrun a chariot pulled by horses (1 Kings. 18:46). In a similar fashion, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to preach the gospel, to cast out demons, to do miracles and wonders, etc.