Loving the Person Of the Holy Spirit

One of my deepest, richest joys has been discovering by experience who the Holy Spirit is in every step of my life’s journey. ~ Anne Graham Lotz, Jesus in Me, page 9

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Day 1 3-Question Study—John 14:21-24

Day 2 3-Question Study—John 14:25-27

Day 3 3-Question Study—John 16:5-7

Day 4 3-Question Study—Romans 8:9-11

Day 5 3-Question Study—Romans 8:12-17

Day 6 Reflection, Video

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. — 1 Peter 1:8

INDIVIDUAL STUDY INTRODUCTION

I’ve heard the Holy Spirit spoken of as an “it,” a feeling, a dove, a flame of fire, a ghost, an emotion, or even an ecstatic experience. He is referred to as the third Person of the Trinity, as though He is the least of the Trinity, or a postscript to the more significant Father and Son. All of which is inaccurate.

While the Holy Spirit may be symbolized by a dove or flame of fire, while His presence may be accompanied by an emotion or feeling or ecstatic experience, He Himself is distinctly separate from those things. The Holy Spirit is not a thing but a Person.

So at the outset of our exploration of who the Holy Spirit is, keep in mind that He is a living Person who has a mind, a will, and emotions. He is referred to as the third Person of the Trinity not because He is the least, but because He is the third Person to be more fully revealed in Scripture. I can’t wait for you to get to know Him better… Session 2

DAY 1

STEP 1

Read God’s Word

What Does God’s Word Say?

STEP 2

(Look at the Passage.)

(List the Facts.)

John 14:21-24

1. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
2. Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
3. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
4. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

STEP 3

What Does God’s Word Mean? (Learn the Lessons.)

STEP 4

What Does God’s Word Mean in My Life? (Listen to His Voice.)

STEP 5: Live in Obedient Response to God’s Word (What will you do about what God has said?)

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DAY 2

STEP 1

Read God’s Word

What Does God’s Word Say?

STEP 2

(Look at the Passage.)

(List the Facts.)

John 14:25-27

25 All this I have spoken while still with you.

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

STEP 3

What Does God’s Word Mean? (Learn the Lessons.)

STEP 4

What Does God’s Word Mean in My Life? (Listen to His Voice.)

STEP 5: Live in Obedient Response to God’s Word (What will you do about what God has said?)

Date: _______

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DAY 3

STEP 1

Read God’s Word

What Does God’s Word Say?

STEP 2

(Look at the Passage.)

(List the Facts.)

John 16:5–7

5 But now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

STEP 3

What Does God’s Word Mean? (Learn the Lessons.)

STEP 4

What Does God’s Word Mean in My Life? (Listen to His Voice.)

STEP 5: Live in Obedient Response to God’s Word (What will you do about what God has said?)

Date: _______

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DAY 4

STEP 1

Read God’s Word

What Does God’s Word Say?

STEP 2

(Look at the Passage.)

(List the Facts.)

Romans 8:9–11

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh, but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed
the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

1. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
2. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

STEP 3

What Does God’s Word Mean? (Learn the Lessons.)

STEP 4

What Does God’s Word Mean in My Life? (Listen to His Voice.)

STEP 5: Live in Obedient Response to God’s Word (What will you do about what God has said?)

Date: _______

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DAY 5

STEP 1

Read God’s Word

What Does God’s Word Say?

STEP 2

(Look at the Passage.)

(List the Facts.)

Romans 8:12-17

1. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
2. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
3. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
4. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
5. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit, that we are God’s children.
6. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—
   heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed
   we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

STEP 3

What Does God’s Word Mean? (Learn the Lessons.)

STEP 4

What Does God’s Word Mean in My Life? (Listen to His Voice.)

STEP 5: Live in Obedient Response to God’s Word (What will you do about what God has said?)

Date: _______

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DAY 6

STEP 1

Read God’s Word

What Does God’s Word Say?

STEP 2

(Look at the Passage.)

(List the Facts.)

REFLECTION

Record and journal the following from your study this week about the Person of the Holy Spirit.

The Scripture that stood out to you:

The lesson that stood out to you:

The one Live in Obedient Response to God’s Word that you committed to this week:

One thing I know for certain: The Holy Spirit is not an optional extra in my Christian life. He is a divine necessity. ~ Anne Graham Lotz, Jesus in Me, page 3

GROUP STUDY Welcome to session 2 of the Jesus in Me study!

NOTE: You just completed your first week of individual Bible study. If the 3-question study technique was new to your group, consider taking a few moments sharing thoughts on the experience before you dive into this week’s video teaching. If anyone has questions or concerns about the individual study time, it is likely someone else feels the same way. Spend the time now to find resolution and answers together, so the remainder of this study can be productive and fruitful for everyone.

My prayer for you as we go through this study is that God Himself will draw near to you and you will experience the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit in a fresh new way. And as a result, you will come to love Him even more.

As we begin, let’s open our Bibles and listen for the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is wonderful. He is our Helper. He is our Comforter. He is our Counselor. He is our Strengthener. Our Standby. Our Advocate. Our Intercessor. He is another Jesus . . . Jesus living in us.

This week we begin our study by exploring the PERSON of the Holy Spirit.

WATCH VIDEO SESSION 2 (18 MINUTES)

Use this space to take notes if you like:

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is something in the video teaching that either was striking or new to you?
2. Refer to your individual Bible studies this past week. What was one of the most significant lessons you recorded related to the Holy Spirit as a Person and why was it significant? To which verse did it relate?
3. How does the truth that the Holy Spirit is a Person change your perception of Him? Why do you think it is important to know the Holy Spirit as a living, thinking, feeling Person?
4. We heard multiple names by which the Holy Spirit is referred to in Scripture. Which of His names is most meaningful to you and why?

WRAP UP

CLOSING PRAYER: Facilitator, pray over your group.
MOVING FORWARD: Review the next week’s schedule on the page 32.

BLESSING & ENCOURAGEMENT: Finally, close your group meeting by reading the following blessing and encouragement over them before dismissing.

May your heart and mind be softened to the Person of the Holy Spirit so that he can “Teach you and remind you of everything Jesus said.” — John 14:26

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GOING DEEPER

To continue your study of the PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, read Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion, Part 1 (pages 5–44).

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Your Turn

Let us know your thoughts on Jesus In Me. We’d love to hear from you!