Helper
Message of August 23, 2020
Helper: The Holy Spirit
John 16:1-15
Read John 16:1-4
- In these verses, which follow and continue the section from last week’s message on the world’s hate, what did Jesus say he wanted his followers to know or do?
- This is not the only place in the New Testament that speaks of the world’s opposition to Jesus, his message, and his followers. How do you think we should respond to this hate and opposition? (See Matthew 5:43-44, for example).
- As Christians, are there times when we should stand up for our rights? Are there times when God may have some purpose in our suffering that is greater than our rights? How can we decide what to do? Explain.
Read John 16:5-7
- What did Jesus mean in verse 7, when he said, “It is to your advantage that I go away”? Would we be better off today if Jesus were here on earth among us? Explain.
Read John 16:8-11
- Verse 8 says the Helper, who is the Spirit of truth (v. 13) will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Can he do that without our help? Should our message support this conviction, or should our words be full of grace and hope, or should we speak a balance of conviction and hope?
- What does Jesus say about sin in verse 9? Compare and contrast this with the way the world typically thinks about sin.
- What does Jesus say about righteousness in verse 10? Compare and contrast this with the way the world typically thinks about righteousness.
- What does Jesus say about judgment in verse 11? Compare and contrast this with the way the world typically thinks about judgment.
- What promises do you find in verses 16-17? What do you think it means when Jesus calls this Helper the “Spirit of truth”? How does this make us different from “the world,” that is, people who do not know Jesus as we do?
Read John 16:12-15
- Verse 8-11 spoke of the Spirit’s message to the world. In this section, what do we discover is the Spirit’s message to believers?
- How have you experienced the Spirit guiding you into truth? How might he do this using Scripture? How might he do it more directly, without a specific Scripture passage?
- From verse 14, how does the Spirit glorify Jesus? Compare John 15:26. How do we glorify Jesus today?
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Dan Stephenson
