Week 14 - Spirit & Truth
Scripture
John 4:23-24
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection
This passage reminds us that God desires a deeper connection with us—not through rituals or external acts but through true worship in spirit and truth. The Spirit of God draws us into this kind of worship, revealing who God is and restoring our hearts to their original design: to love, enjoy, and glorify Him.
Often, we seek happiness in fleeting moments or external circumstances, but true joy and fulfillment come when we worship God with our whole being—our hearts, minds, and spirits. The Spirit of God wells up within us like a spring of living water, bringing life, peace, and joy that overflow into every area of our lives.
As we worship in spirit and truth, we discover that the happiness we long for is not found in the world’s promises but in God’s presence. Worship becomes the doorway to lasting joy.
Discussion Questions
How do you define happiness? How does your understanding of happiness compare to the joy found in worshiping God?
In what ways can you grow in worshiping God "in spirit and truth"?
What distractions or obstacles prevent you from fully experiencing joy in God’s presence? How can you overcome them this week?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us into true worship through Your Spirit. Help us to worship You in spirit and truth, finding joy and fulfillment in Your presence. Remove the distractions that pull us away from You, and remind us that our greatest happiness lies in knowing and loving You. May our lives be a reflection of Your Spirit at work within us, drawing others into Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week 13 - The Fruit of the Spirit
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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Reflection: This week’s message reminds us that the Spirit of God changes our world by first changing our hearts. As the Spirit produces Christ-like character within us, we are empowered to shape and transform the culture around us. The battle against cultural corruption is not fought with force but through lives that reflect the fruit of the Spirit.
Just as people adapt to a new culture, sin has influenced and reshaped the culture around us over generations, embedding patterns of brokenness into everyday life. The enemy corrupts culture subtly, embedding sin into societal norms, traditions, and even personal habits. Yet, we are called to resist assimilation into this broken culture by living Spirit-filled lives. As we keep in step with the Spirit, our individual transformation spills over into our families, friendships, workplaces, and communities.
Discussion Questions
How has culture influenced your thoughts, habits, or values? Are there areas where you see cultural norms clashing with biblical principles?
Which fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) do you feel God is currently growing in you? How does this growth influence those around you?
What is one practical way you can "keep in step with the Spirit" this week to create a Christ-like culture in your family, workplace, or community?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit who works within us to transform our hearts and lives. We ask for Your guidance as we strive to live in step with the Spirit, producing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us to resist the corrupting influence of the world and to reflect Your light in our homes, friendships, and workplaces. May the character You develop in us create a culture that honors You and draws others to Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week 12 - Embracing the Spirit and Our Spiritual Gifts
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, 1 Corinthians 3:17-18
Reflection: In Acts 2, we see the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost, fulfilling Jesus' promise to send a Helper. This event marked a new era where God’s Spirit would dwell within His people, empowering them to live out Christ’s mission. The Spirit doesn’t just give us knowledge of God but transforms every part of our lives, reorienting our hearts, minds, and actions to reflect Jesus.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that we’re each a unique part of Christ’s body. Spiritual gifts aren’t just special talents; they are ways the Spirit empowers us to serve and build up the body of believers. But before we seek our individual gifts, we must first find our ultimate identity and belonging to Christ and delight in the Giver above the gift. “When we begin here, When the thing that is burning inside of us is the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, and we have to get it out, the Spirit of God will work through us, He will use abilities we have and things we have never experienced, to further the purposes of the Father.”
Discussion Questions
How does the “indwelling” of God’s Spirit change your daily life?
What gifts or strengths do you feel God has given you to serve others?
How can you focus more on the Giver of the gift, rather than the gift itself?
Week 11 - The Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Scripture: Acts 2:1-12 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Reflection: The book of Acts captures the transformative events following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. In Acts 1, Jesus instructs His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, as a significant harvest celebration, the disciples experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a powerful and unprecedented way. This moment not only marks the birth of the Church but also illustrates God’s intention to unite diverse peoples through His Spirit. This study explores Acts 2, reflecting on the implications of Pentecost for our lives today.
Discussion Questions
Understanding Pentecost: What significance did the day of Pentecost hold for the Jewish people, and how does this context enhance our understanding of the events that took place?
The Role of the Holy Spirit: How does the sudden and powerful arrival of the Holy Spirit reshape the disciples' understanding of God’s presence and their mission?
Language and Unity: Reflect on the reversal of the Tower of Babel narrative. How does the gift of tongues at Pentecost demonstrate God’s intent to unite people across cultural and linguistic divides?
The Responses: There were three distinct responses to the events of Pentecost: amazement, skepticism, and mockery. How do these responses reflect the different ways people engage with the work of the Holy Spirit today?
Personal Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence in your own life? How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to be witnesses to Your mighty works. As we reflect on the events of Pentecost, help us to understand the importance of being together in prayer and community. May Your Spirit fill us anew, guiding our hearts and minds to share Your love with those around us. Help us to listen attentively, respond with faith, and embrace the unity that comes from being in Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Week 10 - The Promise of the Spirit
Scripture Focus: John 14:15-17 - “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”
Reflection: In a world full of broken promises, Jesus stands out as the true Promise Maker. When He promised the Holy Spirit, He did so with a purpose: to guide, comfort, and empower us to live in alignment with God’s will. The Spirit is our constant Helper, available to lead us in truth and give us strength in all things. Unlike worldly promises, Jesus’s promises bring lasting peace and purpose.
Discussion Questions:
How does seeing Jesus as the ultimate Promise Maker impact your faith?
How has your life been changed by the indwelling of God’s Spirit in you? What fruit has been produced in your life?
Where do you sense the Holy Spirit guiding you today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Help us trust You as our Promise Maker and follow the Spirit’s guidance each day. Strengthen us to live according to Your purpose and reflect Your love in all we do. Amen.
Week 9 - The Holy Spirit & Christ Jesus pt.2
Scripture: John 1:29-34 - “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 3 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
John the Baptist proclaimed that, while his baptism symbolized repentance, Jesus would bring something much greater: the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t just symbolic but transformative. As promised through Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:24-28), God’s Spirit cleanses us, gives us new hearts, and enables us to walk in His ways.
When we place faith in Jesus, the Spirit of God fills and empowers us, making us more like Christ and magnifying Him through our lives. This transformation doesn’t erase who we are but redeems every part of us for God’s purpose.
Discussion Questions:
How are we baptized with the Spirit?
Read John 1:33-34 and Romans 10:9. What role does faith play in receiving the Holy Spirit?
In your experience, how has faith brought renewal in your life?
What does the Spirit do within us?
Reflect on Ezekiel 36:26-27. What changes does God promise through the Spirit?
How has the Spirit made you more like Christ in areas such as relationships, forgiveness, or priorities?
How does the Spirit use our unique story?
Think about Buck’s testimony—how God used his specific circumstances for His glory. How might God use your background and gifts to magnify Christ?
What prayer or step of faith is God calling you to take today?
Ask God to show you how the Holy Spirit is working in your life. Is there an area where He’s calling you to surrender more fully? This week, look for ways to magnify Christ through your words, actions, or prayers—just as the Spirit empowers believers to continue the mission of Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to walk in step with Your Spirit, becoming more like Jesus every day. Use our unique stories, gifts, and experiences to bring Your love and truth to the world around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week 8 - The Holy Spirit & Christ Jesus pt.1
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-2 - “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Isaiah's prophecy paints a picture of hope and restoration during a time of turmoil for God's people. The "stump of Jesse" symbolizes the fallen state of Israel, cut down and seemingly lifeless. Yet, from this stump, God promises a new shoot—a sign of life and hope. This branch, who is Christ, will bear fruit and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's presence will manifest in wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and reverence for God, qualities that characterized Jesus' life and ministry. Isaiah 11 1-2 is revealing the perfection and the fullness of God’s Spirit poured out on Christ Jesus.
This passage bridges the Old and New Testaments, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. While Israel’s situation seemed hopeless, Isaiah foresaw the coming of a Messiah who would embody the fullness of God's Spirit. In Jesus, we see the perfect display of God’s character and purposes, accomplished through the Holy Spirit.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
Discussion Questions:
What attributes of the Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord) do you see evident in Jesus' ministry?
How can we, as followers of Christ, seek to be filled with the Spirit in our daily lives?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of hope and restoration through Your Son, Jesus. We ask for Your Spirit to rest upon us as it did upon Him. Fill us with Your wisdom, understanding, and strength. Help us to live lives that reflect Your love and bring peace where there is strife. May we always keep Christ at the center, trusting that through Him, You make all things new. Amen.
Week 7 - The Filling of The Spirit
Scripture: Exodus 31:3 – “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs.”
In Exodus 31, we encounter Bezalel, the first person described as being filled with the Spirit of God. This filling wasn’t just a vague spiritual experience; it was specific, purposeful, and equipped Bezalel with the skills needed to carry out God's work in building the tabernacle.
What happens when we are filled with the Holy Spirit? The Spirit transforms our brokenness and equips us for God's purposes. On our own, our spirits are broken by sin, focused on self-preservation, and lost. But when the Holy Spirit fills us, we are given abilities and gifts that go beyond our natural talents. These spiritual gifts are to be used for the greater purpose of glorifying God, building His kingdom, and serving others.
The story of Bezalel reminds us that God's Spirit fills us with purpose. Just as Bezalel was empowered to create something beautiful for God’s glory, so too are we given spiritual gifts to fulfill our calling. It may be wisdom, hospitality, encouragement, or service, but it is always for the good of others and the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
Reflection:
How have you seen the Holy Spirit working in your life?
How has this teaching shaped or informed your understanding of being “spirit filled?”
What are the largest “gap’s” in your life between God’s desire/design and where you are today?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for filling us with Your Spirit and gifting us with unique abilities for Your glory. Help us to surrender our spirits to You and to walk in the purpose You have for our lives. Lead us to serve others and build up Your church through the power of Your Spirit. Amen.
Week 6 - The Holy Spirit at the Flood - Pt. 2
Genesis 6-8 tells the sobering story of the Flood, where God’s judgment on sin is clear: sin brings chaos, destruction, and death. In the midst of this, we see God’s redemptive work through Noah, and more importantly, we see the Holy Spirit’s life-giving role.
In Genesis 8:1, God "remembers" Noah. His Spirit, the same one that hovered over the waters in creation, brings order once again. The floodwaters recede, and life returns. Just as the Spirit brought life and order in Genesis 1, He now brings restoration to a broken world.
Noah’s response to God’s mercy is worship. He builds an altar and offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving, showing us that true worship flows from a heart aware of God’s grace. Likewise, the Holy Spirit today leads us into worship, reminding us of God's work in our lives and His promise of preservation and protection.
There is a uniqueness in this text that reveals God both breathing out and breathing in. In this, we see the work of the Holy Spirit connecting God to us (through the giving of life in Genesis 2) and us to God, as He breathes in the aroma of Noah's sacrifice in Genesis 8 and responds with a promise."
Reflect on how the Holy Spirit, the agent of God's will, is at work in your life today. How is He bringing order out of chaos, life out of death, and leading you to rest in God’s goodness? Let this truth lead you to worship, just as Noah did.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
Do you need to know God?
What things in your life are broken that you need to ask and trust God to mend?
Where is there separate for God to restore?
Week 5 - The Holy Spirit at the Flood - Pt. 1
"Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.'" - Genesis 6:3
The story of the flood in Genesis 6-7 reveals deep truths about the nature of humanity, the Holy Spirit, and God's work in the world. We often think of the flood as an act of judgment, but it is also a story of God's Spirit working to preserve life and bring about new creation.
As we reflect on this passage, we see a world corrupted by sin and violence. God's heart is grieved, and He allows His creation to face judgment. But in the midst of destruction, God’s Spirit remains active, preserving Noah—a righteous man—and carrying forward God’s purpose. The Spirit sustains Noah through the storm, ensuring that life and God’s design are not lost, but preserved.
While the flood can seem so far off and foreign to our world today, there are many truths in the text that are real and applicable to our lives.
1. The Holy Spirit Sustains Life: Just as the Spirit preserved life through Noah and the Ark, He sustains us today. When we live Spirit-led lives, we experience God's preservation and guidance through the chaos of our world.
2. Judgment and Renewal: The flood serves as a reminder that God takes sin seriously. We cannot be passive or complacent about sin in our lives. The Spirit not only brings life but also calls us to turn away from sin, seeking renewal and transformation in Christ.
3. A Call to Be Spirit-Led: Like Noah, we are called to walk with God and trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Ark carried Noah through the waters, the Spirit carries us through trials and challenges, preserving us for God’s purposes.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the story of Noah help us understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today?
2. In what areas of your life have you been relying on your own strength instead of the Spirit's guidance?
3. What steps can you take to become more Spirit-led in your daily walk with Christ?
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Spirit that sustains and leads us, even in the midst of chaos. Help us to surrender our lives fully to You, to be led by Your Spirit in all things. We repent of the times we've lived by our own will instead of Yours. Guide us, like You did with Noah, and help us to walk in Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Week 4 - Chaos to Order
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, but Genesis 1:2 tells us that "the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep." This state of chaos, described by the Hebrew words tohu va bohu (chaotic confusion), was not something with potential—it was formless and purposeless. Yet, in this moment of disorder, we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters, ready to bring light, life, and order to creation.
The Holy Spirit’s work in creation is not just an ancient event but a reflection of His ongoing work in our lives today. Just as He brought form and beauty from chaos in Genesis, the Holy Spirit continues to bring order out of the chaos that sin has brought into our lives. Whether it's the chaos in our relationships, our families, or our hearts, the Holy Spirit is the agent of God's will on earth, working to restore and bring life where there is disorder.
When we surrender our chaos to God, the Holy Spirit moves, waiting for us to yield and invite Him to work. He hovers over our lives, waiting for us to say, “God, I need You now.”
Today, let us surrender our chaotic moments to the Holy Spirit, trusting that He will bring light and life, just as He did at the beginning of creation.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
How does this differ from the way you have known the Holy Spirit before? Have you seen God work in this way in your life?
Where in your life do you feel chaos or confusion?
Have you invited the Holy Spirit to bring order and life to those areas?
Take a moment as a group and pray this prayer together:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who brings order from chaos and life from emptiness. Help me to recognize His work in my life, transforming my confusion into clarity and my chaos into peace. May I surrender my spirit to Him daily, allowing His breath of life to renew and guide me. Teach me to live in the fullness of Your Spirit, being led by Him in every aspect of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Week 3 - God the Son
Hebrews 1 gives us a beautiful picture of the relationship and role of God the Son, Jesus Christ. In verses 1-3, we see Jesus as the One through whom God speaks and creates the world. Just as John 1 describes Jesus as the Word, Hebrews confirms that Jesus is not only the mouthpiece of God but also the Creator of all things.
Think about it: the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, was active in creation from the very beginning. This isn’t just a historical fact; it has deep implications for us today. Jesus, in all His royal authority, represents the fullness of God. Just as a prince in a monarchy carries the authority of the king, so Jesus carries the divine nature and will of the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 goes further to describe Jesus as "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature." This means that Jesus perfectly reflects the glory of God, and there is nothing about the Father that Jesus does not share. He is not a shadow or a mere reflection—He is the exact imprint. When we see Jesus, we see God.
Yet, Jesus is more than just the Creator. He is also the Sustainer. "He upholds the universe by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3). The same power that created the world continues to sustain it, ensuring that everything in creation stays in place. Every moment of our lives is upheld by Jesus, and yet, we often fail to recognize or thank Him for it.
This passage calls us to trust in the one who holds the universe together. We can rest in knowing that if Jesus sustains all things, He is more than capable of sustaining us through every challenge, anxiety, and trial we face.
Take comfort in this truth: Jesus reigns as King, seated at the right hand of the Father. He has made purification for our sins, and now, He rules over all creation. Whatever you're going through today, remember that the One who created and upholds the universe is the same One who loves you and advocates for you before the Father.
Let’s put our trust in Jesus, the Creator, the Sustainer, and our King.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
How does recognizing Jesus as both Creator and Sustainer change your perspective on the challenges you're facing today?
If Jesus is the one that has purchased us by His blood, has restored us to God the Father, what barriers keep us from treasuring Him. What keeps us from worshiping Jesus in the highest praise?
Take a moment to thank Jesus for upholding your life, and ask Him to help you trust Him more deeply in the areas where you feel anxious or unsure.
Week 2 - God the Father
The first time we see God appearing as a Father is in Exodus 4:22 where God identifies with the people of Israel as Gods son. We continue to see God’s relationship to the Israelites as children unto God. God gives guidance to continually lead and redeem the people that He loves.
Throughout the old testament we do not see the Jewish people referring to God as their father, in fact when Jesus came they were confused and even angry that Jesus referred to God as His Father.
That was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:18).
As our earthly mother and father carry that title through their role in giving us life, God is our greatest father as He is the one that created us (Gen 2:7). As sin entered into the world it fractured the relationship between God and man.
Today, christians call God their Father because that is what Jesus taught his disciples to do. He did this not in order to emphasize that God was their Creator (though of course he was) but because he was their Redeemer. Jesus had a unique relationship with God the Father that he wanted to share with his followers. During his time on earth, he was quite clear about this. “He who has seen me has seen the Father,” he said (John 14:9). “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
Through our faith in Jesus, we are made one with Christ, and in our “union with Christ” God is not only our creator but He is our redeemer.
Father and Son remain distinct persons, but they work together for the salvation of those who have been chosen. The Father is revealed to us as the principle of the Godhead, the one who plans the work of salvation and who sends the Son in order to carry it out. The Son pleads for us in the presence of the Father and the Father forgives us because of the Son’s intercession on our behalf. We are encouraged to pray to the Father and enabled to do so because the Son has united us to him in his death and resurrection (Gal. 2:20).
In the Son, we have become heirs of the Father’s kingdom. This high calling comes with a price tag, for just as the Son glorified his Father while on earth, so we too are called to glorify him (John 17:1–26). We cannot do this in our own strength, but only in and through the relationship that the Father has entered into with us, through the Son and the Holy Spirit. Just as everything they do is done in relation to the Father, so everything that we are called to do must also be done in the context of obedience to his will. It is to the Father that we pray, through the Son and in the Spirit, because that is the pattern of our relationship to God that he has revealed to us. We pray to the Father because our Creator is also our Redeemer, and it is in that redeeming love that we know him.
God is perfect in all of His ways and we can trust that He is not only a good Father, He is the perfect Father.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
What scripture has helped bring comfort and understanding to God as the Father?
Often times our relationship to our earthly father becomes a barrier to our relationship with God the Father, has this been true to you? What has God done to grow your faith and trust in Him?
In relation to your earthly father, what does God need to do to restore your relationship to Him (God) as Father? (What does God need to do for you to trust, and surrender to Him as Father?)
Week 1 - The Trinity
The Bible speaks of the Father as God (Philippians 1:2), Jesus as God (Titus 2:13), and the Holy Spirit as God (Acts 5:3–4). Are these just three different ways of looking at God, or simply ways of referring to three different roles that God plays? The answer must be no, because the Bible also indicates that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons.
For example, since the Father sent the Son into the world (John 3:16), He cannot be the same person as the Son. Likewise, after the Son returned to the Father (John 16:10), the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit into the world (John 14:26; Acts 2:33). Therefore, the Holy Spirit must be distinct from the Father and the Son.
In the baptism of Jesus, we see the Father speaking from heaven, the Spirit descending from heaven in the form of a dove, and Jesus coming out of the water (Mark 1:10–11). John 1:1 affirms that Jesus is God and, at the same time, that He was “with God,” thereby indicating that Jesus is a distinct person from God the Father (see also John 1:18). And in John 16:13–15, we see that although there is a close unity between the three persons, the Holy Spirit is also distinct from the Father and the Son.
Awareness of the distinct role that each person of the Trinity has in our salvation can especially serve to give us greater comfort and appreciation for God in our prayers, as well as help us to be specific in directing our prayers. Nonetheless, while recognizing the distinct roles that each person has, we should never think of their roles as so separate that the other persons are not involved. Rather, everything that one person is involved in, the other two are also involved in, in one way or another.
While it is difficult to fully understand God with our finite minds, our view of the Trinity is very important as we focus specifically on God, the Spirit.
On Sunday, we explored the baptism of Jesus in Mark and how it reveals the triune nature of God to us. For those who are "in Christ," having surrendered to Jesus as Lord of their lives, we become partakers in the nature of the Trinity as "new creations in Christ."
As we delve deeply into the Trinity, we discover that love is the essence of God and a component of our creation. Praise is the essence of God and a component of our creation. Joy is the essence of God and a component of our creation. Peace is the essence of God and a component of our creation. Power is the essence of God and a component of our creation. Glory is the essence of God and a component of our creation.
The deepest parts of ourselves resonate with this truth. We were not made for material things or fleeting experiences. Those things cannot satisfy or complete us. We were made to experience and express love, glory, peace, joy, and adoration in the image of a triune God.
Before asking the following questions, take a moment to meditate on these biblical truths and invite your group to share their thoughts and feelings. Begin with a simple question: “What do you think about this, and how does it make you feel?” to encourage natural conversation. If needed, proceed to the following questions.
**Questions:**
- What scripture have you found to provide a greater understanding of the Trinity?
- How should our worship change as we better understand the distinctions between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
**Further Discussion:**
The Trinity has a very significant application to prayer. The general pattern of prayer in the Bible is to pray to the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). Our fellowship with God should be enhanced by consciously knowing that we are relating to a tri-personal God!
How can this change or affect your prayers?