The Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Ken Birks



The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Facilitator Instructions: The words in italic are possible answers you are looking for as you lead the discussion. Give a number of people time to answer the questions before you try to answer the question. Also, always have group members look up the Scriptures in their Bibles while one group member reads.

As you lead the discussion, be open to the Holy Spirit and what He is doing during the meeting. You may never get beyond one or two questions if they are provoking a great discussion. It may also be that someone in the group needs important ministry because of what the discussion opened in their heart. Take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to minister the person through your group members.

Ice Breaker: What person has influenced your life the most? Why?

Bible Study Discussion: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Facilitator: Read the paragraph and Scripture below and then ask the question that follows:

If we fail to rely upon the Holy Spirit in our lives we will end up producing wood, hay and stubble rather than gold, silver and precious stones. On the other hand when we rely upon the Holy Spirit our works will be saved and we will receive the reward. With this in mind, we can see how important it is for us to know how the Holy Spirit wants to works in our lives.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NKJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

• What does this Scripture say to you concerning the Holy Spirit’s ministry in your lives?

Facilitator: Read #1 and have someone read the Scripture below and then ask the question that follows:

1. The Holy Spirit teaches us and imparts the divine revelation of God into our Spirits.

1 John 2:20,27 (NKJV) 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 27But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

• Describe a time when you experienced illumination or revelation from the Holy Spirit. How did it affect your life?

Facilitator: Read #2 and have someone read the Scripture below and then ask the question that follows:

2. The Holy Spirit will reveal the things freely given to us by God.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

• Can you think of something God has freely given to you to help you work out His purpose in your life?

Facilitator: Read #3 and have someone read the Scripture below and then ask the questions that follows:

3. He leads and guides us into God’s will and our ministries.

John 16:13 (NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

• Would you attempt to go on a Jungle or African Safari without a guide? Why not?

• Has anyone ever been on an adventure where you needed a guide? If so, share how the guide helped you to accomplish your mission.

• How does having a personal guide through life help you?

Facilitator: Share the following after others have answered the questions above.

The Holy Spirit is our personal guide through this life. When our lives are dedicated to serving God and His purpose we activate this ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When our lives are full of self will and self-serving motives His ministry in this area will be quenched.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

• Can you think of a time when the Holy Spirit really gave you some solid direction in your pursuit of life and following His will?

Whether it is through prophecy, the still small voice, dreams, visions or even an audible voice the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to be our personal guide into the purpose and will of God for our lives.

Facilitator: Read #4 and have someone read the Scripture below and then ask the question that follows:

4. The Holy Spirit gives us victory over sin.

Romans 8:11-13 (NKJV) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

• What was a major victory in your life that God accomplished and how did it come about?

Facilitator: Read #5 and have someone read the Scripture below and then ask the question that follows:

5. The Holy Spirit is our Helper.

John 16:7 (NKJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

• What does it mean to you to have a helper?

Facilitator: Have three different individuals read the following Scriptures then ask the question below.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (NKJV) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

John 5:30 (NKJV) I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

• How do we go about activating all that the Holy Spirit has been commissioned to do in our lives?

We must acknowledge God in all of our ways, even in the least significant of areas. As we do He will guide and direct our lives in the way we should go.

Ministering Purpose:

• In everything we have discussed in this lesson, what is one area you are being challenged to depend on the Holy Spirit’s ministry in your life the most?

Facilitator: You might want to divide up into smaller groups and pray for one another.

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