A good friend will always stand by your side. They will call you out on the carpet and make sure you have what you need for success. They will care for you when you are down instead of sitting on the sidelines. In the same way, the Holy Spirit does not sit in a passive role. He is active in those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ. He serves to walk with us in life. We may not see Him at work from the outside, but on the inside, He is convicting us for the wrong things we have done, and He draws us into a deeper relationship with God. In this study, we are going to take a look at how God uses the Holy Spirit to lead and comfort us in life.
What does it take to have a friend? What qualities are critical for someone to be defined as one of your best friends?
1. What qualities does the Holy Spirit have that resemble a good friend?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. How many times is comfort mentioned here? Why was comfort so important for the early church? What about for us?
2 Corinthians 1:3-11 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
3. What is the Holy Spirit's role in guiding us? (John 14:26)
John 14:26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
4. Read Matthew 10:17-20. How does the Holy Spirit fill us with supernatural courage? In what way does this scripture give you courage to stand?
Matthew 10:17-20 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:17-20
But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
5. When was a time where you ended up in the wrong place because you weren't sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit?
6. What are some ways you have been relying on your own strength to overcome obstacles? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power in the future?
7. What are some steps you can take this week to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (relationships, job, school, family, temptation, church)?
The work of the Holy Spirit is always evident in the life of a child of God. When a person experiences God guiding, comforting, defending, and giving courage to them, it is a sign that they have the Holy Spirit in them. If this confuses your group, use this as an opportunity to talk about what trusting Jesus is and how to accept Him. It could be in your Small Group that this is an opportunity to lead a group member to Jesus.
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