Another Helper

Passage

John 14:15-18, 25-26;15:26-27; 16:5-15

Sermon Summary

The Holy Spirit answers our anxieties with his powerful help. Throughout his Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), Jesus returns to the promise of his Holy Spirit. Among the Spirit's many attributes, Jesus highlights his personal present-ness; his vital role in producing, preserving and illuminating scripture; his active witness to the world, both before us and through us; and his convicting work to expose the world's (and the church's!) errors. This is why he is also called the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of Christ, mediating the redeeming presence of Jesus in every way.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. What is something that feels especially hard to you about living the Christian life? How does the Holy Spirit meet you in that struggle?
3. Which translation of Paraclete resonates most with you: Helper, Comforter, Counselor, or Advocate?
4. The Spirit works to breathe out scripture, to preserve it and to illuminate it for us to understand. Which of those roles had you not considered, or forgotten?
5. Is "bearing witness" to Jesus easy for you, or hard? How does the Spirit's prior witness-bearing entourage you to try?
6. Would you rather have the physical presence of Jesus back on earth, or the Holy Spirit dwelling in you? Consider the pros and cons.
7. What is something confusing to you about living in our current cultural moment? What is one way that the Holy Spirit convicts or exposes the world?
8. Can you identtify any lingering anxieties about your life? How might the Spirit provide for you in them?

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for __________
• Forgive me, Jesus, for __________
• Enable me, Holy Spirit, to ___________ (obey, bear witness, discern, trust, hope...)

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCaulay
• The Message of John, Bruce Milne
• John for Everyone, NT Wright
• Pillar Commentary on John, DA Carson
• The Holy Spirit, Sinclair Ferguson
• The Familiar Stranger, Tyler Staton
• Words of Life, Timothy Ward