Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection:

Read John 14: 25-27.

1. Read the Apostles’ Creed together as a group... I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

2. Why is the Holy Spirit often referred to as the “Sustainer”? What does this mean? Why does Jesus call the Holy Spirit “Advocate”?

3. Do you agree that the Holy Spirit helps us inwardly, outwardly, and upwardly? How have you experienced these helps in your own life?

4. Why did Pastor Mick spend so much time talking about ruach and pneuma in describing the Holy Spirit as breath and wind? How does this understanding of the Holy Spirit connect with both the Old and New Testaments?

5. Read Galatians 5: 22-23. How much of this fruit is evident in your life today?

6. Read 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13 and 25-27. What does this teach us about the way the Spirit connects us together? Are we connected like this right now?

7. How does the Spirit help us and intercede for us? (See Romans 8: 26-27.)

8. What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? In what ways do you grieve

the Holy Spirit?

9. Read Ephesians 4: 1-6 and 11-13. Discuss the current situation of the church/denomination in light of these verses and other verses we studied today. Are you able to have these discussions in a way that does not grieve the Holy Spirit?

Prayer for the Week:

Spirit of the Living God, breathe new life into these dry and weary bones. Strengthen us as the body of Christ, your church. Raise us up as a mighty army fighting against all forms of evil, oppression and injustice, so that the love and Light of Jesus will shine forth ever so brightly for this hurting and broken world to see. Forgive us for the times our words and deeds grieve you. Even when we do not think alike, help us to love alike. And when we are not of one opinion, help us to still be of one heart. Help us inwardly, outwardly and upwardly to be the people you created us to be, both individually and collectively as the body of Christ. We surrender to your transforming power. Amen.