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2 Tuesday > 7/21 The Holy Spirit wants to talk to 5 Personal Space

you. Are you listening?
you are 3 Friday > 7/24

not alone. Wednesday > 7/22 Speak up!
t HaD beeN an amazing ride for you Can hear him now. f you weRe iNviteD to a Bible
Ithe disciples, spending every day Istudy where you thought the Holy
with Jesus. They’d hung out together, Spirit would show up in a powerful
witnessed amazing miracles, and emembeR playiNg “goSSip” when you were a kid? usually, the end way, would you go? Some people
reveled in the pleasure of asking Rresult was so different from the original message that it was barely wouldn’t want to miss it, while others
Jesus anything they wanted to know. recognizable because someone paraphrased, couldn’t remember what they’d would stay away at all costs. Perhaps
Then, Jesus told them He was going been told, or just made up another message to be funny. they’re afraid, or they doubt that the
back to the Father. This was actually The Holy Spirit passes messages from God the Father to us, but He never gets Holy Spirit’s power is alive and active.
going to be a good thing, though, them wrong or changes them around just to mess with us. When He speaks to What do you think? What happens
because the Holy Spirit was coming. our hearts, we can be sure we’re hearing exactly what the Father intends to say when He shows up?
The Holy Spirit, whom they couldn’t to us.
see or touch. The disciples had to be When they had prayed,
longing to keep Jesus with them, but the place where they were
it wouldn’t happen. But it would be “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into assembled was shaken,
for their benefit, or so Jesus said. all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He and they were all filled
will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to
Read John 16:5-11. ponder verse 8. you what is to come.” —john 16:13 How can you use your gifts for God? with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak God’s
� Why will the Counselor convict 4 message with boldness.
the world about sin? About Read John 16:12-15 and focus on verse 13.
righteousness? Judgment? � What will the Spirit of truth do when He comes? Thursday > 7/23 —Acts 4:31
� How have you experienced each of � How do you think this happens?
these convictions in your life? � How will the Spirit glorify the Father? you have giftS. uSe them. Read acts 4:29-31. consider how
� How would Jesus’ absence benefit � What truth has the Holy Spirit given you from the Father recently? you would have felt had you been
the disciples? Hat aRe you Really gooD at? You’ve probably heard that God gave present in verse 31.
� Why do you think Jesus considers The next time you open God’s Word, sit through a sermon at church, or even Wyou that talent or ability, but if you are a Christian, there’s more. God has � What were the threats these
having the Spirit a benefit? listen to your favorite music, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s given you at least one special gift for the purpose of benefiting the church. Just Christians faced? Look over Acts 4
� Has God ever allowed a blessing to truth. He never intended for you to have to figure it out on your own. You have like how only your fingers know exactly where to scratch that itch on your head if you’re not sure.
be taken from you, only to replace your own personal tutor available every moment of the day, but you can choose or how your nose is vital to breathing in the air your body needs to survive, the � What threats, either real or
it with something better? How did whether or not to call for His help or pay attention to His voice. gift(s) given to you help out the church, the body of Christ, in a unique way. imagined, keep you from speaking
it affect your relationship with It can be frustrating and confusing trying to recognize the Holy’s Spirit’s about Jesus boldly?
Him? voice, but don’t give up. Ask Him to help you hear Him better. And keep Read 1 corinthians 12:4-7, stopping to read verse 7 aloud a few times. � How did these Christians respond
practicing. The closer you pay attention and the longer you listen, the better � From where do believers’ gifts come? Are there any exceptions? to the threats they faced (v. 29)?
you will become at identifying His voice. He wants you to recognize it. He wants � For what purpose does God give � Why do you think they didn’t ask
“When He comes, He will to talk with you. A manifestation of the gifts to believers? God to remove the threats?
convict the world about Spirit is given to each � How do you honestly feel about � How do you think they knew the
sin, righteousness, and person to produce what believers who are really different Holy Spirit had come upon them?
judgment.” —john 16:8 is beneficial. from you? What might need to Does this sound scary to you? Why
—1 Corinthians 12:7 change about your attitude toward or why not?
others?
When the Holy Spirit lives within us, � What does God say about these Perhaps you’re in a difficult situation
we get to have a one-on-one running people and their gifts? at home or school. You might be
conversation with God. No one else’s � What special ability has God given you? tempted to ask God to take you out
prayers ever interrupt ours. We have � How can you use that ability to benefit the church? of it. Sometimes, that does need to
a personal mentor to explain God’s happen, but perhaps God wants to
Word to us, and when we step out Do you know how God has gifted you? The same Holy Spirit who prays for you give you strength, through His Spirit,
of His will, He immediately lets us with groaning too deep for words, the Spirit who knows you better than you know to speak about Jesus boldly in the
know. He continues to keep us in yourself, has personally placed something in you. It’s alright if you haven’t figured midst of difficulty. He just might
check, not because He’s out to get us, out what that is yet, but it’s not too early to begin trying. Check out some different change the lives of those around you
but because He loves us and wants a places to serve in your church. Make a list of things you’re good at and like to do. through the bold words He empowers
healthy, growing relationship with us. Ask people who know you well what gifts they see in you. Above all, pray. Ask God you to speak. Next time you find
to help you discover what special gifts He has placed within you for the benefit of your faith threatened, ask Him for
the church. boldness to speak His truth.

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