Teaching Notes

If God cares so much about the vast differences in the colors, shapes, fragrance of flowers, how much more does he care about us? He cares enough to make each of us unique and wonderful.

The Spirit of God

John 16:12-14 (The Message)

I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.'


Notes: Jesus in this chapter is preparing his disciples for his leaving. He tells them in an earlier scripture it is good that he is going because then the comforter (Holy Spirit) can come. Different versions of the Bible have different names, for example here in the Message he writes Friend.

Question: What does Jesus tell his disciples the Holy Spirit would do?

Answer: The Holy Spirit will guide Jesus disciples, which includes us. He will help the disciple understand the truth that Jesus spoke as well as the entire word of God (Bible). He does not come to draw attention to himself, but to draw us to God through the Son. The Holy Spirit will give to the disciples those things which Jesus wants his disciples to have. He will give us power to do things God's way. He will help us understand the truth in God's word as well as how God reveals himself in our natural everyday world. As children of God he will help us to see things from a Kingdom perspective instead of just from an earthly vision. We would not be able to truly be disciples of Christ without the Holy Spirit giving us power to do, equipping us with the ability to go and showing us the Father's will which can only be understood by the Spirit of God.

Prayer: Lord thank you for your Spirit. You care so much about us that you give to us all the tools we need to be success as Christians. Help us to use all the tools you give us to worship you fully, for that is why we were created to worship you.