08 Jun
2025

Another Advocate

Passage: John 14:16-18, 26 & Acts 2:1-8

“Just as Christ in His conception assumed the human nature, never again to lay it aside, so the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost chose the Church as His dwelling place and temple, never again to be separated from it.”
—Herman Bavinck

SERMON OUTLINE:

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
2. How does the Holy Spirit help us?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What has shaped your understanding and awareness of the Holy Spirit?

Read Acts 2:1-8 and John 14:16-18, 26. What do these passages show you about God’s character and about being his follower? What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in these passages?

In John 14, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “he” and “him,” not “it.” The Holy Spirit is also described as an advocate and according to a biblical understanding of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is God. How does knowing the Holy Spirit is a person and an advocate, who is God, help provide shape and color to your understanding of the Holy Spirit?
Because Jesus ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we can have confidence in his presence with us and that he will equip us in word and deed to declare the wonders of God. In what ways do these truths speak into the troubles or difficulties you are facing in this season?
In Romans 8:16, the apostle Paul reminds us, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” How does your status as a child of God, speak truth and peace to the lies or distractions you face? What areas of life do you need to especially hear this truth spoken into and what helps you remember that you are God’s beloved?

What from this passage and this discussion is something you want to put into practice or be more aware of this week?

PRAYER

Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”