PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY ON THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE:
THE PERSON AND MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A LIFE OF INTIMACY & TRANSFORMATION

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This indepth, four-session study of the Holy Spirit can be used for your personal growth or in a group setting.

This study will explore the Holy Spirit and His ministry with three goals:
1) to help us grasp the privileges, power, filling and gifts of the Holy Spirit;
2) to learn how to depend more fully on the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with Jesus; and
3) to help us strengthen the Body of Christ in our families, our small group, and our own churches by relying more on His power! (and less on our own efforts!)

Pastor Denis is interested in hearing your experience or questions regarding this study. 

Please write to Pastor Denis. 

Note: Underlined text in this document is author emphasis (not a hyperlink.)

SESSION ONE: Who is the Holy Spirit, and how can we better relate to Him?

Introduction and Goals – We know that there is much more to the Christian journey than the “sinner’s prayer” and the salvation decision. We are to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, learning to “obey all that He commanded” (Matt 28:18-20). We are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). We are to “work out” our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). We are promised an abundant life (John 10:10) here on earth, not just in heaven. However, if we are honest, we do not always experience that abundant life!

Paul tells us that the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Cor 4:20), and Acts 1:8 tells us that we will receive power. The Greek word used for power is a root of the English word “dynamite”. So we are to have “dynamite” power in our ministry and in our lives!!!! But often, we do not experience this power in our lives - in our witness to others, in our growth, in increasing freedom from sin, in a lifestyle that attracts others to Christ with the “aroma” of Christ. So how do we take hold of this power?

The answer is the greatest secret of Christianity…..living the Spirit-Filled life…..a life that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, a life that is lived in the communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

This study will explore the Holy Spirit and His ministry with three goals: 1) to help us grasp the privileges, power, filling and gifts of the Holy Spirit; 2) to learn how to depend more fully on the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with Jesus; and 3) to help us strengthen the Body of Christ in our families, our small group, and our own churches by relying more on His power!! (and less on our own efforts!!)

I. Introduction:

Biblical names for the Holy Spirit tell us a lot about Him. The objective for this section is to develop a deeper understanding of the third person of the Trinity, and then to assess our relationship with the Holy Spirit, so that we might find the next opportunity for growth in our walk with God.

1. Names of the Holy Spirit that show He is a separate person:

A. The Spirit who is from God (1 Cor 2:12)

B. The Lord (2 Cor 3:18)

C. The Spirit (Gal 3:14)

 

2. Names denoting relationships in the God head

A. Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9)

B. Spirit of God (Rom 8:14)

C. The Spirit of His Son (Gal 4:6)

D. The Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil1:19)

E. God’s Spirit (1 Cor 3:16)

F. The Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor 3:17)

 

3. Names denoting character qualities

A. The Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) – Holy

B. The Spirit of the Living God (2 Cor 3:3) – Living, active

II. Activities of the Holy Spirit

A. Speaker of truth (Paul in Acts 28:25)

B. Teacher of truth and wisdom (1 Cor 2)

C. Facilitating fellowship (1 Cor 12:13, 2 Cor 13:3)

D. Helping the Body function (1 Cor 12:3)

E. Facilitating Body experiences (Rom 8:14, Gal 3:14)

F. Facilitating righteousness (Gal 5:5)

G. Declaring Jesus as the Son of God (Rom 1:4)

H. Power of miracles and signs (Rom 15:18)

I. Reveals truth (1 Cor 2:6-10)

J. Spirit of Holiness (Rom 1:4)

K. Spirit of Life (Rom 8:2)

L. Spirit of sonship (Rom 8:15)

III. Deity of the Holy Spirit

1. Access to and equality with God

A. Intimate access to God – (Eph 2:18, 1 Thess 4:8, 2 Cor 3:17)

B. Equal mention with God the Father and Jesus the Son (2 Cor 13:14)

C. Interchangeable nature and unity (Eph 4:4-6)

2. Possession of the knowledge of God

A. Knowledge of the mystery of Christ (Eph 3:4-6)

B. Knowledge of the thoughts of God (1 Cor 2:10-11)

C. Giver of authoritative Scripture (1 Tim 4:1)

3. Able to play a role in redemption – giver of righteousness (Gal 5:5)

4. Sovereign in His activities – gives the gifts “as He determines” (1 Cor 12:11)

IV. Conclusion

From a brief examination of His names and activities, we can conclude He performs five major roles to achieve the goals of the Trinity and the redemption of mankind, roles which only God can perform:

1. The Holy Spirit enables the salvation of individual believers.

 

2. The Holy Spirit enables the sanctification of believers.

 

3. The Holy Spirit enables the work and life of the Church - the Body of Christ.

4. The Holy Spirit fills believers who are in the will of God.

 

5. The Holy Spirit dispenses spiritual gifts to every believer.

Application: Compared with the Father and Jesus, how would you assess your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit? Do you experience the presence of the Spirit in prayer and worship? How? Please pray quietly and search your heart for the areas where you may want to grow deeper in your relationship with the Spirit. Ask Jesus to send His Spirit in power and to transform you as you pray, worship and study!

SESSION TWO: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Salvation & Sanctification

I. Introduction:

A. Jesus told Nicodemus that “no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again….unless he is born of water and the Spirit…..Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. The wind blows wherever it pleases, you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit”. (John 3:3-8) (Note: Greek/Hebrew wind=spirit)

B. This passage describes the critical role of the Holy Spirit in the salvation process, a role which wasmore fully unpacked by Paul in his letters. This role flows directly from the sovereign Deity of the Holy Spirit, and we will examine that role today in the order of salvation (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification) as noted by Paul in Rom 8:29-30.

II. Key Passage – Romans 8:1-14 – the presiding work of the Spirit in Salvation – from a state of condemnation in our sin to our adoption as Sons of God. Here is a bit of the process:

1. Christ Jesus defeats condemnation and works through the Spirit (v1-2)

 

2. To set us free from the law of sin and death – salvation (v2) see also Romans 7:6

 

3. The sinful nature controlled us until we gained the ability to live life according to the Spirit (v 3-5)

 

4. The Spirit allows us to keep our minds on what He desires, to be full of life and peace (v 5-6)

 

5. The alternative is to be controlled by the sinful nature, hostile to and unable to please God (v 7-8)

 

6. The presence of the Spirit is the identification point of salvation and righteousness (v 9-10)

 

7. The Spirit will be the One responsible for our bodily resurrection (v 11)

 

8. The Spirit puts to death the misdeeds of the sinful nature (v 12-13)

 

9. Those led by the Spirit of God in daily life are adopted as the Sons of God (v 14)

III. We can also trace the process in further detail, to more clearly understand the work of the Spirit in each step, and to see how Paul understood our complete dependence on the Spirit.

1. The Spirit’s awareness of the deep purposes of God in eternity past (2 Thess 2:13)

 

2. The Spirit’s declaration of Who Jesus really is (Rom 1:4)

 

3. The Spirit’s authentication of the message through signs and miracles (Romans 15:18-19)

 

4. The Spirit’s revelation to us of God’s saving purposes (1 Cor 2:6-10)

 

5. The Spirit’s enabling of understanding God (1 Cor 2:10-16)

 

6. He enables faith: “no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3)

 

7. He enables understanding of the gospel (1 Thess 1:5, 2 Thess 2:13)

 

8. The Spirit’s role in freeing us from the Law:

A. Circumcision of our hearts by the Spirit (Rom 2:29)

B. The law kills but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 2:3-8)

C. The release from the law to serve the Spirit (Romans 7:6)

D. Receiving of the Spirit by faith, not works of the Law (Gal 3:2-5)

9. Justification by the Spirit (1 Cor 6:11)

IV. Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is absolutely indispensable in our salvation. As Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 2, we are dead to our sin and transgressions. We are unable to perceive our total depravity or to do anything about it until the Spirit performs the awakening, convicting and educating work in us that allows us to come to faith. Our utter dependence on the Holy Spirit should make us even more grateful for the brilliant unity in the Godhead, and for the wonderful gift each member of the Trinity has been responsible to give us.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in our Sanctification

I. Introduction:

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul tells us to live by the Spirit (5:16)……the KJV translates that verse “walk in the Spirit”. What does it mean to walk or live in the Spirit? Ladd wrote “Walking in the Spirit is walking in tension between the Spirit and the flesh. …The Christian will never be the person he or she wishes to be – free from temptation, struggle, tension. The old self is ever-present; only by a constant walking after the Spirit can the dominance of the flesh be broken.” (Theology of the N T , page 537).

II. Key Passage – Romans 8:12-25 – Continuing on from the first part of Chapter 8, which outlined the fundamentals of salvation, receiving of the Spirit, and the Spirit of sonship which accompanies our adoption into God’s family. This is the positional holiness (justification) we received at the moment of faith. The passage continues, exploring the nature of sonship, and how we might remain certain of our sonship despite challenges, trials, and how we to have hope in the midst of a groaning creation.

1. Becoming true sons of the Father (v 15) means that we are no longer slaves to fear, but rather we gain a new level of intimacy with Him, through the Spirit.

2. The testimony of the Spirit to our spirit is very clear in reminding us that we are God’s children (v16) which provides a level of assurance which is very uncommon compared to other religions.

3. We share in the sufferings of God and Jesus because we are heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ. This happens so that we might also share in their glory (v17)…..and the glory vastly exceeds the sufferings in comparison (v 18). Discuss the need for a proper theology of trials.

4. The creation is groaning and awaiting renewal and release…..this is like the pain of child-birth….the same goes for our bodies, for which we eagerly await redemption(v 19-23)….. we eagerly await Christ’s return which is our hope --- patiently of course, in the Spirit! (v 24-25, see also Rom 15:13)

III. Application Assignment: Look back on your salvation experience. Share how the Holy Spirit may have prepared or changed your heart or your attitudes about the things of God. How does this affect your gratitude towards the Holy Spirit? How does this affect your trust in the Holy Spirit to do the same work in someone else's heart when you build relationships or share Jesus? Consider the following diagnostics on the process of your sanctification, and share your most recent experiences as you continue to grow.

A. Transformation of our minds (Rom 12:1-2) and lives (2 Cor 3:18) – look back one year, three years: what progress do you observe on your journey?

B. Cleansing and purification (1 Cor 6:11) – what is your approach & experience in cleansing?

C. Temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) – do you treat your body with respect?

D. Conscience (Romans 9:1) – do we have soft, teachable hearts? Are we open to being wrong?

E. Living in power (Eph 3:16) – do we experience power? Do we experience inordinate worry?

F. Freedom (2 Cor 3:17) – do we experience true freedom in our relationships, our conscience, and our choices of how to use our time, talent and treasures?

G. Do we experience more Fruit of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22-23) Note: fruit is singular.

SESSION THREE: Being filled with the Holy Spirit, indwelling, and Baptism with the Holy Spirit

The book of Acts shows repetitious filling with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4, 4:31, 9:17, 13:52) It is clearly an event that is supposed to happen multiple times in the believer’s life. There is no multiple indwelling, that is once and for all at salvation, where we are Baptized into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). But we are to ask for and expect God to give us filling regularly (Ephesians 5:18).

Analogies: leaking balloon, water heater, GPS guidance system, sailing

There are several references to the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Actually, 1 Cor 12:13 can be translated with or in as well (see NIV notes). However, if we look at Matthew 3:11 ( and Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33 in the other gospels) we see a somewhat different picture.

We see three baptisms in the New Testament (Hebrews 6:2 indicates plural baptisms) and this fits well with the notion of multiple / continuous / deeper conversions in our faith. The three baptisms can be summarized as follows:

John the Baptist baptized with water for repentance and the evidence was the fruit of repentance.

The Holy Spirit baptized us into the Body of Christ for new life and the evidence is the fruit of the Spirit. 

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit for power, and the evidence is the gifts of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is sovereign, so He may not give tongues to everyone, but the NT pattern seems to be that gifts began with tongues. This makes sense, in that tongues require us to subjugate our minds to our spirits. To give control of our tongues (the most unruly members of our bodies!!!) over to our spirits allows us to communicate with God in a way that is less finite, more pure. However, it is primarily a private prayer language unless we have an interpreter, in which case the church can be edified. In any case, we are told to eagerly desire the greater gifts (esp love, but also tongues, prophecy, etc.)

The Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit

I. Introduction:

A. Leon Morris (The Theology of the New Testament, page 107) reminds us that the Holy Spirit brings two-fold uniqueness to Christianity which is exceptionally important for our true understanding, and for separating our faith from close-sounding heresy! The two unique features are: 1) The Spirit is given to every believer, in contrast to many religions where the granting of the Spirit is only to a select few; and 2) The Spirit’s presence is observable by fruit – the visible evidence in the believer’s life, in contrast to the preoccupation of other religions on talk, secret rites, and myth.

B. The importance of this is particularly relevant to cults and other new age phenomena today, and to false syncretistic teaching. There is truth to the idea that we can have a “God within us”, but it is only accessible through faith in Jesus Christ! In this lesson, we will examine the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit as major components of the life of the individual believer.

II. Context and Purpose for the Spiritual Gifts – 1 Cor 14:1, 12, 40 - to eagerly follow the way of love, to excel in the gifts that build up the church, in a fitting and orderly way.

III. Key passage – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 – The Gifts of the sovereign Holy Spirit

1. We are to be knowledgeable about the gifts (v1) which means we need to study and discern the entirety of the Lord’s teaching on the subject

 

2. We are to use the gifts to avoid being led astray as we were when we were pagans (v2), which indicates that perseverance on the Christian path requires understanding of the gifts

3. We cannot curse God or use his name in vain in the Spirit (v3) – which means that friends and colleagues who swear constantly are probably lost or seriously backsliding

4. There are a variety of gifts by the same Spirit (v4) – do you know your gifts?

5. Focus on service (v5) is an aspect we often neglect. The edification of others was one of the key issues in Corinth…..we often skip over “you are not your own” (1 Cor 6:19b-20)

6. Different means of working, but all gifts in all men controlled by one Spirit (v6) – the concept of unity in diversity is a key element of the Body – with men and women freely using their gifts rather than one group controlling who does what.

7. Everyone has at least one gift! (v7) – this is a vivid reminder of the value of each individual made in the image of God and especially believers redeemed by the savior on the Cross – there is no excuse for inclusion and acceptance in the Body. Each believer is precious, no matter what their gifts! Discuss examples of members of the congregation who may be mentally handicapped, poor, of minority descent….etc… and how we can better include them in our lives.

8. Gifts Listed (v 8-10) – some of these are self-evident, others need to be discerned.

A. message of wisdom

B. message of knowledge

C. faith

D. healing

E. miracles

F. prophecy

G. distinguishing spirits

H. tongues

I. interpretation of tongues

9. The sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in determining gifts links back to the Deity of the Spirit – should we pray to the Spirit for specific gifts? Should we praise the Spirit for gifting He has given?

IV. Secondary Passages – Romans 12: 1-8

1. Presence of the Holy Spirit in the renewing of our minds (v 1-2)

2. The core criteria of humility (v 3)

3. The criteria of unity and mutual service (v 4-5)

4. The differences between believers are God-given and must be used (v6-8)

5. Gifts enumerated – compare to 1 Cor list. What do you observe?

A. prophecy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy

6. Ephesians 4……apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor/teachers.

V. Fruit of the Spirit…..fruit is singular (it’s a package deal)….love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

VII. Conclusion

The indwelling of the Spirit is the basic test of salvation. To accurately diagnose our spiritual condition, we must not be ignorant of the work and the gifts of the Spirit. We must understand the principles of the gifts, the fact that everyone has at least one gift, and that all the gifts are equally necessary for the smooth functioning of the Body of Christ. We must understand the gifting we have received, and that it is not our own, but something that must be shared with the Community of believers. Finally, we must be aware of the fruit we are to exhibit, and to use that reality as the method for measuring our progress and growth, and for admonishing and encouraging others. We must ask for the gifts with right motives, and use them with the intent to edify the church!

Application Assignment: Consider the degree to which you experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. What fruit of the Spirit do you see? Do you know your spiritual gifts? Are you serving in your giftedness? How can you better serve your community or the church? Talk about the gifts that you earnestly desire and pray for to receive those! Pray that the Holy Spirit would encourage you and invade every aspect of your life, and ask Him to fill you!

SESSION FOUR: The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church

I. Introduction:

A. “My faith is private”. “I don’t attend a church”, “I relate directly to the Lord”. These are common comments we hear more and more. Barna predicts that a growing number of people will have their Christian spiritual community on the Internet. Is that possible? Biblical?

B. The life of the believer, who has been drawn to salvation by the Holy Spirit, given spiritual gifts, and then placed in the process of sanctification, is called to be in the community of the Body of Christ. It is in this context, the church, that the Holy Spirit continues the work He has begun in the life of the believer. Wayne Grudem in fact indicates that the Church is the special workplace of the Spirit.  “The work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church”. (Systematic Theology, page 634).

II. Key Passages – 1 Cor 12:13, Ephesians 4:3, Philippians 2:1 – Unity and Fellowship are the core design mandates for the church, both of which are centrally empowered by the Holy Spirit.

1. Unity – We are told that we have all been baptized by One Spirit into one Body. For salvation to be genuine, we must join the Body and serve in it, with no prejudice based on our background racially or spiritually.

2. Peace – we are to maintain unity through the bond of peace. Are we at peace with one another?

3. Fellowship – the Greek “Koinonia” – word study indicates a broad number of activities, all bathed in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Includes evangelism, communion, sharing together, partnership in the gospel, and tenderness, compassion and care among believers.

4. Application – How are we doing on the dimensions of unity and inclusiveness, peace and true fellowship in our families, this group, and our churches?

III. Key Church/Body/Believer activities impacted by the Spirit

1. Worship – We “worship by the Spirit” (Phil 3:3) – we are unable to worship properly without His presence. This has major implications for preparing our hearts for worship every time we do so, including confession, seeking of filling by the Spirit, and being blameless to participate in the power of the righteousness of the Spirit.

2. Prayer – Prayer is empowered at all levels by the Holy Spirit. How is the prayer life of our church?

A. The Spirit intercedes for us with “groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26).

B. We are asked to pray for others needs in the “love of the Spirit” (Rom 15:30).

C. We are commanded to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph 6:18). There is no doubt that prayer is to be permeated with the power of the Holy Spirit. As we pray in the Spirit, we should pray for our leaders to become people of prayer, and for the Spirit to gift and draw those who have the gifts of healing and wisdom and knowledge to our church’s prayer ministry.

3. Ministry of the Word – Not only is the basic gift and activity of Bible teaching governed by the Spirit, we also see the power of the Spirit in the broader ministry of the Word of God. Paul also commands believers to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph 6:17) as a routine action in spiritual warfare and spiritual vigilance. The Spirit teaches (Acts 28) and brings the ord of God (1 Tim 4:1).

4. Evangelism – The power to witness (Acts 1:8)

IV. Conclusion – Developing a bigger vision for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our churches!

Application: What can you do to practice and discover greater intimacy with other believers through the power of the Holy Spirit? How can the Holy Spirit empower radical discipleship? How about explosive evangelism? What will you do differently? Try this experiment: journal in the Holy Spirit. Ask God any question you need His guidance on…..and then listen for 10-20 minutes, writing everything He tells you down, and then act on it! Try the folowing prayers, too!

Morning time :

“Lord, thank you for being my first thought today. Lord, I’d like to start this day with a few moments alone in quiet in your presence. Lord, You alone are awesome, perfect, worthy of worship, and I yield my heart to You today. Thank you for the breath of life and for Your gracious willingness to have me as one of Your children. Lord, I surrender this new day to You – all of its possibilities, and all of its trials. I desire intensely to abide in you today Lord, and I pray for Your Spirit to fill me for that purpose, that You would be glorified by my thoughts and actions.

Lord, I pray that Your Spirit would guide every decision, every thought, and that my pride and ego would be disarmed today. I pray that the Evil one would be bound in my life today, in the name of Jesus. I pray that no sin would deftly entangle, but that it would be revealed by Your Spirit. I pray that my busyness would be denied today and that I would be available to You Lord, for whatever interruption or assignment You have for me. As I study your Word Lord, let the Spirit be my teacher, and protect me from all false teachers.

Let my maturity be based on obedience of the heart for Your two great commandments. Let me dwell in You today, not in my strength, and let me be for You and from You. Fill my thoughts today with Your awesome presence Lord, and bring to my mind every minute the gratitude and the wonder of living life in communion with You. Let my day be a constant conversation with You Lord. You are the object of my desire. I pray these things in hunger and expectation, in Jesus name. Amen”.

Evening time :

"Lord, thank you for this day and the way You moved in it. I am so thankful for Your constant presence and for Your unending patience, love, kindness, faithfulness, and provision. Even though my emotions or circumstances may have suggested otherwise, I know that You were in control of every detail, and that every detail was designed or allowed by You for my good. So I rejoice in You regardless of what happened today.

I worship You in Spirit and in truth. Lord, I have sinned today, and I seek Your forgiveness and cleansing. I take the blame for my errors and omissions, and give You the glory for all the good in today. I pray that as I sleep, Your Spirit would teach me and change my heart. I pray that Your presence would fill my dreams, and that you would protect me and my family. I praise You for being all sufficient and for being a Holy Father whom I can call Daddy. I love You, in Jesus name.”

How to Pray in Faith to be Filled with the Holy Spirit

We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:

"Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit."

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.