Study Guide

The Holy Spirit

Personality, Power, and Purpose

Session 1: Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Key Question

Who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do?

Core Truth

The Holy Spirit is not a force. He is a Person within the Trinity who convicts, teaches, leads, empowers, and glorifies Christ.

Primary Scriptures
Key Teaching Points
  • He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
  • He guides believers into truth.
  • He does not speak independently but glorifies Christ.
  • He gives life.
  • He empowers believers to speak.
Reflection Questions
  1. Have I viewed the Holy Spirit more as a force or as a Person?
  2. Where have I sensed conviction in my life?
  3. What area do I need the Spirit’s guidance in right now?

Session 2: The Holy Spirit in Scripture

Core Truth

When the Spirit moves, things change.

Primary Scriptures
Teaching Emphasis

Old Testament: The Spirit came upon individuals. New Testament: The Spirit dwells in believers.

The shift from “with you” to “in you” is foundational.

Discussion
  • What does it mean that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
  • How does this affect daily behavior?

Session 3: Righteous in Christ, Growing in Character

Core Truth

We are righteous in position and becoming righteous in practice.

Primary Scriptures
Teaching Points
  • The veil is torn.
  • We have access to God.
  • The Spirit produces fruit before power.
Exercise

Identify which fruit of the Spirit is strongest in your life. Which one needs development?

Session 4: The Baptism and Filling of the Holy Spirit

Key Question

Is there more after salvation?

Primary Scriptures
Teaching Points
  • Salvation brings the indwelling Spirit.
  • Scripture also describes an empowering experience.
  • We are commanded to continue being filled.
Reflection

Have you experienced boldness, deeper prayer, or spiritual hunger following times of filling?

Session 5: The Leading of the Holy Spirit

Core Truth

The sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. (Romans 8:14)

Primary Scriptures
Teaching Points

The Spirit leads through inner witness, conviction, burden, vision, Scripture, peace or restraint.

Practical Application
  1. Pray.
  2. Check Scripture.
  3. Seek counsel.
  4. Evaluate peace.
  5. Confirm fruit.

Session 6: The Gifts of the Spirit

Core Truth

Spiritual gifts are given to build up the body.

Primary Scriptures
Categories of Gifts
  • Revelation Gifts: Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Discerning of Spirits
  • Power Gifts: Faith, Healings, Miracles
  • Spoken Gifts: Tongues, Interpretation, Prophecy
Foundational Principle

Gifts without love are nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

Session 7: Tongues and Prophecy

Tongues
  1. Sign to unbelievers (Acts 2)
  2. Tongues with interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:5)
  3. Personal prayer language (1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:4)
Prophecy

Foretelling: predictive. Forth-telling: edification, exhortation, comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Discussion
  • How do we test a prophetic word?
  • Does it align with Scripture?
  • Does it build up the body?

Session 8: Practicing Spiritual Gifts Safely

Guardrails
  • Must align with Scripture
  • Must glorify Christ
  • Must edify
  • Must operate in love
  • Must be accountable

If unsure: Share with leadership first.

Session 9: The Spirit and the Word

Word without Spirit: dry. Spirit without Word: unstable. Word and Spirit together: growth.

Core Scriptures

Final Emphasis

The purpose of the Holy Spirit is not experience for its own sake.

The purpose is Christ glorified, believers matured, the Church strengthened, and the world reached.

All to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)