This month's memory verse

Romans 8:13-14

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

 

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Isaiah 63:11-14
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Apr 28
Ezekiel 3:1-27
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Apr 29

 

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Who is the Holy Spirit?

Key Verse | Isaiah 63:14

Like livestock that go down into the valley,
    the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

Isaiah 63:11-14

11Then they remembered those days of old

when Moses led his people out of Egypt.

They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea,

with Moses as their shepherd?

Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit

to be among his people?

12Where is the one whose power was displayed

when Moses lifted up his hand—

the one who divided the sea before them,

making himself famous forever?

13Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea?

They were like fine stallions

racing through the desert, never stumbling.

14As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley,

the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.

You led your people, Lord,

and gained a magnificent reputation.”

Footnotes

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Imagine you get a new remote-control car. You take it out of the packaging to play with, you get really excited, put it on the ground, then realized it doesn’t work. You look at the car and inspect it, trying to figure out why it’s not working. Then you realize it need batteries! Trying to play with that car without batteries is kind of pointless. It won’t do what it was designed to do because it has no power, and you won’t have fun playing with it. The Church without the Holy Spirit is like that remote car without batteries.

The Holy Spirit is what makes the Church possible. The Holy Spirit calls people to Jesus, helps people know right from wrong, gives believers gifts to serve others, and guides believers every day. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we get to be a church that listens and follows where the Spirit leads.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would be given to certain people to help them finish an important job God had asked them to do. Get to know the Holy Spirit more by looking at Isaiah 63:11-14.

  1. What event is Isaiah talking about?
  2. Who is mentioned in this passage?
  3. What does the Holy Spirit do in the event?
  4. What did the Holy Spirit give the people?

Challenge: Read more passages from the Old Testament and explore and underline all the places you see the Holy Spirit or the LORD taking action.

  • Exodus 13:17-14:31
  • Genesis 1:1-2
  • 1 Samuel 16:11-13
  • Judges 3:7-11

The Holy Spirit Today

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit was given to all the believers in Jesus to help them as they shared the Good News of Jesus with other people and the church grew. We see this is Acts 1:8 and Acts 2. 

Today, the Holy Spirit still helps believers every day. Look at some of the different ways the Holy Spirit helps us and pick 2 you want to thank, ask, or praise him for doing in your life. Spend a few minutes praying for each of the items you picked.

  • Guides—”Those led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)
  • Gives power—”You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1:8)
  • Teaches & reminds—”The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you of everything I said.” (John 14:26)
  • Shows us our sin—”He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)
  • Prays for us—”The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
  • Comforts—”The church was strengthened and living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:31)
  • Gives gifts—”All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)
  • Produces fruit/character—”The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
  • Makes you a child of God—”You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)
  • Makes us more like Jesus—”God chose you through sanctification by the Spirit.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
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