Homegroup Study: John's Gospel and the Holy Spirit (John 13-16)

Introduction (below)
Study 1 Everyone Will Know You Are My Disciples (John 13:21-38)
Study 2 A time of Questions (John14:1-14)
Study 3 The Holy Spirit (John 14:15-31)
Study 4 Fruitful Living for Jesus (John 15:1-17)
Study 5 Witnessing and the World (John 15:18-25)
Study 6 Who is the Holy Spirit? (John 15:26 - 16:16)

Introduction
This term our focus will be on the work of the Holy Spirit as revealed to us by Jesus in John’s gospel. Our Bible studies will link us to the Farewell Discourse, which is the name often given to John’s passage in 13:31 – 16:33. So this passage will be the heart of our studies this term together, and I hope we will see that it is a very important one for understanding this important topic of the work of God the Holy Spirit.
 
The work and person of the Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel is grounded in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts of sin, glorifies the person of Jesus and changes believers into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts people of their selfishness and sin and points them towards Jesus in order that they may, with assurance, “draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). This series of studies explores the person and work of the Holy Spirit, who acts sovereignly to give life and indwells and teaches God’s people in order to deepen their understanding of the work of Jesus. If you like, the Holy Spirit is the spotlight that focuses our attention on Jesus, the hero of the Bible’s story. The Holy Spirit is the one who commissions God’s people so as to send them out to speak about the glory of Jesus. John, in the pages of his gospel, has deliberately shown a view of the Holy Spirit that is relational, personal, and intimate. The Holy Spirit longs to breathe new life into those who come to Jesus. He also longs to set them apart for Jesus by his Word and by washing them with the sanctifying power of the Word of God.
 
In these studies, you will find small boxes unpacking a little bit more about the Holy Spirit and his Ministry among the local Church. It is exciting to see that the Holy Spirit is a promise of Jesus fulfilled to bless and strengthen the local church for both mission and ministry.