LESSON TWENTY-FOUR (24)
TOPIC: THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 16:12-14.
[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
[14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Holy Spirit, please guide me at all times in Jesus’ name.
MEMORY VERSE: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” John 16:13.
INTRODUCTION: Jesus, before His ascension, told His disciples that His Father would send the Comforter – The Holy Spirit – who would teach and guide all those who believe in Him (John 14:26; 16:7). This promise of Jesus was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came with power on believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). Now, when a person believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately becomes a part of his life (Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
LESSON AIM: To teach students about how to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
• Know that the Holy Spirit is part of their lives.
• Understand the functions of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
• Distinguish between our thoughts and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.TEACHING PLAN:
To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, and do class activities and assignments.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outline, summarize, conclude, evaluate the lesson, and give an assignment to the students.
TEXT REVIEW: John 16:12-14.
Jesus Christ, while preparing His disciples for His departure, encouraged and told them about the Holy Spirit and some of His expected roles.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. V12.
Summarize the functions of the Holy Spirit in verses 13 and 14:
i. ……………………………..………………………
ii. ………..………………..………………………..
iii. …….…………………………………………….
iv. ………… ……………………………………….
v. …………..………………………………………..
vi. …….…………………………………………….
OUTLINES:
1. FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
2. OUR THOUGHTS VERSUS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING
1. FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. The Holy Spirit has many functions. Not only does He distribute spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), He also:
i. Reproves (John 16:8),
ii. Comforts (John 14:16),
iii. Teaches and reminds (John 14:26),
iv. Remains in us as a seal of promise upon our hearts until the day of Jesus’ return (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
B. The Holy Spirit also takes on the role of a Guide and Counsellor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10).
The Holy Spirit has many functions. Not only does He distribute spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), He also reproves (John 16:8), comforts (John 14:16), teaches and reminds (John 14:26) and remains in us as a seal of promise upon our hearts until the day of Jesus’ return (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit also takes on the role of a Guide and Counsellor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12; 1Corinthians 2:6-10).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1:
Share your experience on how the Holy Spirit has been leading you.
2. OUR THOUGHTS VERSUS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING
A. Some believers today are still confused in discerning between their thoughts leading them to do something and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. To identify the one in control at a particular time is a goal we must attain. Some of the things to note about our thoughts include the fact that:
i. Our desires and feelings may affect or dictate our thought patterns. Thoughts can be unstable and sometimes misleading. It wanders from one end to another.
ii. Our thoughts may be sensual (Romans 8:5). It can lead us astray and eventually bring harm. Fear is a product of uncontrolled thoughts. It is important to check with the Holy Spirit even when the thought seems positive.
B. However, the Holy Spirit can dominate our thoughts (when we have fully surrendered them to Him) and use them to establish the will of God.
i. The Holy Spirit sometimes guides us through our conscience (Romans 9:1).
ii. The word of God is one of the most important ways to recognise the Holy Spirit’s guidance (2Timothy 3:16; 2:15). The Spirit will use it to reveal God’s will to us in times of need (John 16:12-14; 14:26).
iii. Knowledge of God’s word helps us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:11).
iv. It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer (in the Spirit) to keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Rom. 8:26-27).
v. The leading of the Holy Spirit also brings peace (Romans 15:13).
C. When we know the will of God but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives (Acts 7:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we follow our ways, it grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit will never lead us into sin.
D. Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the word.
Some believers today are still confused in discerning between their thoughts leading them to do something and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. To identify the one in control at a particular time is a goal we must attain. Some of the things to note about our thoughts include the fact that our desires and feelings may affect or dictate our thought patterns. Thoughts can be unstable and sometimes misleading. It wanders from one end to another. Our thoughts may be sensual (Romans 8:5). It can lead us astray and eventually bring harm. Fear is a product of uncontrolled thoughts. It is important to check with the Holy Spirit even when the thought seems positive.
However, the Holy Spirit can dominate our thoughts (when we have fully surrendered them to Him) and use them to establish the will of God. The Holy Spirit sometimes guides us through our conscience (Romans 9:1). The word of God is one of the most important ways to recognise the Holy Spirit’s guidance (2 Timothy 3:16; 2:15). The Spirit will use it to reveal God’s will to us in times of need (John 16:12-14; 14:26). Knowledge of God’s word helps us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:11). It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer (in the Spirit) to keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading (1Thessalonians 5:17; Rom. 8:26-27). The leading of the Holy Spirit also brings peace (Romans 15:13).
When we know the will of God but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives (Acts 7:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we follow our ways, it grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit will never lead us into sin. Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the word.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10, how sensitive/obedient are you to the Holy Spirit?
CONCLUSION: Be constantly in tune with the Holy Spirit.
QUESTIONS:
* State four functions of the Holy Spirit.
* In three ways, compare your thoughts with the Holy Spirit’s leading.
EVALUATION: Differentiate between human thoughts and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
CLOSING PRAYER: Dear Holy Spirit, help me to be sensitive to your leading in Jesus’ Name.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) functions of the Holy Spirit (2×5=10 Marks).
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest 6⁶
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?