SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON. MAY 20, 2018 TOPIC: Why The Holy Spirit Came (Pentecost)

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.  MAY 20, 2018

TOPIC: Why The Holy Spirit Came (Pentecost)

MEMORY VERSE: John 15:26. When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me (KJV).

LESSON TEXT: John 14:15-26; 15:26-27;16:7-14; Acts 2:1-4; Romans 8:26-27.

CENTRAL TRUTH: The Holy Spirit enables us to live for God and make the gospel known to the world.

FOCUS: To understand God’s purpose of sending the Holy Spirit and rely on the Spirit’s help for Christian living and witness.

OUTLINE:

1.     The Spirit Came at Pentecost

A.   The Spirit promised

B.   The Spirit in Believers

C.   The Spirit’s Arrival

2.     The Spirit Helps Believers

A.   Our Teacher

B.   Our Guide

C.   Our Helper in Prayer

3.     The Spirit Convinces the World

A.   Testifies of Jesus

B.   Convicts and Convinces

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1.     Articulate the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives

2.     Recognise the various roles the Spirit fulfills in the lives of Christians.

3.     Appreciate the Holy Spirit’s work in convincing and convicting the lost, drawing them to Christ.

INTRODUCING THE LESSON
QUESTION: What do we celebrate or recognize when we observe Pentecost Sunday?
    Pentecost Sunday recognizes the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The Spirit extra ordinary move almost 2000 years ago affects the world even today. The Holy Spirit makes repentance, salvation, Spirit baptism, and discipleship possible. This Counsellor and Comforter works in believers’ lives to empower them mightily for God’s purposes.
COMMENTARY  AND  APPLICATION

1.     The Spirit Came at Pentecost

    The Bible reveals to us that God exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is present in events in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, thought once we come to New Testament we see the spirit’s  involvement  more clearly. After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Spirit became central and active within the Church as well as the lives of individual Christians. The Spirit was always present, yet He arrived in a dramatic way on what is now referred to as Pentecost Sunday.

A.   The Spirit Promised.  John 14:15-17

    QUESTION: Why was it important for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit after His ascension?
     On the night of the last Supper, Jesus had a long discussion with His disciples ( see John 13-17). During this time Jesus instructed them to do what He commanded, and do so out of motivation of love (John 14:15). While His disciples did love Him, they would not always find it easy to do what He commanded. They could need help, and Jesus was going to provide that help for them. Once He was gone, He would send them a Helper, the Holy Spirit. Scripture describes the Spirit as a Comforter (verse 16, KJV) or Advocate (NIV). Jesus also identified the Holy Spirit as “ the Spirit of Truth” (verse 17).
QUESTION: Why is it significant to refer to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of Truth” ?
      This is the essential role of the Spirit in guiding Christians into truth and exposing falsehood. Although Jesus would soon die, rise again, and ascend into heaven, the Holy Spirit would be with them always.

B.   The Spirit in Believers.  John 14:17-18.

QUESTION: For Whom is the Spirit Sent?
      The Spirit is sent for believers. He indwells all who know Christ, and He also empowers them for service. Yet the Spirit has a message for the world as well: New life is available through Christ.
      Jesus noted that the world cannot accept the Spirit because they do not know the Spirit (verse 17). Note that the word “know” in this instance refers to experiencing knowledge. We come to know the Spirit because the Spirit lives within us and is at work within us.
      Jesus also assured the disciples that He would not leave them comfortless (verse 18). This word can also mean “orphans”. In Bible times, orphans were often mistreated and sometimes even sold as slaves because they had no one to protect them. This reaffirms the truth that Jesus would never truly leave His people alone. Just as Jesus had been their Friend and Guide, the Spirit would fill that role as well.

C.   The Spirit’s Arrival.  Acts 2:1-4

     The Holy Spirit has always been present, but the event recorded in Acts 2:1-4 fulfilled the promise Christ from John 14 and ushered in the Spirit-empowered Early Church.
QUESTION: What do these verses tell you about the scene in the Upper Room?
       A number of significant facts are given. Those present were in “one accord” (verse 1,KJV). That is, they were unified and of one mind. Suddenly, miraculous events took place that could be seen and heard through their physical senses: the sound of rushing wind and appearance of what looked like tongues of fire resting on each of them (verse 2-3). These two miraculous scenes were not repented in future manifestation of the Spirit. However, the third manifestation was. They all spoke in languages they had never learned (verse 4).
      The miracle of speaking in unknown languages was especially significant in that it served as a witness to all who heard them. People from throughout the ancient world were in Jerusalem that day, and they recognized the languages that were spoken. This confirmed the reality of what was happening and thus testified to the power of  the gospel that would be preached from that day forward.

2.     The Spirit Helps Believers.

    The Holy Spirit dwells in the lives of Christians for a specific reason. Although the Spirit provides comfort, assurance of salvation, and guidance into the truth, there are several specific roles the Spirit fulfills for those who follow Jesus.

A.   Our Teacher.  John 14:26

     Jesus told the disciples the Spirit would teach believers. We might conclude this takes place in two ways. First, He will teach them “all things”. He helps believers understand everything that needs to be known to live for Christ. Second, the Spirit helps believers remember all that they have learned of Christ’s teachings.
     Jesus did not say the Spirit would enable us understand all that can be known about God and His creation. Rather, the Spirit equips us to understand all that can be known about God and His creation. Rather, the Spirit equips us to understand and apply the truths within the word of God. It is of great value and comfort to know that the Spirit is there to help us at critical times when we need to recal or recognize spiritual truth.
QUESTION: How can the promise of the Spirit impact the way we use the Word of God?
    We need to know the Word, then truth the Spirit to bring it to mind at just the right moments in time. Christians face all manner of trials and difficulties. It is comforting to know the spirit can bring the words of Jesus and the promises of the Scripture to our mind.

B.   Our Guide.  John 16:12-14

QUESTION: Why do you think the disciples needed to be guided into truth (John 16:12-13), even what they needed to know?
    Left to themselves, the disciples might have forgotten what Jesus taught. The human mind is limited and flawed. Furthermore, false teachers and teachings can bring about  subtle changes in understanding that ultimately lead one very much off course. Christians today, just like the first disciples, can be confident that the Spirit will never lead them down a path of destruction. For those who will listen, the Spirit provides divine insight and instruction regarding truth.
    It is also important to note that the Spirit came to glorify Christ. When the Spirit instructs us in Christ’s teachings, calling to mind His Words, He is glorifying Christ. Simply put, the Spirit glorifies Christ by making Christ known. As the Spirit works through the gifted He grants to believers, those gifts ultimately bring glory to Christ.

C.   Our Helper in Prayer. Romans 8:26-27

   Roman 8:26-27 speaks to a moment of great weakness in the Christian’s life. When we are overwhelmed and confused to the point that we cannot pray, the Spirit intercedes for us. When He does, we find assurance that He does not communicate anything outside of the Father’s will (verse 27). The Spirit’s intercession brings about restoration, strength, and hope.
QUESTION: Why does every Christian, whether new to the faith or a life-long believer, need help in prayer?
    Every believer has weakness, and the Holy Spirit can use those weaknesses for the glory of God.
     Our weaknesses leave us powerless in our prayers. But the Spirit guides us, using both human words and words in heavenly languages. We can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower our prayers.

3.     The Spirit Convinces the World

A.   Testifies of Jesus. - John 15:26-27

     The work of the Holy Spirit isn’t limited to the lives of Christian. The Spirit also guides people to Jesus (John 15:26).
QUESTION: Since the Holy Spirit guides people to Jesus, what then is the responsibility of Christians in evangelism?
     The Great Commission comments Christians to go and make disciples. Proclamation of Christ, then, is part of the Christian’s responsibility. We work together with the Spirit, under the Spirit’s direction, to proclaim the name of Jesus to all who need to hear (verse 27). We must keep in mind, however, that only the Spirit can draw people to the Saviour. As we cooperate with Spirit, God’s kingdom will expand and the name of Jesus will be glorified.
QUESTION: What are some reasons people shy away from proclaiming Christ, and how can the Spirit overcome our hesitations?
   Sometimes we fear an unfavourable response. Other times we feel as if we don’t have the right things to say, in part because we don’t known what an unbeliever is thinking or experiencing. When we rely on the Spirit, we can rest in the confidence that the Spirit knows what needs to be said and why.

B.   Convicts and Convinces.-  John 16:7-11

QUESTION: What, specifically, does John 16:7-11 say regarding the conviction of the Holy Spirit?
     First, the Spirit plays a central role in convicting  and convincing people of their  sin. Without the Spirit’s convicting power, people would never become aware of their spiritual lost state.
     In John 16:7-11, Jesus spoke to this activity of the Spirit. Through the Spirit people are convicted regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment (verse 8). This work draws the guilty to repentance and forgiveness.
     We live in a world steeped in the belief that right and wrong are relative. The truths of God’s Word, being absolute, are rejected as needless, outdated, and even offensive in the eyes of those who do not follow Christ. As a result, we will not in ourselves convince anyone of their sin. But the Holy Spirit accomplishes this task perfectly (verse 8). We must trust the Spirit.
     The Spirit also reproves those who deny their need for Christ (verse 9-11). Our world often focuses on the innate goodness and self-sufficiency of humanity. Through the Spirit, sinners recognize their lostness, as well as real danger of Judgment.
QUESTION: What promise can Christians find in knowing that the Spirit convicts of righteousness and judgement (verse 10-11)?
     Righteousness here refers to Jesus’ righteousness, given to every believer. Through Him, we are delivered from the judgment awaiting all who do not call on His name.
     As  Christians, we gave glory to God that Satan is condemned before God (verse 11). Through the Spirit we find strength to live for Christ no matter the spiritual challenges we face from the enemy of our soul.

DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION
    The Holy Spirit was sent for the benefit of all believers. He is your most important guide and giver of strength in live in ministry. Give thanks to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every day, seek the Spirit guidance and instruction, as He guides you into a deeper relationship with the Savior and helps you live a victorious Christian life.
     Although this may be challenging, ask the Spirit to search your life and bring conviction to areas in live which you lack submission to Jesus. Respond with obedience and worship, giving thanks to the Lord for the gift of the Spirit.

MINISTRY IN ACTION
    There is a place and time in evangelism for preaching, teaching and discussing Scriptures. However, without the convincing power of the Spirit all efforts will fail. Pray as a class for unbelieving friends and family members. Ask the Spirit to convince them of their need for salvation.