"Give Thanks to the Lord" - Rev. Susan Salo

Do we always have to like people in order to love them? How does this change your perspective on Christian love?

Read John 14:15-16. Why does Jesus say "If you love me, keep my commands, and...the Father will give you another advocate..."? Why are loving and obeying so crucial to receiving the Holy Spirit?

Does your translation have a different word than "advocate" in John 14:16? 

In your experience, what kinds of things happen when the Holy Spirit comes? Was it unexpected? Or not really a surprise to you?

Read Acts 2:1-4. Do you think the believers at Pentecost expected what happened? Were they ready for what God did that day?

How do we test if a word or activity is the work of the Holy Spirit or not?

Do you see your self as primarily a sinner who sometimes gets it right, or a saint who sometimes sins? Why?

In what ways does God assure you that God loves you? 

Pray: 
Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing to draw me to yourself. Holy Spirit, I can't imagine being without you. You fill my life with your glory, the glory of our Father in heaven. Help me to spread this, the hope of heaven to everyone, in my family, in my community and everywhere. Amen.