Sunday, 28th May, 2023: Adults Sunday School Lesson 22.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, NIGERIA.
ADULTS SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 22,
JANUARY-JUNE, 2023
SUNDAY, 28TH MAY, 2023.
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 he Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me (KJV).

Central Truth
The Holy Spirit enables us to live for Christ and make the gospel known to the world.

The Lesson Outline

1. The Spirit Came at Pentecost
John 14:5-18; Acts 2:1-4
A. TheSpirit Promised
B. The Spirit's Arrival

2. The Spirit Helps Believers
John 14;26; 16:12-14; Romans 8:26-27
A. Our Teacher and Guide
B. Our Helper in Prayer

3. The Spirit Convinces the World
John 15:26-27; 16:7-11
A. Testifies of Jesus
B. Convicts and Convinces

Learning Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Articulate the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
2. Recognise the various roles the Spirit fulfils in the lives of Christians.
3. Appreciate the Holy Spirit's work in convicting and convincing the lost, drawing them to Christ.
4. Seek to be filled with the Spirit.

Introducing the Lesson
Today, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the day on which God poured out His Spirit on the early disciples, giving them boldness to speak for Him and changing their lives forever! Like other celebrations within the Church, it's easy to look back at this event as a moment in history without fully understanding its meaning for us individually or for the Church in our day.


The Holy Scriptures
John 14:16-17
[16]And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17]Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Acts 2:4
[4]And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John 14:26
[26]But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:13
[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.
Romans 8:26-27
[26]Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
[27]And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
John 15:26-27
[26]But 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:
[27]And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:7-10
[7]Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
[8]And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
[9]Of sin, because they believe not on me;
[10]Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more.

Commentary and Application

1. The Spirit Came at Pentecost
A. The Spirit Promised- John 14:15-18
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus had a long discussion with His disciples (see John 13-16).

During this time Jesus instructed them to obey what He commanded, and do so out of love (John 14:15).

While His disciples did love Him, they would not always find it easy to do what He commanded. Jesus knew they would need help, so He was going to provide that help for them. He promised that, 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 (NLT).

Jesus also identified the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of truth" (verse 17, KJV). This points to the essential role of the Spirit in guiding Christians into truth and exposing falsehood.

Although Jesus was to soon die, rise again, and ascend into heaven, the Holy Spirit would be with them always.
The Spirit is sent for all believers.
He indwells all who know Christ and empowers them for service (Acts 1:8). 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 it does not know Him (John 14:17, KJV: "recognise him," NLT). Note that this refers to experiential 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 abandon them or leave them as 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.

Questions for Application
Why was it important for Jesus to teach His disciples about the Holy Spirit before His coming crucifixion?

How does the Holy Spirit's presence give you comfort?

B. The Spirit's Arrival- Acts 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit has always been present, but the events recorded in Acts 2:1-4 fulfilled the promise of Christ from John 14 and ushered in the Spirit-empowered Early Church. Luke provided a number of significant facts that led up to this event.

Those present were in "one accord (Acts 2:1, 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 the appearance of what looked like tongues of fire resting on each of them (verses 2-3).

These two miraculous scenes were not repeated in future manifestation of the Spirit.

However, the third manifestation was. They all miraculously spoke in languages they had never learned (verse 4).

Speaking in tongues is still the immediate, outward sign that someone has been filled with the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is not the gift, but a sign the person has received this gift. We are not to seek tongues, but to seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

This experience enables Spirit-filled believers to effectively participate in the mission of God. Luke made this clear in the Book of Acts.

Every believer needs to obey Christ's command and seek to be filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).

Questions for Application
Why was it important that the believers be in one accord when the Spirit was given?

What observable signs accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit? Why do you think these were important?

2. The Spirit Helps Believers
A. Our Teacher and Guide- John 14:26; 16:12-14

Jesus stated that the Spirit would teach believers (John 14:26).
This takes place in two ways. First, He will teach "all things." He helps believers understand everything they need to know 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 to understand all that can be known about God and His creation.

Rather, the Spirit equips us to understand and apply 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 recall or recognise spiritual truth.

We need to know the Word, then trust the Spirit to bring it to mind just the right moment.

Christians face all manner of trials and difficulties. It is comforting to know that the Spirit can bring the words of Jesus and the promises of Scripture to our minds.

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 Scripture 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 (John 16:14).

When the Spirit instructs us in Chrisť'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 gifts He grants to believers, those gifts ultimately bring glory to Christ.

Questions for Application

How can the promise of the Spirit impact the way we use the Word of God?

Why do you think the disciples needed to be guided into truth (John 16:12-13), even after Christ had taught them what they needed to know?

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

Romans 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 do not know how to pray, the Spirit is able to intercede 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.
The Holy Spirit will never ask for anything outside of God's will. So we see the importance of allowing the Spirit to pray through us.

This provides an extra level of confidence for Christians, knowing the Holy Spirit is praying for them and is strengthening them in times of distress.

Every believer has weaknesses, and the Holy Spirit can use those weaknesses for the glory of God.

Our weaknesses may 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 Spirit to guide and empower our prayers.

Questions for Application

Why does every Christian, whether new to the faith or a lifelong believer, need help in prayer?

What examples can you give of times when the Holy Spirit prayed through you when you did not know how to pray or what to say?


3. The Spirit Convinces the World

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

The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of truth." The world needs to hear the truth of the gospel, so the Holy Spirit will teach you more about Jesus and empower you to be an effective witness for Him.

The Great Commission commands 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 convict people of sin (John 6:44; 16:8).

As we cooperate with the Spirit, God's kingdom will expand and the name of Jesus will be glorified. Jesus called His disciples to go and teach others.
Through the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to "be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere" (Acts 1:8, NLT).

This task starts at home and extends to the entire world.
Sometimes we fail to fulfil our responsibility because 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 know 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.

Questions for Application
Since the Holy Spirit guides people to Jesus, what then is the responsibility of Christians in evangelism?

What are some reason people shy away from proclaiming Christ, and how can the Spirit overcome our hesitations?

B. Convicts and Convinces- John 16:7-11
The Spirit is essential in convicting and convincing people of their sin. Without the Spirit's convicting power, people would never become aware of their spiritually lost state.

Therefore, they would not be prompted to repent and turn from their sin. In John 16:7-11, Jesus taught about this activity of the Spirit.

Through the Spirit people are convicted regarding sin, righteousness, and judgement (verse 8). This work draws the guilty to repentance and to forgiveness.
We live in a world steeped in the belief that right and wrong are relative.

Many who do not follow Christ reject the absolute truth of God's Word, claiming they are needless, outdated, and even offensive.
As a result, we will not in ourselves convince anyone of their sin. But the Holy Spirit accomplishes this task perfectly. We must trust the Spirit.

In verse 9, Jesus explained why the Holy Spirit needs to convict the world of its sin. He said, "The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me" (NLT).
Our world often believes in the innate goodness and self-sufficiency of humanity.

Through the Spirit, sinners recognise their lostness, as well as the real danger of judgement.

Righteousness here refers to Jesus' righteousness, given to every believer (verse 10). Through Him, are delivered from the judgement awaiting all who do not call on His name.

As Christians, we can give glory to God that, even though Satan is condemned before God (John 16:11), we will not be a part of his judgement.

Through the Spirit, we find strength to live for Christ no matter the spiritual challenges we face from the enemy of our souls.

Questions for Application
What, specifically, does John 16:7-11 say regarding the conviction of the Holy Spirit?

What examples can you give of times when the Holy Spirit has brought conviction to you, even after you became a believer?

Call to Discipleship
The Holy Spirit was sent for the benefit of all believers. He is your most important Guide and Giver of strength in life and ministry.
Give thanks to the Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Everyday, seek the Spirit's guidance and instruction, as He guides you into a deeper relationship with the Saviour 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 which you lack submission to Jesus. Respond with obedience and worship, giving thanks to the Lord for the gift of the Spirit. If you have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.


Ministry in Action
Take time to listen to what the Holy Spirit may be.teaching you today.

If you have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, ask God to fill you with the Spirit.
Watch for opportunities the Holy Spirit brings to you where you can witness to someone about Jesus.

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