JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

WEEK 4

The Help You Need

MONDAY
The Importance of the Holy Spirit – Part 1

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we
will come and make our home with each of them.
— JOHN 14:23 NLT

As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit – God’s Spirit – lives in our
spirit. It’s important for us to understand that He is a person who has a personality, a
will, a mind, knowledge and that He wants to communicate with us. He wants to
reveal God’s will, purpose and plans to us.

In 1 Corinthians 12:1, Paul introduces an amazing aspect of the Holy Spirit’s role in
our lives. What is it?
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According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, how does the work of the Holy Spirit equip us
individually to serve God?
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 JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

Verse 7 explains the primary purpose of this work in our lives. What is it?
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1 Corinthians 12:8-11 lists 9 spiritual gifts that are given by the Holy Spirit. What are
they? What gift(s) do you feel the Holy Spirit has given you?
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The Holy Spirit wants to do supernatural things in you, for you and through you!

—Joyce
 JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

TUESDAY
The Importance of the Holy Spirit – Part 2

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good,
expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the
Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not
come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you
[to be in close fellowship with you].
— JOHN 16:7 AMPC

In this verse, Jesus reveals more about who the Holy Spirit is and how He operates in
our lives. The Holy Spirit is constantly with us and He works around the clock to help
us – He speaks to us individually, in a variety of ways! The Holy Spirit cares about
everything that concerns you and He is standing by to help you in every way that you
need Him.

What does the Bible say we have to do to receive the Holy Spirit in Luke 11:13?
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The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will produce fruit in our lives. According to
Galatians 5:22-23, what fruit should we expect to see?
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According to Ephesians 4:30, what has the Holy Spirit done for us?
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Jesus promises we can experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit when
we follow Him in John 14:15-16. How does He describe the Holy Spirit? How should
we expect Him to help us and how dependable is He?
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Jesus didn’t die so we could have a religion. He died so that we could have a real
relationship with God through the Holy Spirit!
—Joyce
 JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

WEDNESDAY
The Guidance of the Holy Spirit – Part 1

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy
Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
— JOHN 14:26 NLT

Did you know that if you are a believer you have a helper that is with you all the
time? The Holy Spirit is here to help us and guide us in every area of our lives. 

Today, let’s see what the Word of God has to tell us about following the guidance of
the Holy Spirit.

In John 16:7-8 why did Jesus say it was better if He went away?
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According to John 16:8, what is the unique job of the Holy Spirit? How does this
verse encourage you when dealing with others?
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In John 16:12-13, Jesus said He had many things to tell us but we couldn’t handle
them all at once. How does the Holy Spirit help with this?
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 JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

Even as Christians we can feel lost, but we never have to be discouraged or fearful
because of God’s promise to us in Psalm 48:14. What is it?
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Sometimes we don’t understand what is happening in our lives and we find that God
is taking us in a direction we did not expect. According to Romans 8:28, what can we
count on during these difficult seasons?
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The Holy Spirit knows WHAT to show you and WHEN to show it to you. He has your
best interest in mind.
—Joyce
 JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

THURSDAY
The Guidance of the Holy Spirit – Part 2

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very
words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
— JOHN 6:63 NLT

The presence of the Holy Spirit with us is the greatest, most precious gift we could
ever receive! He is literally everything we need, and as we develop a personal,
intimate relationship with Him, we can have “the mind of Christ…and…hold the
thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart” (1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPC).

According to Ephesians 5:18 (AMPC), how often should we be filled with the Spirit?
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Take a close look at 1 Corinthians 2:16 and Philippians 4:7. What is our reassurance
that we can stay on track with God’s plans and purposes, and what amazing benefit
do we have through our relationship with Him?
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What does Paul say his purpose in life is in Philippians 3:10? How does the Holy
Spirit help with this?
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Philippians 3:10 is a great reminder to us all what our number one aspiration should
be in this life. How does God’s promise to us in Psalm 91:14 encourage us in this
lifelong endeavor?
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When we face the worst of times the Holy Spirit is there to strengthen our faith. One
of the best examples of this is Job. When Job was facing truly overwhelming
circumstances, what did the Holy Spirit help him to “know” in Job 19:25?
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You are never alone. He will never leave you or forsake you!
—Joyce
 JOYCE UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE

FRIDAY
Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we
are children of God.
— ROMANS 8:16 AMPC

The Holy Spirit lives inside of us to lead us and show us the things we should do and
the things we shouldn’t do. One way we learn how to hear His voice is by
understanding that He has emotions and He can be grieved. Because He lives in us,
when He feels grieved, we will feel it too. We should always thank Him for convicting
us when we make mistakes and strive to be constantly sensitive to His direction
because He only wants what is best for us.

When we give our heart to God and accept Christ as our Savior, we come into the
most intimate, personal relationship we can ever experience. How do we see this
described in 1 Corinthians 6:19?
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In 1 Thessalonians 5:19 and Ephesians 4:30 we are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit.
What are the some of the things that Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:31-32 to both
avoid and to do so that we do not stifle His work in our lives?
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John 14:23 reveals the fruit of true love and commitment to Christ. What is it and
how does God respond to those who live this way?
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According to Romans 8:5-6, how can we evaluate whether we’re being sensitive to
the Holy Spirit or not? What is the result of following His lead instead of our own
thoughts and ways?
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More than anything else, we need to know God – to understand His heart for us, His
character and hear His Spirit speaking to us. Read Hosea 6:3 and make it your
prayer today, putting it in your own words.
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When you spend time with the Holy Spirit, life does not get boring.
—Joyce