1. How does our passage describe what the Holy Spirit achieves for believers?

2. What did Jesus mean when he described the disciples as 'orphans' if he would permanently aban-don them?

3. In what ways do you feel like a spiritual 'orphan' today (particularly during 2020)? In what ways has God freed you from being an orphan?

4. How do you think the Holy Spirit speaks to us today?

5. Our passage has a strong emphasis on the centrality of God's Word in experiencing God's love: "command/commandment" mentioned 2x (v15, v21), "word" 3x (v23, v24). Why is it important then to keep God's Word central in seeking to experience the Holy Spirit?

6. V15: "If you love me, you will keep my commands." Our passage ties our obedience to God to our love for God. Does this truth excite you? In what ways might it be less appealing to consider for you personally?

7. V19b: "Because I live, you will live too." What does this verse teach us about what Christ achieved for believers, and how it helps us obey God?

To conclude, watch this 2min video with helpful reflective questions from Timothy Keller, and pick one or two to reflect on together.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsStN5kKfX4

Transcript of questions:
a) How real has God been to you this week to your heart?

b) How clear and vivid is your assurance and certainty of God's forgiveness and Fatherly love? To what degree is that real to you now?

c) Are you having any particular seasons of sweet delight in God? Do you really sense his presence in your life? Do you really sense him giving you his life?

d) Have you been finding scripture to be live and active? Instead of just being a book, do you find it coming at you and searching you and really alive and active in coming after you?

e) Are you finding certain Bible promises extremely precious and encouraging? Which ones?

f) Are you finding God challenging you or calling you to something through the Word? In what ways?

g) Are you finding God's Grace more glorious and moving now than you have in the past?

h) Are you conscious on the growing sense of the evil of your heart? And in response a growing de-pendence on and grasp of the preciousness of the mercy of God?