Promises From JesusParaugs

### HOLY SPIRIT Some days, following Jesus can be really hard. Sure, it can feel easy at camp (or other places) when you’re surrounded by people who truly love, follow, and talk about God. Back home though, it might seem like you’re the only one. After he rose from the dead, Jesus knew his friends were worried about what would happen when he left them to go back to heaven. So right before Jesus left, he reminded them of a promise that God made them. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised…” (Luke 24:49) What could possibly help his friends follow Jesus if he wasn't still right there with them? To figure it out, we need to look in the book of John. (By the way: that’s how the Bible works. All of the verses and chapters and books fit together to tell one big story. So if we want to get to know all about God and understand all the things he said and taught, we have to keep reading more and more of the Bible, seeing how it fits together and tells a whole story.) Jesus told his friends that God would send them a Helper – a Friend called the Holy Spirit who would always be in their corner, cheering them on. They wouldn’t see Jesus with their eyes anymore, but they wouldn’t be alone. The Holy Spirit would live inside them, helping them follow Jesus. That promise wasn’t just for the friends who were with Jesus that day. The promise is for anyone who has said “Yes” to following Jesus. If that’s you, then the Holy Spirit moved into your heart the moment you made that decision. The Holy Spirit is always at work – guiding you (John 16:13), teaching you (John 14:26), and even helping you to not sin (Romans 8:9). He also intercedes for you, which means he talks to God for you even when you’re not sure what to say (Romans 8:26-27). You’re not following Jesus alone. The Holy Spirit is with you every step of the way. REFLECTION When is it hard to follow Jesus? Why? DISCUSSION How do you want the Holy Spirit to help you?