The Holy Spirit: Our Indispensable Guide in Becoming Like Jesus

Tonight, as we gather for our study group, we’re diving into two profound questions: Who is the Holy Spirit? and why did Jesus command us to live a life He knew we couldn’t live on our own? These questions lead us to a central truth: Jesus never intended for us to live the Christian life in our own strength. Instead, He gifted us the Holy Spirit—God’s own presence within us—to empower, transform, and equip us for the journey. Let’s explore this together, leaning on Scripture and reflecting on how the Holy Spirit grows our character.

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is often described as the executive arm of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit working in perfect unity. While Jesus, God in the flesh, walked among us as a tangible gift, He told His disciples it was good for Him to leave because the Holy Spirit would come (John 16:7). Why is this better? Because God living inside us is an even greater gift. The Holy Spirit empowers us, helps us grow, and equips us in ways that external guidance alone cannot. As 1 John 2:6 reminds us, if we claim a relationship with God, we’re called to live as Jesus did—a task impossible without the Spirit’s presence.

The Key to the Christian Life: Dependence on the Holy Spirit

Jesus knew we couldn’t live a holy life on our own. That’s why He spent so much time teaching about the Holy Spirit before His departure. The Christian journey isn’t about our own effort; it’s about who lives within us. No one lives for God without God. The moment we humbly recognize our dependence on the Holy Spirit, we open the door to His strength and transformation. Our success in becoming like Jesus hinges on this truth: More dependence equals more growth.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Evidence of Growth

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Just as a healthy fruit tree produces the fruit it’s meant to, a growing Christian produces the fruit of the Spirit—nine character traits perfectly embodied in Jesus. Notice Paul calls this a single fruit, not separate fruits. This isn’t a pick-and-choose list. If we’re open to the Spirit’s work, all these traits should be growing in us over time. We might be stronger in some areas than others, but the Spirit’s goal is holistic transformation.

The Spirit’s Holistic Transformation (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prays, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse reveals the Holy Spirit’s ultimate goal: complete transformation. The Spirit doesn’t just tweak one part of us—He works to sanctify our entire being—spirit (our connection to God), soul (mind, will, emotions), and body (our actions). This holistic renewal aligns with the fruit of the Spirit, ensuring every aspect of who we are reflects Jesus. As we yield to the Spirit, He makes us whole, preparing us for Christ’s return.

Discussion Question: What about this list of spiritual fruit surprises or interests you most? For me, gentleness and self-control can be the most challenging. I’ve said things in anger I deeply regret, hurting people I love. Which of these nine traits challenges you?

A Narrative Example: The Fruit of Patience

Let’s consider a real-life example. I once knew a woman named Sarah who struggled with impatience. She was quick to snap at others, especially during stressful moments at work. But over time, I watched the Holy Spirit cultivate patience in her life. It didn’t happen overnight—it was slow, steady growth. She began praying for strength to pause and listen, and gradually, her coworkers noticed a change. Where she once reacted sharply, she now responded with calm understanding. That patience became a testimony to God’s work in her.

Discussion Question: What’s one spiritual fruit you’ve seen the Holy Spirit grow in someone else’s life? Did it happen quickly or slowly over time?

Uneven Growth: What Does It Say?

What might the growth of one character trait but not another say about someone’s spiritual development? If love is flourishing in us but self-control lags, it could indicate areas where we’re resisting the Spirit’s work. Uneven growth doesn’t mean the Spirit isn’t present—it might mean we’re clinging to old habits or fears, blocking His full influence. The Spirit seeks to produce one fruit with all nine traits, so we should prayerfully examine where we need to yield more fully to His guidance.

Tabitha and Peter: The Spirit at Work (Acts 9:36-42)

The Book of Acts gives us a glimpse of the Holy Spirit in action among early believers. In Acts 9:36-38, we meet Tabitha (Dorcas), a woman known for her love and kindness toward the poor. When she died, her character shone through the grief of those she’d served. How do we know the Holy Spirit was working in her? Because who she was on the inside became evident on the outside—her life bore fruit.

Then, in Acts 9:39-42, we see Peter pray for Tabitha to rise from the dead—a dramatic, Jesus-like miracle powered by the Spirit. While such moments make the Spirit’s work obvious, quieter acts—like Tabitha’s love or our own patience—also bring life to those around us in powerful ways.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the biggest barriers to allowing the Holy Spirit to grow fruit in our lives?
2. How has the Spirit’s work in someone else directly affected you?

Living with Awareness

Opportunities to bring life through the fruit of the Spirit are all around us. A lack of dependence on the Spirit stunts our growth, allowing old, sinful habits to persist and harm our witness. But when we rely on Him, our lives can powerfully attest to God’s radical love—just as Jesus did, just as Tabitha did, just as Peter did.

Discussion Question: What might help you live with a heightened awareness of opportunities to let the Spirit work through you daily?

Closing Prayer

Let’s close by praying for greater dependence on the Holy Spirit. May He grow His fruit in us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—so that our lives reflect Jesus to a watching world. Amen.