Jesus Promises the Coming of the Spirit – Family Devotion – June 3, 2020

Read: John 16:5-11

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7

Jesus Promises the Coming of the Spirit


Family Devotion – June 3, 2020

Devotion based on John 16:7

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ellie had recently been blessed with a baby brother, and she absolutely adored him. She gave him hugs, called him “my little buddy”, and brought him toys for playtime. When Mom or Dad needed her to grab something for baby brother, she did it proudly. When there was a dirty diaper, she happily took it to the trash all on her own.

One day Ellie’s grandma came over and saw the many things she did for her baby brother. “Wow, Ellie, you sure do a lot for your baby brother. What a big helper you are!”

“I’m the helper,” Ellie exclaimed as she beamed. Ellie loved to help her brother when he was a baby and even as he grew older.

Jesus sent a helper for us. This helper does even more than what Ellie did for her brother. This helper brings spiritual blessings such as saving faith in Jesus and the forgiveness of sins, blessings we would not have without his help and power.

The helper Jesus sent is the Holy Spirit. He is the third person of the Trinity. The Spirit works in our hearts through God’s Word to show us our inability to do what pleases God. He works through the Gospel to resurrect us and give us saving faith. The Holy Spirit does everything that we need to bring us into God’s family for all eternity. He doesn’t help us do it, he does it for us. It is done!

The Holy Spirit continues to help us for the rest of our lives. When we are in trouble or danger, lost or scared, filled with guilt, or do not even know what to pray, the Holy Spirit helps us. He prays for us every day. He is our constant companion throughout our life to work things out for our good. He helps us in our walk of faith. He forms and molds us to be more like Christ. The Holy Spirit uses difficulties in our life to bring us closer to God’s Word and strengthen our faith.

And that only scratches the surface of what the Holy Spirit does for us. Wow! What a helper!

Closing Prayer:

O Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your love and presence. When I am in trouble, pray for me. When I stray, bring me back to my Savior with your forgiveness. Change me every day to live and talk more like my Savior. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

  • What is one-way Ellie helped her little brother?
  • Name one way the Holy Spirit helps you.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • The Holy Spirit gave you your faith in Jesus. Why do you need faith in Jesus?
  • Why do we need the Holy Spirit’s help every day?

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • The Holy Spirit helps us by praying for us every day. List three reasons that is important. (See Romans 8:26-30 for some help.)
  • The Holy Spirit gives us many spiritual blessings. Name as many as you can in 30 seconds. Then decide which one you appreciate the most.

Hymn: CW 184:1 – O Holy Spirit, Enter In

O Holy Spirit, enter in
And in our hearts your work begin,
Your dwelling place now make us.
Sun of the soul, O Light divine,
Around and in us brightly shine,
To joy and gladness wake us
That we may be
Truly living, to you giving Prayer unceasing
And in love be still increasing.

 

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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