The Holy Spirit Wants to Share Something with You – June 17, 2022

Read: John 16:12-15

He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16:14

The Holy Spirit Wants to Share Something with You

 

Family Devotion – June 17, 2022

Devotion based on John 16:14

See series: Devotions

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

“Give it back! That’s mine! You have your own!”

“Here, you can use my toy. And if you want, I have extra crayons and maybe we can draw a picture together.”

Do you like to share? Or more to the point: Do you look for chances to share?

Sometimes sharing is easy. We like to share experiences, such as watching the fireworks on a summer night, playing a game together, or sharing a picnic basket at the park. Sometimes sharing is easy.

And then there are the other times—times when sharing is difficult. There’s one cookie left, and two kids who want a cookie. A friend is over, and she wants to play with your favorite doll. You’re playing a new game with friends, but one person always wants to be in charge. Sometimes it’s difficult to share, because we feel left out or unimportant, or we feel like someone else won’t take care of our things.

Jesus talks about sharing. But his words today aren’t a command to share—in today’s reading, he tells us that the Holy Spirit shares with him and us! This is what he says: “The Holy Spirit will glorify me, because he will share from what is mine, and share it with you.” Wow!

Jesus says that he shares with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit shares with us! I like it when someone shares with me, because they show that they care about me. When someone shares with me, I know that I’m not left out.

But…what does the Spirit share with us?

He shares what Jesus has: his life. Jesus laid down his life at the cross and took it up again in the resurrection—and now, in Holy Baptism, the Spirit shares that same life with you!

The Spirit also shares what Jesus earned: righteousness. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, and that this Spirit would create faith. Through that faith, Jesus shares his righteousness, his goodness, his perfection with you—so that you are forgiven.

When Jesus shares with you, he shows that he cares about you—and he shows that you’re not left out. Jesus shares with the Spirit, so that the Spirit shares with you, me, and every other Christian. That’s the Holy Spirit’s work—to share with people today exactly what Jesus won for us at Good Friday and Easter. I’m glad God shares!

Closing Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for sharing all your work with the Spirit. Thank you for sharing your righteousness with me. Lead me to treasure your Word and Sacraments, where you still share forgiveness today. 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

  • When is it easy to share? Why is it sometimes difficult to share?
  • What did Jesus share with you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • How did the Holy Spirit share the gift of faith with you?
  • Why does Jesus want to share with us?

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • Why is the Spirit’s work of “sharing” important?
  • Think of the Third Article: “I believe that I cannot, by my own thinking or choosing, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel…” How does the Spirit’s work of “sharing” Jesus happen? Based on how Jesus has promised to share his gifts—try to name the different times when the Holy Spirit is sharing Christ’s gifts in the regular Sunday service.

 

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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