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Who is the Holy Spirit, and exactly what does He do?

Many people find the Holy Spirit mysterious, confounding—even controversial. Why is the third person in the Godhead—the one Jesus said would be the believer’s ultimate source of truth and comfort—the source of such confusion?
 
In The God I Never Knew, Robert Morris clearly explains that the Holy Spirit’s chief desire is for relationship--to offer us the encouragement and guidance of a trusted friend. This insightful and biblically-based book moves beyond theological jargon, religious tradition, and cultural misconceptions to clarify what the Holy Spirit promises to do in your life:  
· Dwell within you
· Be your helper
· Guide you into all truth
· Comfort you
· Pray for you
· Show you things to come
· Never leave you

It’s time to experience the Holy Spirit in a fresh, new way—to meet the God you may have never known. 

Includes a small group study guide!



From the Hardcover edition.

ROBERT MORRIS is the founding senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multicampus church in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Since it began in 2000, Gateway has grown to more than nineteen thousand active members. Robert is
featured on the weekly television program The Blessed Life, seen in ninety million homes in the United States and in more than two hundred countries around the world. He is the best-selling author of several books, including The Blessed Life, From Dream to Destiny, and The Power of Your Words. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married for more than thirty years and are the parents of three grown children.

From the Hardcover edition.

So that you make the most of each session, this study guide is designed to be used after the chapters assigned for each session have been read. Whether you are studying The God I Never Knew as an individual or in a group, the goal is for you to think a little more deeply, contemplate and pray about what you are learning, and apply the truths of God’s Word to your personal life.

The study guide has eight sessions. However, if your group wants to move more slowly, just adjust the reading assignments and use of questions accordingly.

Read the Chapters Prior to Each Session

Each session covers designated chapters of The God I Never Knew. As you read the chapters, make notes and highlight passages in the book that speak to, challenge, or apply to you personally. In your reading and reflection, ask the Lord to reveal insights so that when you come to the study-guide section, you will be equipped to benefit the most from the questions.

Introduction and General Feedback

At the start of each group session, ask about answers or updates to prayer from prior sessions. Then spend some time in prayer together. Next have someone read the brief introduction aloud to remind everyone of the focus
of the discussion. The leader should then invite the group to share any questions, concerns, "ahas," insights, or comments arising from their personal time with the material.

No Fear

The God I Never Knew is about the wonderful person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. As you might imagine (and as the author readily admits in his personal testimony), it’s possible that your group
members represent a variety of backgrounds and teaching about the Holy Spirit. That’s okay! There are only three prerequisites for group participation: (1) a humble desire to grow in Christ and learn from His Word, (2) hearts and minds truly open to what God may reveal through the author’s insights into His Word, and (3) a commitment to interact gently and respectfully with one another and with the material presented.

Group facilitators and participants need not be afraid of the topic or of differences of opinion. A healthy approach for handling disagreements or concepts that may be new to someone is to say, "Let’s see what God’s Word has to say," and then review the pertinent scriptures referenced by the author. If after discussion it’s obvious that a participant continues to struggle with a concept, consider moving on by saying, "Let’s agree to take this concept to the Lord in prayer this week and report back, okay?" This will not only help keep discussions calm and on-target, but it will also help the group refocus on the Bible as the final word on an issue.
 
Above all, there should never be any pressure or browbeating for others to see things in a certain way. You’re on a journey of discovery together. Gentleness is the key—trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and, if necessary, change hearts and minds. You just never know: the heart or mind He changes might be your own!

Go Through the Questions

The reflection and discussion questions are designed to focus on how each person relates to the main topics of the chapters. Most questions are designed to serve the group and encourage discussion, not to elicit a particular answer. With that mind, don’t race through the questions. Take your time and allow the Holy Spirit to work. It isn’t necessary to go around the circle before moving on to the next question. The best discussions occur when people feel free to speak into the discussion. Group discussions are actually opportunities for God’s Spirit to minister uniquely through one believer to another in very specific ways. If you don’t get through all the questions for a session, no worries. Relax and trust God to take the discussion where He wants to take it.

Key Verses

Each session offers a theme verse that connects to the session’s content. Groups should read the verse out loud, and if someone in the group has a different Bible translation, ask him or her to read it aloud so the group can
get a bigger picture of the meaning of the passage. Encourage participants to memorize these verses to enrich their understanding and appreciation of the personal ministry of God the Holy Spirit.

Close Each Session in Prayer

Praying together is the most powerful way to make your discussion effective, authentic, and relevant. Do not leave too little time for prayer! Be sure group members have opportunity to share their requests. In several of the sessions, we also suggest that you begin the prayer time with a few minutes of silent prayer, in which each participant can talk with God personally regarding anything He may be telling them.

Assign Chapters for the Next Session

Prior to session 1, group members should read chapters 1 and 2 of The God I Never Knew. Then, as you wrap up each session, remind participants of the book chapters to be read before the next meeting.

Praise for The God I Never Knew
 
"In an hour when spiritual hunger is increasing and practical clarity is needed to avoid the confusion to which too many are vulnerable, it is a delight to affirm the wisdom, truth, and integrity with which Robert Morris speaks, teaches, and lives. I know no leader today who exceeds the trustworthiness and genuine love for people than Robert, and you will find no better person to introduce you to friendship with the Holy Spirit of the living God." —Jack W. Hayford, founder and president of The King’s University
 
"I have learned more about the Holy Spirit from Robert Morris than any other pastor. His insight into this very important topic will motivate, teach, and equip us to embrace the third person of the Trinity, as well as launch all of us into a fresh new season of worship." —Brady Boyd, senior pastor of New Life Church and author of Fear No Evil
 
"So much controversy and confusion has surrounded the topic of the Holy Spirit. In fact, most people don’t understand who He is at all. In The God I Never Knew, Robert Morris brilliantly clears up the misconceptions and introduces the Holy Spirit as someone you will want to be your best friend." —Chris Hodges, senior pastor of Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama
 
"The God I Never Knew gives life-changing insight into the mystery of the Holy Spirit. If you have questions about the Holy Spirit, Morris’s book will put you at ease and lead you to know and love our comforter, helper, and friend." —Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv and author of Weird
 
"In The God I Never Knew, my friend Robert Morris captures the magnificent power, friendship, and treasure that God has given us in the person of the Holy Spirit. He effectively demystifies the common misperceptions associated with this part of the Godhead and will evoke a deeper passion and love for God within every reader. No matter where you are in your walk with God, this book will intensify your relationship with Him." —Stovall Weems, lead pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and author of Awakening


From the Hardcover edition.

http://www.christianbook.com/never-friendship-spirit-change-life-ebook/robert-morris/9780307729712/pd/14514EB

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