Pour it Out - Series on the Holy Spirit
Session Four: The Holy Spirit Leads Us to Grow
Bottom Line: We can't grow without the Holy Spirit
Day 1: Called to Grow
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
The Christian life is not just about starting with Jesus. It’s about continuing to grow with Him.
Over the past few weeks we’ve talked about how:
Peter writes to believers who are going through difficulty and reminds them that their faith is being refined and strengthened.
Why? Because following Jesus is not static. God doesn’t save us and leave us unchanged. He continues shaping us into people who trust Him more, love Him more, and reflect Him more. He wants to help us become more like Jesus.
Growth can sometimes feel slow and difficult, but the Holy Spirit is always working, even in the middle of trials.
A healthy faith keeps moving toward Jesus.
Apply:
Take a moment today and ask yourself: “How have I grown spiritually over the last year?” Thank God for even small areas of growth.
Reflection Question:
Am I actively growing in my relationship with Jesus or staying spiritually stagnant?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for continuing to work in my life. Help me keep growing in faith, trust, and love for Jesus every day. Amen.
--
Day 2: The Spirit Teaches Us
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether you are continuing to grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Scripture: John 14:23-26 (NIV)
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Jesus tells His disciples something important: The Holy Spirit would come and help them grow.
He calls the Spirit our “Helper” because we cannot live the Christian life on our own.... We cannot grow spiritually without the Holy Spirit.
Why? Because the Holy Spirit:
Spiritual growth is not just gaining information, it’s learning to walk with God and becoming more like Jesus over time.
Becoming more like Jesus only happens through the work of the Holy Spirit and this should encourage you. You are not expected to figure everything out by yourself. God Himself helps you grow.
Apply:
Before reading your Bible today, pause and ask the Holy Spirit: “Teach me and help me understand what You want me to learn.”
Reflection Question:
Am I depending on the Holy Spirit to help me grow or only relying on myself?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for helping me grow and understand God’s truth. Teach me how to live and help me become more like Jesus every day. Amen.
--
Day 3 – Fruit Reveals the Root
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit teaches believers and helps us grow.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Imagine planting an orange tree... If the tree is alive and healthy, you expect it to produce oranges. You wouldn’t walk up to it years later and say, “Well, it’s alive on the inside even though nothing is growing.” Fruit reveals what kind of tree it is. The same is true spiritually.
When the Holy Spirit lives in someone, He produces fruit in their life. Not just one fruit and not random qualities we get to pick and choose.
The Holy Spirit produces a whole new kind of character:
This matters because the Christian life is not just about claiming to follow Jesus. It’s about being changed by Him.
Fruit reveals whether we are walking with the Spirit or not. If the Spirit lives in us, growth will eventually become visible.
Not perfect growth or instant growth. But real growth.
That means the fruit of the Spirit becomes a helpful way for us to examine our lives and ask:
“Am I actually becoming more like Jesus?”
Apply:
Choose one fruit of the Spirit today and intentionally practice it in a real situation with friends, family, or school.
Reflection Question:
What kind of fruit is my life producing right now?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, continue growing good fruit in my life. Help me become more like Jesus in the way I think, speak, and live. Amen.
--
Day 4 – The Spirit and the Truth
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether your life is producing the fruit of the Spirit.
Scripture: John 16:13 (NIV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Sometimes we'll hear people (or ourselves) say things like:
The Holy Spirit will never lead you against God’s Word. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.
He inspired Scripture, He teaches Scripture, and He reminds us of what Jesus said.
That means the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Bible. God does not say one thing in Scripture and then lead you to do the opposite.
The Spirit does not lead us away from obedience, He leads us deeper into truth. This is why reading the Bible matters so much.
You cannot recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance if you don’t know what God has already said.
Apply:
When making a decision today, ask yourself: “Does this line up with God’s Word?” Let Scripture guide your thinking.
Reflection Question:
Am I allowing God’s Word to shape how I understand the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, guide me into truth and help me know Your voice through Scripture. Teach me to follow what God has already spoken in His Word. Amen.
--
Day 5 – The Sword of the Spirit
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit never leads believers against God’s Word.
Scripture: John 14:26 (NIV)
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit teaches believers through God’s Word. He helps you:
When fear, temptation, lies, or confusion come into our lives, the Holy Spirit reminds believers of God’s truth and helps us stand firm. But you cannot use a sword you never pick up. If you want to grow spiritually and fight against sin, you need to consistently spend time in God's Word. The Holy Spirit teaches you through the Bible and helps us live it out daily.
Apply:
Choose one Bible verse today to memorize and think about throughout the day when temptation or discouragement comes.
Reflection Question:
Am I consistently filling my mind with God’s Word so the Holy Spirit can use it in my life?
Prayer:
--
Day 6 – Conviction, Not Shame
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit teaches us through God’s Word and helps us fight temptation with truth.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
One of the ways the Holy Spirit helps believers grow is through conviction. Conviction is when the Holy Spirit lovingly shows us:
Shame pushes you away from God. Conviction pulls you closer to Him.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, that this is called "godly sorrow". Theologically, godly sorrow is not simply feeling bad because of consequences, embarrassment, or getting caught. It is sorrow rooted in recognizing that sin is against a holy and loving God. The Holy Spirit convicts us because God loves us and wants us to grow, not because He wants to make us feel bad.
Apply:
If the Holy Spirit has been convicting you about something, don’t ignore it. Bring it honestly to God today and ask Him to help you change.
Reflection Question:
When I sin, do I run from God in shame or return to Him for forgiveness?
Prayer:
--
Day 7 – God Search My Heart
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on the difference between conviction and shame, and how the Holy Spirit lovingly leads us toward repentance and growth.
Week Recap:
Scripture: Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV) & Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Growth only happens when we are willing to let the Holy Spirit work in us honestly.
David’s prayer in Psalm 139 is humble and courageous: “Search me.”
That means: “God, show me what needs to change.”, “Reveal what I cannot see clearly.”, & “Help me grow.”
Spiritual growth is not pretending you have it all together. It’s about being honest with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape your heart day by day.
So ask yourself honestly:
Where in my life do I need the Holy Spirit to help me grow?
Tonight, we’re going to talk about this:
Tonight we begin a new series on Proverbs 1. We’ll talk about wisdom and what it means to truly fear the Lord and build your life on God’s truth.
Application:
Spend 5 quiet minutes today asking God to search your heart. Write down one area where you sense the Holy Spirit calling you to grow.
Reflection Question:
What area of my life is the Holy Spirit trying to transform right now?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, search my heart and help me grow. Show me where I need to change and give me the courage to follow You more closely every day. Amen.
Session Four: The Holy Spirit Leads Us to Grow
Bottom Line: We can't grow without the Holy Spirit
Day 1: Called to Grow
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
The Christian life is not just about starting with Jesus. It’s about continuing to grow with Him.
Over the past few weeks we’ve talked about how:
- The Holy Spirit sets us free
- The Holy Spirit lives in believers
- The Holy Spirit leads us into action
Peter writes to believers who are going through difficulty and reminds them that their faith is being refined and strengthened.
Why? Because following Jesus is not static. God doesn’t save us and leave us unchanged. He continues shaping us into people who trust Him more, love Him more, and reflect Him more. He wants to help us become more like Jesus.
Growth can sometimes feel slow and difficult, but the Holy Spirit is always working, even in the middle of trials.
A healthy faith keeps moving toward Jesus.
Apply:
Take a moment today and ask yourself: “How have I grown spiritually over the last year?” Thank God for even small areas of growth.
Reflection Question:
Am I actively growing in my relationship with Jesus or staying spiritually stagnant?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for continuing to work in my life. Help me keep growing in faith, trust, and love for Jesus every day. Amen.
--
Day 2: The Spirit Teaches Us
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether you are continuing to grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Scripture: John 14:23-26 (NIV)
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Jesus tells His disciples something important: The Holy Spirit would come and help them grow.
He calls the Spirit our “Helper” because we cannot live the Christian life on our own.... We cannot grow spiritually without the Holy Spirit.
Why? Because the Holy Spirit:
- Teaches us truth
- Reminds us of Jesus’ words
- Convicts us of sin
- Helps us understand Scripture
- Leads us toward obedience
Spiritual growth is not just gaining information, it’s learning to walk with God and becoming more like Jesus over time.
Becoming more like Jesus only happens through the work of the Holy Spirit and this should encourage you. You are not expected to figure everything out by yourself. God Himself helps you grow.
Apply:
Before reading your Bible today, pause and ask the Holy Spirit: “Teach me and help me understand what You want me to learn.”
Reflection Question:
Am I depending on the Holy Spirit to help me grow or only relying on myself?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for helping me grow and understand God’s truth. Teach me how to live and help me become more like Jesus every day. Amen.
--
Day 3 – Fruit Reveals the Root
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit teaches believers and helps us grow.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Imagine planting an orange tree... If the tree is alive and healthy, you expect it to produce oranges. You wouldn’t walk up to it years later and say, “Well, it’s alive on the inside even though nothing is growing.” Fruit reveals what kind of tree it is. The same is true spiritually.
When the Holy Spirit lives in someone, He produces fruit in their life. Not just one fruit and not random qualities we get to pick and choose.
The Holy Spirit produces a whole new kind of character:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
This matters because the Christian life is not just about claiming to follow Jesus. It’s about being changed by Him.
Fruit reveals whether we are walking with the Spirit or not. If the Spirit lives in us, growth will eventually become visible.
Not perfect growth or instant growth. But real growth.
That means the fruit of the Spirit becomes a helpful way for us to examine our lives and ask:
“Am I actually becoming more like Jesus?”
Apply:
Choose one fruit of the Spirit today and intentionally practice it in a real situation with friends, family, or school.
Reflection Question:
What kind of fruit is my life producing right now?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, continue growing good fruit in my life. Help me become more like Jesus in the way I think, speak, and live. Amen.
--
Day 4 – The Spirit and the Truth
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on whether your life is producing the fruit of the Spirit.
Scripture: John 16:13 (NIV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Sometimes we'll hear people (or ourselves) say things like:
- “I feel like God told me…”
- “The Spirit led me to…”
The Holy Spirit will never lead you against God’s Word. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.
He inspired Scripture, He teaches Scripture, and He reminds us of what Jesus said.
That means the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Bible. God does not say one thing in Scripture and then lead you to do the opposite.
The Spirit does not lead us away from obedience, He leads us deeper into truth. This is why reading the Bible matters so much.
You cannot recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance if you don’t know what God has already said.
Apply:
When making a decision today, ask yourself: “Does this line up with God’s Word?” Let Scripture guide your thinking.
Reflection Question:
Am I allowing God’s Word to shape how I understand the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, guide me into truth and help me know Your voice through Scripture. Teach me to follow what God has already spoken in His Word. Amen.
--
Day 5 – The Sword of the Spirit
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit never leads believers against God’s Word.
Scripture: John 14:26 (NIV)
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit teaches believers through God’s Word. He helps you:
- Understand Scripture
- Remember truth
- Apply God’s Word to our lives
When fear, temptation, lies, or confusion come into our lives, the Holy Spirit reminds believers of God’s truth and helps us stand firm. But you cannot use a sword you never pick up. If you want to grow spiritually and fight against sin, you need to consistently spend time in God's Word. The Holy Spirit teaches you through the Bible and helps us live it out daily.
Apply:
Choose one Bible verse today to memorize and think about throughout the day when temptation or discouragement comes.
Reflection Question:
Am I consistently filling my mind with God’s Word so the Holy Spirit can use it in my life?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, teach me through Scripture and help me stand firm in truth. Give me a desire to know God’s Word and trust it daily. Amen.
--
Day 6 – Conviction, Not Shame
Yesterday’s Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on how the Holy Spirit teaches us through God’s Word and helps us fight temptation with truth.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
One of the ways the Holy Spirit helps believers grow is through conviction. Conviction is when the Holy Spirit lovingly shows us:
- Sin in our lives
- Areas we need to change
- Places where we are drifting from God
Shame pushes you away from God. Conviction pulls you closer to Him.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, that this is called "godly sorrow". Theologically, godly sorrow is not simply feeling bad because of consequences, embarrassment, or getting caught. It is sorrow rooted in recognizing that sin is against a holy and loving God. The Holy Spirit convicts us because God loves us and wants us to grow, not because He wants to make us feel bad.
Apply:
If the Holy Spirit has been convicting you about something, don’t ignore it. Bring it honestly to God today and ask Him to help you change.
Reflection Question:
When I sin, do I run from God in shame or return to Him for forgiveness?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for loving me enough to convict me and help me grow. Teach me to respond with repentance instead of hiding in shame. Amen.
--
Day 7 – God Search My Heart
Yesterday's Reflection:
Yesterday you reflected on the difference between conviction and shame, and how the Holy Spirit lovingly leads us toward repentance and growth.
Week Recap:
- Called to Grow
- The Holy Spirit Teaches Us
- The Fruit Reveals the Root
- The Spirit and the Truth
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Conviction, Not Shame
Scripture: Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV) & Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Growth only happens when we are willing to let the Holy Spirit work in us honestly.
David’s prayer in Psalm 139 is humble and courageous: “Search me.”
That means: “God, show me what needs to change.”, “Reveal what I cannot see clearly.”, & “Help me grow.”
Spiritual growth is not pretending you have it all together. It’s about being honest with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape your heart day by day.
So ask yourself honestly:
Where in my life do I need the Holy Spirit to help me grow?
Tonight, we’re going to talk about this:
Tonight we begin a new series on Proverbs 1. We’ll talk about wisdom and what it means to truly fear the Lord and build your life on God’s truth.
Application:
Spend 5 quiet minutes today asking God to search your heart. Write down one area where you sense the Holy Spirit calling you to grow.
Reflection Question:
What area of my life is the Holy Spirit trying to transform right now?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, search my heart and help me grow. Show me where I need to change and give me the courage to follow You more closely every day. Amen.