Partnering with the Spirit

This guide gives an overview of what how to partner with the Holy Spirit. This concept is based on Jesus’ description of the Spirit in John 14-16. 

Partnering with the Spirit is all about engaging with what God is doing in our lives. By recognizing his work, remembering the gospel, and then responding to his leading, Christians grow, develop, and experience God’s power and presence in their lives.

1. Recognize

How do you recognize God at work in your life?

It’s easy to miss out on what God is already doing in your day-to-day life when you aren’t paying attention. Or when you’re only looking for miraculous works. So to help you notice him, here are six ways in which people tend to experience the daily work of the Spirit. Keep in mind, however, that the Holy Spirit is not limited to these categories.

Categories and questions to help you recognize

• Relationship: How is the Spirit helping you to experience your relationship as a child of God? 
• Effectiveness: How is the Spirit empowering you for Kingdom purposes? 
• Conviction: How is the Spirit showing that you’re living in opposition to his truth? 
• Awareness: How is the Spirit helping you become more aware of his presence and work in your life?
• Leadership: How is the Spirit leading, guiding, or helping you? 
• Life: How is life different now that you are a Christian? 

2. Remember

What do you need to remember about what Jesus has done?

Jesus is the hero and centre of our story. Always.  

Remembering the gospel can be difficult if you aren’t familiar with the many ways the gospel is good news. There are many “gospel themes” that together give a fuller picture of how Christ is our hero. Some of these themes come from the overall story of the Bible, such as

• rest
• justice
• peace

Some come from God’s character, such as remembering his

• goodness
• faithfulness
• protection

The Bible Project is a great resource for exploring the gospel through the themes of scripture and through the character of God.

Whatever model you choose, the goal is to answer this question: 

What has Christ done (in his life, death, and resurrection) to be the hero of your story, circumstance, or experience?

Questions to help you remember

• How is Jesus making all things new?
• Who are you now because of what Jesus has done?
• How is Jesus transforming you?
• How does Jesus’ life and ministry save the day?
• How did Jesus make it possible to experience the Spirit’s work?
• Why does God want you to experience his work?

Read more: How is Jesus actually hopeful good news today?

3. Respond

What does it look like for you to respond to the Spirit’s leading?

Now that you have been reminded of the gospel and what Christ has already done, you can respond out of the overflow of his work. When you try to respond to the Spirit’s leading without first remembering the gospel, you end up relying on yourself. Remembering the gospel helps you to continue walking in step with the Spirit.

The Spirit is always pointing to Christ so that you obey God not out of obligation or fear but out of love.

Questions to help you respond

• What might God be asking you to do?
  • keep in mind that this could include waiting and resting
• What might God be asking you to stop or start believing?
• What might God be asking you to receive from him?
  • e.g. comfort, love, assurance, forgiveness, courage, strength, hope
• What kingdom activity might the Spirit be leading you to begin?
• What activity might the Spirit be leading you to stop?
• What does it look like to disobey or not follow the Spirit?