Help Is Here Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit

By Max Lucado and Andrea Lucado

When you feel powerless . . . help is here

Bills pile up. Savings go down. Marriages go south. Work goes off the rails. Stress goes off the charts. It’s all too much to take on by yourself.

Fortunately, you don’t have to take it all on yourself. In fact, God never intended for you to do so. He has provided heaven-sent help to walk with you, guide you, and shoulder the load. Someone who never gets tired. Someone who is strong and powerful. Someone who is unhindered by what hinders us. Someone who is always nearby.

Interested? If so, join Max Lucado in this five-session study to learn more about this “helper” whom we know as the Holy Spirit. You will receive the tools and encouragement you need to become joyful, enthusiastic, and empowered as you draw closer to God; learn who the Spirit is and how he can help you; find true rest and peace as you let him carry your burdens; and discover your unique gifts to further God’s kingdom.

Help Is Here reminds us that our Good Shepherd doesn’t just feed us; he leads us. He does more than correct us; he directs us. God keeps us on track—and best of all, he’s commissioned the Holy Spirit to guide us down the winding roads of life, wherever they may lead us.

Sessions and video run times:

1. Our Powerful Ally (17:00)
2. Our Strength and Guide (16:30)
3. Our Peace and Guarantee (18:30)
4. Our Intercessor and Advocate (16:30)
5. Our Gift-Giver of Life (16:30)

This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:

• The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide.
• An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (DVD also available separately.)

Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Sep 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9780310133070

Max Lucado

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

Book preview

Note from the Author

Ibegan attending church as a youngster. I was barely into my double-digit years before I was reading my Bible, memorizing Scriptures, and doing my level best to obey every command that I heard preached from the pulpit. I hoisted the backpack of good Christian living and set out to scale the lofty peaks of morality, spirituality, and devotion.

Always tell the truth. Never lag in faith. Pray more. Do more.

Believe me, I tried to tackle that mountain. But that trail grew steep. Peer pressure, raging hormones, and guilt conspired to convince me that I would never make it. Can a fifteen-year-old suffer spiritual burnout? This one did.

Maybe you know the feeling. The fire inside you is running low. It’s not for lack of searching. The Lord knows you’ve tried. At least you hope he knows. You’ve signed up and stood up for everything you know to be right and good. Yet why this cold wind in the face? Why this uphill struggle? These gray skies? This empty spot?

It feels as if life is fading away . . . drip by drip, little by little, day by day.

If that describes what you are feeling right now, the Lord has something—actually, someone—you need to know. He is the heaven-sent Helper. The ally of the saint. Your champion, advocate, and guide. He will comfort you and direct you. He will indwell you, transform you, sustain you, and—someday—deliver you into your heavenly home.

The Bible makes more than a hundred references this someone that we know as the Holy Spirit. He is the ultimate teacher (see John 14:26). He is the wind of God (see John 3:8). He is your intercessor (see Romans 8:26). He is the seal of heaven on the saint (see Ephesians 1:13). He is the dove of peace who calms you, the gift-giver who equips you, the river of living water who flows out of you to refresh the world (see John 7:37–39).

In this study, we will ponder the amazing benefit of the divine presence. Whether this is a fresh encounter or your first encounter, it does not matter. God wants you to have the energizing strength of the Holy Spirit. He wants you to know help isn’t just coming . . . it is already here. Challenges come with life, but they need not define your life. Help is here.

How to Use This Guide

The Holy Spirit. What comes to mind when you hear that name? If you are like most people, the term itself seems a bit mysterious. God the Father is easy enough to grasp. We can comprehend that image. God the Son is manageable as well. But God as . . . Spirit ?

This is the purpose of the Help Is Here Study Guide. Over the course of the next five sessions, you will embark on a journey to discover what the Bible says about this third member of the Trinity. You will discover how he can be your ally, your strength, and your guide. You will see that he can give you peace in this world. You will look at his role as your intercessor, your advocate, your giver of spiritual gifts, and—ultimately—your guarantee of eternal life to come.

Now, before you begin, keep in mind that there are few ways you can go through this material. You can experience this study with others in a group (such as a Bible study, Sunday school class, or any other small-group gathering), or you may choose to go through the content on your own. Either way, know that the videos for each session are available for you to view at any time by following the instructions provided on the inside cover of this study guide.

Group Study

Each of the sessions are divided into two parts: (1) a group study section, and (2) a personal study section. The group study section is intended to provide a basic framework on how to open your time together, get the most out of the video content, and discuss the key ideas together that were presented in the teaching. Each session includes the following:

• Welcome: A brief introduction to the topic for you to read on your own.

• Share: A few ice-breaker questions to get you and your group members thinking about the topic and interacting with each other.

• Read: A key passage for you and your group members to read through together before you watch the video teaching.

• Watch: Six key points from the video teaching to help you follow along, stay engaged, and take notes.

• Discuss: Six questions to help you and your group members reflect more on the material presented in the teaching and apply it to your lives.

• Respond: A short personal exercise to help reinforce the key ideas.

• Pray: A place for you to record prayer requests and praises for the week.

If you are doing this study in a group, make sure you have your own copy of the study guide so you can write down your thoughts, responses, and reflections and have access to the videos via streaming. You may also want to have a copy of the Help Is Here book, as reading it alongside the curriculum will provide you with deeper insights. See the recommended reading section at the end of each session for the chapters in the book that correspond to the material you and your group are discussing. Finally, keep these points in mind:

• Facilitation: If you are doing this study in a group, you will likely want to appoint someone to serve as a facilitator. This person will be responsible for starting the video and keeping track of time during discussions and activities. If you have been chosen for this role, there are some resources in the back of this guide that can help you lead your group through the study.

• Faithfulness: Your small group is a place where tremendous growth can happen as you reflect on the Bible, ask questions, and learn what God is doing in other people’s lives. For this reason,