Seminary
John 14–16

John 14–16

The Mission of the Holy Ghost

Christ and eleven apostles seated on the floor around a low table

During the Savior’s ministry, the Apostles enjoyed the power of the Holy Ghost, but they had not yet received the gift of the Holy Ghost, which would allow them, through their righteousness, to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (see Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost”). Jesus Christ promised to bless them with the gift of the Holy Ghost after His ascension into heaven. This lesson can help you identify how the Holy Ghost fulfills His various roles in your life.

Working with students one by one. The Savior sought experiences where He could work with individuals one by one (for one example, see 3 Nephi 11:13–15). Students are blessed when teachers follow Christ’s example of ministering to individuals. Strive to identify students’ needs and help them see how they can seek and receive the Lord’s help to fill those needs.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder examples from the scriptures or personal experiences that help them answer the question “How does the Holy Ghost help you?”

Possible Learning Activities

How can the Holy Ghost help you?

Give each student a slip of paper, and instruct them to anonymously answer the following questions on opposite sides of the paper.

  • What do you understand about how the Holy Ghost can help you?

  • What questions do you have about the role of the Holy Ghost in our lives?

Collect the papers, and share some of the responses to the first question with the class. Engage the students with their classmates’ responses by asking questions like “Who has had a similar experience?” or “What is something that you liked from what your classmate shared?” Flip the papers over, and share some of the questions students wrote about the Holy Ghost. It may be helpful to write some of their questions on the board.

As you study, look for answers to the questions you have about the Holy Ghost and how the role of the Holy Ghost can help you with your individual needs.

Help students recognize answers to their questions throughout the lesson. This can be done by asking a question like “As we have studied today, what answers have you found to some of the questions we read at the beginning of class?”

Jesus teaches His Apostles about the Holy Ghost

After the Savior administered the sacrament, and knowing He would soon suffer for our pains, temptations, and sins and then be crucified, He continued to teach His Apostles.

Read John 14:16–17, looking for what the Savior promised to give His Apostles.

  • Why do you think Jesus Christ promised His Apostles that they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost soon after He left?

Write the following incomplete sentence on the board.

  • Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ send us the Holy Ghost to …

Students will finish this sentence as they complete the following chart.

Display or draw the chart so that students can see both columns, including the references in the first column. Tell students to leave space for a third column, which will be added later. If students are going to work on this individually or in small groups, consider giving the class a model by completing some rows together.

Verse(s)

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ send us the Holy Ghost to …

Verse(s)

John 14:16–17

Verse(s)

John 14:26

Verse(s)

John 14:27

Verse(s)

John 15:26

Verse(s)

John 16:7–8

Verse(s)

John 16:13–14

Pay attention as students complete the chart. Be mindful of slower readers or of any students who may struggle with reading comprehension. Lend support where needed.

When students complete the second column, invite a few students to write on the board a summary sentence of or a principle of truth they found in each verse.

A witness from the Holy Ghost

The Savior taught that the Holy Ghost would testify of and glorify Him (see John 15:26; 16:13–14).

President Russell M. Nelson observed:

President Russell M. Nelson

The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

(Russell N. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 96)

  • When have you felt the Holy Ghost teaching and testifying to you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How did the Holy Ghost teach and testify to you?

  • What might someone do to invite the Holy Ghost to teach them about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? (see John 7:17; 14:13).

Bear witness of Jesus Christ, His Divinity, and His love, and consider sharing a personal experience of how that witness was received through the Holy Ghost. Encourage students to continue working to recognize how the Holy Ghost is witnessing of these things in their own lives.

Personal experiences with the Holy Ghost

Add a third column to your chart, and label it “How the Holy Ghost has done this for me or someone I know.” For each scripture passage in the chart, think of and write about any experiences that you, a family member, or someone in the scriptures had with the Holy Ghost fulfilling that role. If you do not recognize or recall a personal experience for each of the Holy Ghost’s roles that the Savior highlighted in these verses, that is OK. As you strive to be faithful and look for these experiences in your life, Heavenly Father will help you recognize them.

Give students sufficient time to write about their experiences. As they do so, look for students who may be struggling to recognize experiences they have had with the Holy Ghost, and give them any one-on-one help they may need. Hearing a personal experience from their teacher’s life may help them recall one of their own.

When students finish writing, invite willing volunteers to share some of their experiences. Because of the sacred nature of spiritual experiences, it would be inappropriate to call on a student to share. Remind students not to share anything that is too sacred or personal.

If students are reluctant to share their experiences, consider showing the video “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” found in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section of this lesson to encourage them to share.

Commentary and Background Information

What does the Holy Ghost do?

President Dallin H. Oaks taught:

15:16
President Dallin H. Oaks

The third member of the Godhead is the Holy Ghost, also referred to as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Comforter. He is the member of the Godhead who is the agent of personal revelation. As a personage of spirit (see D&C 130:22), He can dwell in us and perform the essential role of communicator between the Father and the Son and the children of God on earth. Many scriptures teach that His mission is to testify of the Father and the Son (see John 15:26; 3 Nephi 28:11; D&C 42:17). The Savior promised that the Comforter will teach us all things, bring all things to our remembrance, and guide us into all truth (see John 14:26; 16:13). Thus, the Holy Ghost helps us discern between truth and falsehood, guides us in our major decisions, and helps us through the challenges of mortality. He is also the means by which we are sanctified, that is, cleansed and purified from sin (see 2 Nephi 31:17; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moroni 6:4).

(Dallin H. Oaks, “The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 102)

Why is it important that we recognize the Holy Ghost speaking to us?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

President Dallin H. Oaks

This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Two Lines of Communication,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 83)

John 14:27. How can I feel peace from the Holy Ghost if I struggle with mental health?

If you experience mental health challenges like anxiety or depression, you might feel like it is very difficult to feel the Holy Ghost. This is not your fault. Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ are aware of these struggles, and They want to help you. Consider reviewing one or two of the following resources for more information on how to feel peace from the Holy Ghost when you struggle with mental health issues.

John 16:7. What did the Savior mean when He said, “If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you”?

For some reason not fully explained in the scriptures, the Holy Ghost did not operate in the fulness among the Jews during the years of Jesus’ mortal sojourn (John 7:39; 16:7). Statements to the effect that the Holy Ghost did not come until after Jesus was resurrected must of necessity refer to that particular dispensation only, for it is abundantly clear that the Holy Ghost was operative in earlier dispensations. Furthermore, it has reference only to the gift of the Holy Ghost not being present, since the power of the Holy Ghost was operative during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus; otherwise no one would have received a testimony of the truths that these men taught (Matt. 16:16–17; see also 1 Cor. 12:3).

(Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost”)

Supplemental Learning Activities

John 14:16, 26–27; 15:26. The Holy Ghost is the Comforter

Consider showing the video “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” from time code 7:45 to 10:51, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. As students watch the video, ask them to think of how they can receive comfort from the Holy Ghost.

15:25

Recognizing personal revelation from the Holy Ghost

Youth frequently ask how they can improve their ability to recognize the Holy Ghost in their lives. This righteous desire is an important step in spiritual growth and development. Consider using one or more of the following resources to help students learn more about this important spiritual skill.