Jesus is making a long goodbye to his disciples—begun in chapter 14, (Do not let your hearts be troubled . . .) and culminating in his “High Priestly Prayer” in chapter 17—and they know it. Contemplating life without Jesus, they think they’re falling apart; but, Jesus promises them power to hold them together. That power is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit accomplishes many things in the lives of the faithful. We’ll be focusing on one of the most important, and most overlooked, gifts of the Spirit. Let’s begin!!

• Think about a time you felt as though you were falling apart. What made you feel that way? How did you get through it? Who, if anyone, helped you through it? What did it mean to have them with you?
• What do you think Jesus means when he says to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now”? Why can’t they bear them? If they can’t bear them now, how will they be able to bear them later?
• Jesus says the Spirit will guide his disciples into all the truth. What he doesn’t mention is what the Spirit does before guiding them. What do you think that is? In what ways might this color your perception of the Holy Spirit’s power and presence in your life?

Next Step: One of the most powerful ways we can support others is to do what the Holy Spirit does—be present with others. Who do you know who needs someone to be present with them through a tough time? Could you be that person?