The Holy Spirit in the Bible

by George M. Smiga STD, Little Rock Scripture Study staff (Contribution by)

Overview

2023 Catholic Media Association Second Place Award, Scripture – Popular Studies
2023 Association of Catholic Publishers Second Place Award, Scripture

Christian belief in the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity was not officially defined by the church until the fourth century. But centuries earlier, the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament were already describing the action and presence of God’s Spirit. In The Holy Spirit in the Bible, George Smiga unpacks key Scripture passages, exploring the activity of the Spirit at creation, within Israel, in the ministry of Jesus and the early church, and at the end of time. The role of the Holy Spirit in our personal and spiritual lives is also explored. Commentary, study and reflection questions, prayers, and access to online lectures are included. 6 lessons. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814666647
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	11/25/2022
Series:	Little Rock Scripture Study
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	782,043
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	15 Years

About the Author

George M. Smiga, STD, is a nationally known author and lecturer in Scripture and homiletics. A priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, Smiga has a doctorate in biblical theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and serves on the faculty of Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology. Smiga is the author of Angels in the Bible (Little Rock Scripture Study) and The Gospel of John Set Free: Preaching without Anti-Judaism. He writes a monthly column for Living with Christ and contributes regularly to Give Us This Day. His website is buildingontheword.org.

Table of Contents

Welcome 7

What materials will you use? 8

How will you use these materials? 8

Lesson 1 (The Holy Spirit at the Beginning) 11

Lesson 2 (The Holy Spirit and Individual Israelites) 29

Lesson 3 (The Holy Spirit and the People of Israel) 45

Lesson 4 (The Holy Spirit and Jesus) 61

Lesson 5 (The Holy Spirit and the Church) 77

Lesson 6 (The Holy Spirit at the End of Time) 93

Praying with Your Group 109

Reflecting on Scripture 111

Editorial Reviews

"It is sometimes remarked that, among the Persons of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the most neglected. George Smiga’s The Holy Spirit in the Bible is a little book that goes a long way towards leading its readers into prayerful consideration of who the Spirit is and what the Spirit does from a biblical perspective. Across six lessons organized in a format that is easily digestible for personal reflection or group study, Fr. Smiga guides us through key passages from the Bible that reveal the Spirit’s activity and draws potent insights from these passages for our lives today. The number of passages Smiga treats and the level of biblical scholarship reflected in Smiga’s analysis is most impressive for such a slim volume. Moreover, Smiga writes in a style that presents scholarly knowledge about the Bible in crystal-clear fashion for lay audiences. I recommend this book highly as an introduction to what the Bible says about the Spirit."
Gilberto A. Ruiz, Associate Professor of New Testament, Saint Anselm College
 

"I highly recommend this short volume to anyone seeking an overview of the many and varied ways the Holy Spirit is active in the Bible. Although arranged in six lessons, there is enough thought-provoking material here for at least twelve Bible study sessions. Smiga’s commentaries are very clearly written, providing thought-provoking explorations of the texts most pertinent for understanding the activity of God’s Spirit in both the Old and New Testaments. He doesn’t shy away from some difficult questions of translation and interpretation, but explains them clearly and without excessive technical jargon. Especially valuable are the “Contemporary Relevance” sections that follow the explanations of each biblical passage. The nine or ten questions that conclude each lesson are pertinent and stimulating for individual reflection or small group discussion. Let’s hope Fr. Smiga writes more volumes of this high quality in the Little Rock Scripture Study series. "
Felix Just, SJ, founder and author of Catholic-Resources.org

"Little Rock Scripture Study has been my preferred small group Bible study resource for years. The materials are thoughtful and approachable, drawing readers more deeply into Sacred Scripture in unexpected ways and leading them further along in their own faith journeys. I have always appreciated how well-packaged and intentional the resources are, with easy-to-follow instructions, especially for busy parish staff and volunteer facilitators alike. Once again, LRSS does not disappoint with its latest study, The Holy Spirit in the Bible. The study takes an often enigmatic and mysterious topic and guides readers through a journey of discovery that is both familiar and new with sound teaching and thought-provoking questions. It is accessible enough for a group that is just getting started, but novel enough for a seasoned group to enjoy as well. Truly a wonderful resource!"
Jenn Fiduccia, Senior Director of Leadership Consultants at Catholic Leadership Institute, and former Director of Faith Formation, St. Francis of Assisi, Raleigh, NC

From the Publisher