Chapter Six

The Second Bookend: The Power of the Holy Spirit

1. Explain the difference between motivation and ability/power when it comes to living a Christian life. (81)

2. According to Ephesians 1:13, when are we sealed with the Holy Spirit?

3. Explain the difference in the two categories of grace: the blessing of privilege and the blessing of power. (82-83)

4. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9. Explain what this verse means in your own words.

5. Explain the difference between help and enablement. (85)

6. When discussing the role of our faith in leaning on the First Bookend, the authors state that faith involves both renunciation and reliance. Explain how these two terms apply to our role in leaning on the Second Bookend? (85)

7. From the section titled, The Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit, explain what the Holy Spirit being “sovereign” means. (85-86)

8. Why is it that when we rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit, sometimes he temporarily withholds his power while other times he dramatically manifests his power in us? (86)

9. From the section titled, “The Spirit’s Synergistic Work,” explain what is meant by the expression, “qualified synergism.” Describe how this relieves us from the burden of having insufficient willpower and strength to obey God. (86-88)

10. Read 1 Peter 4:10-11 and Philippians 2:12-13. Explain how these passages are examples of qualified synergism.

11. Describe the Spirit’s “monergistic” work. How you have experienced this in your life. (88-90)

12. Describe the similarities between the first and second bookends. (92)

13. Describe the differences between the first and second bookends. (92)