What do we mean by "spirit?" What are its characteristics? Is there a difference between the human spirit and the Holy Spirit? This lecture responds to these questions.

What was life like for the first humans -- before they broke right relationship with God? We will reflect on human nature as a composite of body, psyche and spirit, then review the meaning of concepts like original innocence and original justice. The Holy Spirit would have been the guiding force for these early humans -- a paradisal state of original blessing.

Why is there sickness, death, suffering, evil, environmental destruction, and so forth? This lecture reflects on the root of these problems, which is the loss of right relationship between God.  We will described this wounded condition, and how it influences our openness to the Spirit, or lack thereof.

What do we mean by conscience? Students will be able to explain the functioning of conscience, and how the Holy Spirit worked through the means of Covenant, Law, and the Prophets to heal and restore our sense of God's guidance.

The age of the prophets lasted from about 1000 to 500 years before the birth of Jesus. During this period, the Holy Spirit moved these holy men and women to preach words of encouragement and admonishment to the people, to anoint kings, and to predict future events -- including the coming of a great kings who would restore the nation to greatness. Participants will review the times of specific prophets and key prophecies regarding the new age of the Spirit to come.

When the time for the fulfillment of prophecies had come, the Spirit of God brought about two miraculous births: John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. This lecture describes the circumstances of their conception and the early years of Jesus. Participants will learn how the Spirit was at work during this time to bring forth Jesus, the New Adam, from Mary, the New Eve.

This lecture reflects on the Spirit working in the public ministry of Jesus. Participants will learn of many ways that the Spirit led Jesus and worked through him, including healing, miracles, teaching, prophecies and others. The new reign of God had burst forth into human history.

Jesus had much to say about the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit would work in his followers. This presentations reviews some of these key teachings, with special emphasis on the Spirit continuing his work on earth.

The first great outpouring of the Holy Spirit is described in the Acts of the Apostles. This presentation reflects on that experience, and how it transformed the lives of those who received it. We will also trace the movement of the Spirit from that time to the 3rd Century, when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

In John's Gospel, Jesus "breathes" the Spirit to his disciples. How is this passage like the one in Acts 2? How is it different? Participants will receive insight into these issues, and will  learn how Jesus, the New Adam, sends his Spirit to us.

How do we open to the Spirit? Taking our cues from the New Testament, this presentation focuses on the dynamics of message, response and empowerment. Participants will consider different ways in which they encounter the Gospel message, the response of faith, and how this leads to empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

How can we grow in the life of the Spirit? This presentation reviews four pathways: prayer, study, community and service. Participants will learn of specific disciplines to help one grow in each of these areas.

The Holy Spirit interacts with our human consciousness to move us to become more Christ-like. One way of speaking of this is the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are infusions of grace to help us know and love as Christ does. Participants will learn more about these Seven Gifts, and how they are manifest in the life of individuals.

Charismatic gifts (sometimes called "spiritual gifts") are empowerments by the Holy Spirit that enable individuals to do specific actions to build up the community. Participants will learn about different kinds of gifts, criteria for discerning gifts, and a general orientation concerning the pentecostal movement in Christianity.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are an indicator of the action of the Spirit in one's life. Participants will learn what these Fruits are and how to recognize them in oneself and others. The fruits of self-indulgence will be discussed as a contrast.