Community Group Discussion Guide: Walking in the Spirit - 10 Works of the Holy Spirit
Icebreakers:

1. What would you say to a person if they asked you to explain the Trinity?
2. There are a number of scripture passages that tell us that "God" is beyond our human ability to fathom, so why do we try to define God or put Him in a box?
   
3. It should be no surprise that the Creator of everything that is would be beyond our human attempts of quantifying Him.  Describe some of the "ways" in which God is amazingly "great."​ 

10 Works of the Holy Spirit:
#1 The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

• What tools does the Holy Spirit use to teach us?
• If the Holy Spirit is the "teacher" of the Church, why are there so many different ideas concerning doctrine and conduct?

Community Group Discussion Guide: Walking in the Spirit - The Helper
Read John 14:16-18 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; [17] that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. [18] “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Acts 1:4-8 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [6] So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; [8] but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Icebreakers:

1. How would you define the "Kingdom of God?"  (How is the Church related to the Kingdom of God?)
2. Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world, but is established in another place."  Why do you think Jesus did not establish His Kingdom on earth as the disciples seemed to desire?
3. What do you think is the relationship between the Kingdom of God and modern day Israel?​

Big Idea: The Hymn, The Solid Rock makes this bold declaration: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name! On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand." It is so easy in an affluent society to "trust the sweetest frame." We get a sense of security from our material wealth and relatively peaceful life. We are untouched by poverty and hunger and are surrounded by creature comforts. So, the question needs to be asked: "Is my hope build on the Solid Rock or other things?"  Without exception, every one of us will face situations in life that cannot be solved or even faced with a hope built on temporal substance. At some point in time, we will all walk through the valley of the shadow of death. At that moment the creature comforts and the fleeting security of wealth will be of no use.  For those whose trust is in the Lord, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There is always the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. There is always hope for a victorious outcome. There is always a Champion standing with us.
Digging Deeper: The 8th Chapter of Romans is perhaps the most hopeful chapter in the Bible.  It bursts with hope. It does not paint a Pollyanna view of the world.  It speaks of the suffering of the world and of the saints, but it looks beyond the troubles of this world to the Blessed Hope that is found in God.
Verses 14-18: [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

1. What does it mean to you personally to be a child of God and a joint-heir with Jesus?
2. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit?
3. How was Jesus glorified?  (What does it mean for us to be "glorified" with Christ?)

Verses 19-23: [19] For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. [23] And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

1. How would you describe the "slavery to corruption" that is being suffered by our world?  
2. How did the fall of man into sin change the world?  (What are some of the obvious signs that our world is under a curse?)
3. What are some of the changes that the redemption of our body will bring to our existence? 

Verses 24-27: [24] For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. [26] In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; [27] and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1. What portion of our salvation remains "unseen?"
2. Read Ephesians 1:13-14  In Him (Jesus), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.  What does it mean when this scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance?   
3. What is your understanding of the "Blessed Hope" or the redemption of the body?  

Wrap-up: Verses 28-31: [28] And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [29] For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; [30] and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. [31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

1. What verse 28 mean when it states that all things will work out for "our" good?
2. What are some of conditions associated with this promise?
   
3. Verse 30 details what God has done on our behalf, how does this confirm His love for us?
   

Community Group Discussion Guide: Word of Your Testimony
Read: Revelation 12:7-11.   NASB95
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, [8] and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. [10] Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
Icebreakers:

• How high of a value do you place on integrity?  (Why is integrity important to you?)
• How would you define the term "integrity?"  
• What are some of the important characteristics associated with integrity?

Big Idea: The Apostle John tells us that in his vision, he saw Satan being defeated.  He then states that the Enemy has been overcome by the "Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."  The blood of the Lamb is pointing to the cross, where Jesus shed His blood and made an atonement for our sin.  The "word of their testimony" is referring to our life in Christ. The "word" (Greek: Logos) is referring to more than just a word that we would speak or write; it is speaking of what is written though the actions of our lives.  In other words, what does "how we are living" say about us?  What epistle is being written by the actions of our lives?
Digging Deeper: John starts the narrative of Revelation, chapter 12, with a vision of a war in the heavens.  It is a clash between the powers of darkness and Michael and the angels against Satan (Dragon) and his allies.   
Read verses 7-9: [7] And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, [8] and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

1. This would totally be speculative, but why do you think that God opposed the dragon and the evil forces through Michael and his angels rather than directly intervening? 
2. What motivated Satan to rebel against God?  (This is a demonstration of why "pride" is so dangerous)
3. What does the Bible tell us about Satan's activity while on earth?

Read verse 10: [10] Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

1. How has the coming of Jesus and His atoning work threatened the powers of darkness?
2. What do you think the following terms and phrases are referring to?  (The Salvation; The Power; The Kingdom of our God; The Authority of His Christ)
3. What was Satan's accusation against Job?  (What are some accusations that the Enemy could make against you that would be accurate?)  Note: We need the covering of God's grace, because we have all sinned and are easy targets for the Enemy to hit.

Read verse 11: [11] And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

1. Describe the atoning work of Christ.  What did Jesus' sacrifice accomplish?
2. What do you think is meant by the phrase, "the word of their testimony?"  ​                                      

Big Idea: God is good and full of grace.  When it comes to "us," we are not so good and not known as creatures that are full of grace.  In most New Testament texts, grace is mentioned as an attribute of God.  Grace (Geek: Charis) is generally defined as the spontaneous, unilateral, unmerited gift of God’s favor that ultimately leads to salvation. The concept of God's grace is encapsulated in Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Digging Deeper: Jesus gives his audience a definitive teaching on grace.  His teaching is challenging from the first sentence, where Jesus challenges His listeners with these words: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
Read verses 27,28: [27] “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1. Why is it so hard for most people to love their enemies?
2. What is the difference between grace and justice?  (Why do most of us prefer the idea of justice?)
   

Read verses 29-31: [29] Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. [30] Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. [31] Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

1. Should we apply this teaching to everyday life?  (Why or why not?)
2. Have you ever had the opportunity to turn the other cheek?  (How did that work out for you?)

Read verses 32-34: [32] If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. *Note: The English word "credit" is the Greek word "charis" or grace.

1. In order to express "God-like" grace, Jesus tells us that we would need to love those that do not love us; do good to those who may not do good to us; and loan money without the expectation of getting anything in return.  Why is this level of grace a difficult pill to swallow?
2. How has God demonstrated grace towards you?
   

Wrap-up: Read verses 35-38. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. [37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

• Extending grace to other people is not the expected human response.  Most people expect that others will judge them, will condemn them, and not forgive them.  This makes grace an effective means by which to have Godly influence on others

Community Group Discussion Guide: Be a Doer
Read: James 1:21-25 NASB95 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. [25] But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Icebreakers:

• When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?  (What one feature would you like to change in your appearance?)
• Perhaps the most prevalent sin in the post-modern world is vanity.  This is certainly the case of our culture's preoccupation with celebrities.  Why do you think that famous people tend to be "stuck" on themselves?
• What do you think Solomon was referring to when he stated that "all is vanity?

​Big Idea: When it comes to "living out" the Gospel (the word implanted, which is able to save you) many Christians struggle with doing and living what they clearly understand.  That said, if we understand and believe the Word of God, and do not put it into practice, we are living in deception.  In other words, it is not "OK" to be a hearer of the word and not apply it to our lives. 

Scripture Exploration: James pulls no punches as he challenges "us" to live what we proclaim we believe.  He calls Believers to eliminate the gulf between the aspirations of how we think we should live and how we are actually living.
James 1:21-22 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

1. Why is humility necessary in our pursuit of God?
2. How is it to our benefit to lay aside all filthiness and wickedness?
3. How would you describe "the word implanted?"  (Greek - Logos)  
4. Why is it important to live what we say we believe?

James 1:23,24 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

1. ​What makes the man in the mirror such an unreliable measure of who we are and who God wants us to be?
2. What are some of the advantages of building our identity on Christ rather than on ourselves?
   

Wrap-up: James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

• ​I think that most people would like to live a life where they are being blessed.  James indicates that the "doer" who is living out the Word of God will be blessed.  Why do you think that some, who even believe this, still choose to be hearers only?

Community Group Discussion Guide: Why Reformation?
Read: 1 Peter 1:22-25 NASB95 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, [23] for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. [24] For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, [25] BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
Icebreakers:

• When it comes to your wardrobe, are your choices in clothing driven by more by fashion or practicality?  (Why?)
• Are you more inclined to "throw out" clothing because it is worn out or looks dated?
  
• Fashions are changed on a regular basis, for the purpose of making money in the clothing business; what are some of the other things in life that seem to change and shift on a regular basis?  (Do you personally like or dislike change?  Why?)
  

Big Idea: The idea for a Reformation had been brewing for some time, but it officially launched on October 31st, 1517 when Martin Luther (an Augustinian monk from Germany) nailed his "95" Theses" to the door of "All Saints' Church" in Wittenberg, Germany.  The Reformation was not a call to "reform" into something new as much as it was to recapture and return to something that was ancient.  The Reformation was about returning to Biblically based Christianity.  According to Luther, the Catholic religion had drifted away from some of the important practices and beliefs of Biblical Christianity.  The Reformation was a call for Christianity to return to its roots.  Since the Word of the Lord endures forever, Believers in Christ should treat the Bible as the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

Scripture Exploration: In the 1st Chapter of 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter expounds on the importance of God's Word and covers some of the great truths of our faith.  Peter takes on "Grace," "Holiness," and "Love."
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1. How would you describe or define the concept of grace?
2. Why is it essential to "fix our hope completely on grace?"  
   
3. What are some of the theological differences between a "saved by grace" and a "saved by grace and works" theology?  (This was one of the theological points that led to the Reformation)
   

1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, [15] but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; [16] because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

1. Holiness is largely viewed as spiritual perfection.  However, holiness is more about being set apart for the purposes of God.   (The vessels in Solomon's Temple were considered Holy.  Why?  Because, they were set aside to exclusively serve the purposes of God)
   
2. What is the correlation between holiness and human behavior?  (In other words, does being set aside for God's purposes change human behavior?)
3. The Apostle Paul brilliantly describes holiness in Philippians 3:13-14. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  How does pressing forward help us leave the "things" of the past?
   

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.

1. How important is love, as in forming agape-based relationships, in the Church?
2. How does the love expressed in our relationships within the Church serve as a witness to those that are without Christ?
   
3. How would you describe love (Agape) in the context of our conduct towards one another?  (Refer to 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a) 

Wrap-up: All of these great Bible themes are essential to the Christian Faith.  The salient call of the reformers was a call to return to a Bible-based Faith.  Peter tells us that the "Word of God endures forever."  Without the proper Biblical foundation, our faith becomes subjective and false.  When we move our thinking away from the truth that is God's Word, we are walking in a gospel of our own creation and that is not the gospel that has the power of salvation.

Community Group Discussion Guide: The Mission
Read: Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Icebreakers:

• What age were you when you accepted Christ and how did it change your life?
• It has been said that "becoming" a disciple of Christ is a life-long process, in what areas of your life do you see transformation taking place?
  
• Could you, without reserve, declare, "Follow me as I follow Christ?"

Big Idea: When the Elders were pondering about how to determine and then articulate our Mission Statement as a church, we prayed about it and consulted scripture.  We asked the question, "Since Jesus is the head of the Church, what instructions did He deliver to us?"  The answer (for us) centered on a passage of scripture commonly referred to as the Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20.  The Elders are convinced that Jesus' statement supplies us with our marching orders.  There was a second scripture that also impacted our Mission Statement.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 details the greatest commandment and then emphasizes the importance of passing down this value to our children.  After carefully considering these two scriptures our Mission Statement reads as follows:  "We are dedicated to developing fully devoted followers of Christ in every generation."

Scripture Exploration:
Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

1. What is the significance of Jesus declaring His authority before giving "us" the command to go and make disciples?
2. How can the local church involve itself in making disciples of all the nations?  (How can you personally get involved in world missions?)
   
3. Why is the "teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" portion of the Great Commission so crucial and important to the discipleship process?
   

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children (sons) and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

1. How do we know that "loving God" is the greatest of all the commandments?  (Refer to Matthew 22:36-40)
2. What advice would you give a new convert as to how to put the greatest commandment into action?  (What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul and might?)
3. ​There seems to be an extravagant effort that is required in passing down our spiritual heritage to the next generation.  What does the idea of "teaching them diligently to your children" mean to you?
   

Wrap-up: It is common for an organization to state what their mission is without walking in that mission.  At Believers Church, we sincerely want to organize around our stated mission and keep it in the forefront of our thinking as we organize and plan.  Please pray for the leadership of our church, and when needed remind us of the mission.

• What are some of the distractions that cause church organizations to veer off course?
• ​How can you actively involve yourself in the mission to make disciples?