Community Group Discussion Guide: Walking in the Spirit - 10 Works of the Holy Spirit Icebreakers:
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.
#2 The Holy Spirit Convicts the World of Sin.
John 16:8 And He (The Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Romans 8:10-11 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
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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:
Big Idea: Jesus had created a panic among His disciples. Firstly, He told them that He was leaving them and that where He was going they could not follow. (John 14:1-6) Secondly, in the analogy of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus made it clear: "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) This is a real dilemma for the disciples. Jesus is leaving, and they can nothing apart from Him. What was the answer? Jesus promised "another Helper." The coming of the Holy Spirit was the answer. Digging Deeper: Much of what Jesus said concerning the role of the Holy Spirit is located in the "Last Discourse." This is the Gospel of John's account of Jesus' teachings starting in John Chapter 13 and running through Chapter 17. (This covers the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane) 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.
Read 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.”
Wrap-up: According to the Apostle Paul, the Church is currently fighting an ongoing spiritual battle with powers of darkness. This is not a mundane battle that can effectively be fought with carnal weapons. To engage the Enemy, we must put on the full armor of God. We can also fight with the confidence of knowing that, "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."
Community Group Discussion Guide: Hope Read Romans 8:14-31 NASB95 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. [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. [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. [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? Icebreakers:
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.
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:
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.
Wrap-up: Think of the “Word of your Testimony,” as the legal record of your life. If you were standing in a court before a judge, what evidence is there in your life that verifies what you living what you profess to believe? "The Word of their Testimony" is referring to Believers who are living for Christ and willing to die for Him.
Community Group Discussion Guide: Grace Read: Luke 6:27-38 NASB95 “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. [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. [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. [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.” Icebreakers:
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.
Community Group Discussion Guide: Devotional Thoughts
(This devotional guide is somewhat different than the usual fare. The questions and scriptures are based on three devotionals that RJ wrote) Where I Live: Matthew 5:14-20 NASB95 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; [15] nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Excerpt from Devotional: Before you start a quest of changing the world, you should consider giving Christ the opportunity to change you—then, and only then, will you be ready to make a difference in “your” corner of the world. Before you lash me with the criticism of not speaking to the issues happening on the big stage of American Culture, please know that change does not occur through more unwanted rhetoric; change happens when people change, and people change through the influence and love of the people who happen to live in “their” world. So, in the words of Christ, be the salt, be the light, where you live.
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:
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.
Community Group Discussion Guide: "Such Were Some of You"
Read: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 1Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 7Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. Icebreakers:
Read: Verses 1-6 1Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?
7Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.
9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
11Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. For verse 11, read Titus 3:3-6 for more context and details of what Paul means by washed, sanctified and justified.
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:
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.
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:
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.”
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