Supernatural Strength
Selected Scripture
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Review:
We use the term Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is certainly in the Bible, and he indwells every follower of Jesus. But there remains an element of ignorance, confusion, and even reluctance to explore the topic much further. And yet the irony is that the Holy Spirit is so critical to what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. This week we are looking at the role of the Holy Spirit in giving us power in will and action to live this supernatural life in Christ…
The Grand Tour of the message: Thinking back on what you heard this Sunday…
o What did you learn about God?
o What did you learn about people?
o What did you learn about yourself?
o What do you want to commit to putting into practice?
Reflection:
Personal Experience:
Share about a time when you REALLY gave it your VERY BEST… and it still was not enough. Maybe it was breaking a habit, or maybe a task at work or in school, or maybe an aspect of self-development. You really tried, and it just didn’t work out. What happened, how did you feel going through it, and what part did faith play in the story?
Many of us equate discipleship with self-development. What is wrong with that perspective?
Group Discussion:
What is this “abiding” in Jesus as a normal part of daily life (verses just checking in/ crisis pleas)? What does it mean to have Christ “DWELL” in our hearts by faith? (Eph 3:16-17, Matt 6:33, John 15:4-11, Luke 9:23, Phil 3:7-11, Col 3:17)
What does it mean to have a “mind set” on the things of the Spirit, “governed” by Him? (Rom 7:21-8:6, 1 Cor 10:13, Gal 5:16, James 4:7)
What is the difference between serving to EARN God’s favor and serving as an EXPRESSION of His favor, His grace, His anointing in our lives? Contrast these two.
Read Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23. These qualities can be seen to some degree in those who do not yet know Jesus… what is the distinctive that Paul is talking about here— what makes it fruit “of the Spirit” and how would we discern that? (Eph 5:18, Phil 2:13, 2 Cor 3:18)
Read Eph 5:18— this verse essentially says, “Be Being Filled with the Spirit” as a consistent, ongoing experience of God living in, working in, working through us. What is our part in that? (John 15:4-4, Gal 5:25, Rom 12:1-2, Ps 143:10)
Application:
What areas do you most sense the need for God’s strength, for the ‘fruit’ of the Holy Spirit to be evident? Where would that be an absolute miracle if it broke through in your life? Commit to setting your mind on the things of the Spirit, and follow His lead.
Prayer:
Spend some time in prayer recommitting ourselves to Him, to abiding in Him and to seeking His power, His presence as we set our minds on the things of the Spirit this week.
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