10.21.07
Small Group Plan - October 21, 2007
“When God Shares Himself”
Ancient Future Faith
Small Group Plan
October 21, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
In his book, Fire In The Fireplace: Contemporary Charismatic Renewal, Charles E. Hummel wrote:
Study of Luke-Acts reveals Luke’s distinctive doctrine of the Holy Spirit. He records his prophetic action in inaugurating the New Age and empowering the mission of the church. This teaching differs from, but complements, that of John and Paul. (pg. 108)
For some believers the Holy Spirit is a topic to be studied. For others God’s Spirit is a presence to be experienced. When used exclusively, these two approaches follow very different agendas and leave their own kind of mark on a person.
But they don’t have to be opponents. In fact, they need each other. A much better approach is to follow a course of Study that leads to a holy Experience.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What did you grow up thinking about the Holy Spirit?
· Where did your thoughts and ideas come from?
· How has your understanding grown or changed?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Jesus Was The Bearer Of The Holy Spirit
Luke 3:21-22
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
· Why was Jesus baptized?
· Why was His decision difficult to make?
· How and why did God immediately affirm and encourage Jesus’ decision?
Luke 4:1-2
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.
· In view of Jesus’ decision (at His baptism) why must Satan attack now?
· How does being “full” and “led” by the Spirit empower Jesus?
Luke 4:14-21
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
· What did it mean for Jesus to move “in the power of the Spirit” (vs.14)?
· When Jesus said, “the Spirit is on me” (vs. 18) what did it mean? What did he do?
· When someone today says, “the Spirit is on me” what do they mean?
Jesus Was The Giver Of The Holy Spirit
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
· How is our baptism a reenactment of Jesus’ baptism?
· What does it mean to not only have God’s forgiveness, but also His presence, His Spirit?
Romans 8:14
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Galatians 5:18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
· How would you describe the character that God’s Spirit was forming in the lives of the early Christians?
· How did their relationships differ from those around them?
· How would you describe their Spirit-led mission?
Jesus Empowers Us With The Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
· What fruit of God’s Spirit do you need the most? Why?
· Which fruit of God’s Spirit do you see most clearly at Prestoncrest?
· What fruit of God’s Spirit does Prestoncrest need the most? Why?
· How can God’s Spirit build our spiritual community?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How do you react to the following quote?
Take the Holy Spirit out of the early church
and the entire movement would die.
Take the Holy Spirit out of today’s church
and nothing would change.
· What does it mean to rely on God’s presence when we face temptation?
Close by thanking God for His presence in our lives and our church.