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RED LETTER SUMMER
(The Promise of the Spirit )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His role in the life of a Christ follower? When many genuine Christians think of the Holy Spirit, they imagine some impersonal force floating around the universe like “The Force” in Star Wars. However, the Holy Spirit is not an “it”; He is a person, He is God.

Summary:
Why is it easier to see God the Father and God the Son as persons, but harder to understand the Holy Spirit as the person of God; a person of the trinity; a member of the Godhead? After all, it is not God in two persons, but God in three persons.

In order to better wrap our minds around the Holy Spirit, let’s take a closer look at God’s Word to see how He is described. The Holy Spirit is called our counselor, comforter, helper, intercessor, advocate, and even friend; One who is called alongside us to offer assistance (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit is our teacher. He reminds us of God’s truth and helps us understand how truth changes everything, including us (John 14:25-26). The Holy Spirit is our guide; He walks with us and directs our steps while leading us into the fullness of who we are in God’s kingdom (John 16:13). He helps us stay on the trail; he gives us water when we’re thirsty, rest when tired, a kick in the pants when we grow lazy, and words of encouragement when we feel like quitting. The Holy Spirit is a giver - empowering and gifting us to speak things and do things for God’s glory that we couldn’t do before (Acts 1:8).

So, how can we become more intimate with the Holy Spirit and allow Him complete access in our lives? We must be born of the Spirit. This occurs when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior; putting our faith in Christ alone, dying to self, and living wholly for Him (John 3:4-6).  We must be baptized in the Spirit. There is an experience with God that is available to every believer who has been born into the Kingdom of God and it involves being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). We must be led by the Spirit and not our selfish desires (Romans 8:14).

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

John 14:15-26
According to these words of Jesus, who is the Holy Spirit? To whom will the Holy Spirit come (v.15-16)?  Share with the group examples of how the Holy Spirit has been your counselor, friend, teacher, guide, and/or strength.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Which Christians receive gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit (v.7)? Why are we given these gifts (v.7)? How have you benefited from others properly exercising their gifts?

Romans 8:9-17
What is the mark or sign that one is owned by Christ? What will prevent the Holy Spirit’s access and power in your life? How might you respond to someone who thinks the Holy Spirit is merely optional for Christians?
 
Taking Action: If you have restricted the Holy Spirit’s access in your life or discounted Him in any way, ask for forgiveness and repent. Cry out to the Holy Spirit this week and present Him with an invitation to have His way in your life and ask to be filled with His overflowing presence.

Ministry Time

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RED LETTER SUMMER
(The Present Reign of Christ )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Everyone wants to be blessed, but not everyone is willing to bow their knees to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and lay down their lives for His Kingdom purpose. It’s much easier to call Jesus Savior than it is to know Him as Lord.

Summary:
Jesus is Lord and He has brought His Kingdom. There is no middle ground for the Christian: unless you acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all, you can’t claim Him as Lord at all. He is called Lord over 600 times in the New Testament. You can’t make Him Lord; He has already claimed the title. What does the lordship of Jesus Christ mean to us? It means that we must recognize Him for who He is, we must offer Him total obedience, and we must give Him the honor that He is due. He has earned it; He is worthy of it. So, will you recognize His Lordship and will you submit to it?

Let’s remember that as Lord, Jesus brought with Him the Kingdom of God. Simply put, the Kingdom of God is the way things should be. It is the way God originally intended things to be before sinful man messed it all up. But, when do we get to begin experiencing this kingdom? When will things be as they were intended to be? Some religious people tell us it happens in the “sweet by and by” when we die. However, Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Not once did Jesus ever subject the Kingdom of God along with all of its promises and possibilities to a futuristic millennial age. He threw wide open the door of Heaven’s provision for our lives today. He demonstrated the presence of His Kingdom as He performed miracle after miracle. You see, not only did He declare the Kingdom to be “at hand”, but He performed miracles to show them just how close it was.

We must be careful not to miss the Kingdom of God due to ignorance, disbelief, or because we don’t understand the signs of His Kingdom. In our carnality, we must not look for personal signs to prove to us the reality of His Kingdom among us. Jesus is Lord and His Kingdom is here and now. In light of this reality, it’s time to change our thinking about everything. We can’t afford to miss the present reign of Christ.

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

Luke 6:46- 49
What does Jesus expect of those who call Him Lord? What does this parable teach should be the foundation of a life surrendered to Him? Contrast the results of submitting to His Lordship through obedience with not submitting.

Luke 19:11-27
What does verse 12 tell us about why Jesus came to earth? To whom does Jesus give kingdom responsibility until He returns, and what does He expect them to do until He returns? What is the difference between the outcome for the negligent servant and those who didn’t surrender to His lordship?

Philippians 2:5-13
We are to have the same attitude as Christ. How does this passage describe His attitude? In what ways do you see your attitude becoming more like Christ’s as you grow in your faith? Why will “all things” confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ? What is the relationship between Christ’s attitude and His kingdom authority?
 
Taking Action: This week, daily ask God to reveal any areas in your life that are not subjected to His Lordship. Repent, submit those things to God, and ask God for His grace to walk in newness of life – free from compromise and treason.

Ministry Time

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RED LETTER SUMMER
(Pray like this )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
So, do you know how to pray? How we pray matters. In fact, Jesus instructed His disciples about prayer on more than one occasion and we call these instructions “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Summary:
Too often Christians can find themselves stuck in a rut of selfish prayers where God is reduced to a genie who is supposed to grant the three wishes of health, wealth, and personal happiness. Other times, prayer can be used by the spiritually puffed-up as a tool to impress others. Jesus corrected these misuses of prayer when he unpacked what we call, “The Lord’s Prayer”. This prayer is our Lord’s teaching and our Lord’s pattern concerning prayer and life. Let’s be very clear that the Lord’s Prayer was not given as a literary masterpiece to be merely admired; nor, was it designed to simply be recited as a rote prayer. Rather, it was given to be a pattern and basis of prayer for real people in the real world. It is intended to help us understand how to talk with God and how to live for Him.

The Lord’s Prayer is comprised of four distinct components: adoration (praising God’s attributes and character), confession (confession of our sins to God), thanksgiving (thanksgiving for the blessings we have received from Him), and lastly supplication (requests for ourselves and others). These vital components of prayer can be best remembered by the use of the acrostic ACTS:  adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Finally, prayer is vital because it is our opportunity to commune directly with God, celebrate His glorious attributes, and praise Him for His marvelous works. Jesus actually spoke of prayer very presumptuously when He introduced the topic of prayer with the statement,”When you pray.” Notice, He didn’t say if you pray. Jesus was a man who prayed, and He understands the essential role it plays in our lives. So, let’s take Jesus’ lead and pray His way.

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

Matthew 6:5-8 (this week, also read The Message version of this passage)
(1) Does our motivation for prayer matter? (2) Discuss what can make some prayers wrong. (3) How do you respond to the suggestion that the Lord’s Prayer is more than a prayer to recite, rather it is a model for communicating with God.

Matthew 6:9-15 (this week, also read The Message version of this passage)
(1) What significance is there in the use of the words “our” and “us” in this prayer? (2) Why should our heavenly Father’s name be held in awe and in the highest honor? (3) How can we hold his name high? (4) Discuss why it can be hard to accept the will of our heavenly Father. (5) How do you react to the suggestion that we should pray for our daily bread, forgiveness and deliverance from temptation, rather than for our comfort and happiness? (6) Finally, discuss the importance of asking for forgiveness and forgiving others.

Taking Action: Put Jesus’ pattern of prayer into action by making a conscience decision while in prayer to spend time adoring God, confessing your sins, thanking Him for His blessings, and lastly asking Him for help.

Ministry Time

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RED LETTER SUMMER
(The Beatitudes = happiness that lasts forever )

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

Big Idea:
Happiness in God’s economy is measured and acquired very differently than the happiness advanced by this world. The happiness of this world is achieved through self promotion and indulgence, while the blessings of God are the result of a surrendered life. The happiness of this world is fake and fleeting, while God’s prescription for happiness goes deep and lasts forever. 

Summary:
Jesus has reversed human values; He has turned this world inside-out and claims that happiness (true fulfillment and blessing) is not the result of fame, pleasure or money. Rather, happiness is the residue of a holy life that is submitted to God and His values. Here’s the worlds list of happy people: [1] the proud, [2] the boisterous, [3] the beautiful, [4] those who seek pleasure, [5] the rich and powerful, [6] the fun-loving and wild, [7] the bold, and [8] the popular. Now, let’s take a look at Jesus’ list of happy people: [1] the poor in spirit - someone that is spiritually humble; [2] those who mourn - grieve over their own sinfulness; Godly sorrow; [3] the meek - considerate, gentle, unassuming; [4] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - desiring an obedient life. Jesus says, “ if you love me, you will obey me”; [5] the merciful - showing pity; [6] the pure in heart - personal purity, trying to live a life without sin; [7] the peacemakers - those who work toward friendly relations; [8] the persecuted - those who suffer for Christ’s sake.
 
So, which list best describes you – the worlds list or Jesus’ list? Which characteristics of happiness are you pursuing? (Feel free to stop and discuss in your group.)

Pursuing God’s definitions of happiness and blessing should not be intimidating, causing us to give up, or feeling that it is beyond our feeble efforts to achieve. God has given us all we need to be Beatitude happy – His powerful grace is enough. He is looking for our desire to strive for these characteristics and implant them in our daily lives. Remember, don’t worry, be HAPPY!

Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)

Matthew 5:1-12
Discuss why we experience true happiness and blessing when we live our lives like this. Which of these characteristics is hardest for you to exhibit? What can you do to make that characteristic part of your life? Discuss as a group. 

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
How does this passage depict a life lived purely for personal gain and the happiness promoted by the world? What kind of things do we pursue that will ultimately bring disappointment and emptiness rather than happiness? 

2 Peter 1:3-4
What excuses do people give for not living-out the Beatitudes?  How does this passage encourage you? Discuss why it is possible to be truly happy.
 
Taking Action: Begin each day next week by meditating on the Beatitudes. Ask God to reveal to you a practical action that you can take in order to grow in one or more of the Beatitude characteristics today. Go for it and become Beatitude happy. 

Ministry Time