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 The Holy Spirit and the Weird

OVERVIEW:  In this series “De-spooking the Holy Spirit”, Pastor Terry has been encouraging us to embrace all the gifts the Bible reveals the Father has given to His children, while keeping our understanding of the person and power of the Holy Spirit aligned with the mission of Jesus Christ.  Doctrinal beliefs in Christianity have ranged from outright rejection of the spiritual gifts that are taught in scripture to the other extreme of making spiritual gifts the focus instead of God Himself.  We have been exploring what the Bible teaches about the spiritual gifts, with the view that the Bible is true and trustworthy.  As you discuss the points below, begin your discussion by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your conversation and reveal himself to you.

DISCUSSION POINTS:
Believing, Embracing and Pursuing what we don’t fully understand

As you read through the Bible you quickly discover that God delights in offending the mind in order to reveal the heart.    –Pastor Terry

 The gifts of the Spirit, as taught throughout the New Testament, are most often rejected for one fundamental reason: because people do not understand them at the head level, and people often don’t feel comfortable exploring or experiencing what they don’t understand.  This, however, is not an accident in God’s plan.  God has designed his Kingdom such that we must “walk by faith and not by sight.”  In other words, God has intentionally built into his creation the necessity for us to believe Him and follow Him, even if we don’t fully understand the details of what He is leading us into and through. That is called faith, and the scriptures say that, “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” 

 Read Isaiah 55:6-9 and talk about what the prophet Isaiah is revealing about God and how this passage helps us to accept and pursue the things that do not make sense to us in the natural.

The Guardian of the Supernatural

 Anyone with much experience being around the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement has undoubtedly experienced people who have become so enamored and fascinated by the “gifts, signs and wonders” that they have made their Christian faith about the gifts rather than about the One who gives them.  The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit are simply to help us fulfill the great commandment, to love God and to love others.  

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul discusses the gifts of the Spirit extensively in Chapters 12 and 14.  Interestingly he nestles one of the most powerful excerpts in all of the Bible right in between his encouragement about the gifts.  It has become known as the “Love Chapter” and is one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. 

Read 1 Corinthians 13 aloud in your group, in its entirety.  Then talk about what Paul is saying that should “govern” the exercising of the gifts.  Notice the two statements made in the last verse of chapter 12 (see below) and talk about what Paul is saying in each statement of verse 31, and how they compliment each other.  How does chapter 13 serve as the “Guardian of the Supernatural?”

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.  

Why Do We Eagerly Desire the Spiritual Gifts?   Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.  Now read the excerpts below, from what you just read, and discuss what you believe the overarching purpose of for the gifts are and what they are designed to produce.

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy…  everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort… so that the church may be edified.

Taking Action:  Read 1 Corinthians 12—14 prayerfully.  Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a fresh way.

MINISTRY TIME

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~~Moving Beyond the Scandal of Pentacost

 Overview:  In part one of this series we discussed the “personhood” of the Holy Spirit.  Last week Pastor Terry’s message was dealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and whether or not they are meant for believers today or if they were, as the cessationists believe, only for a period of time and are no longer applicable for Christians living after the days of the early church.  City of Grace follows a theology that takes the Bible at its “Word” regarding the person and the power of the Holy Spirit.  In our discussions this week, let’s look at a few of the reasons why it is clear and imperative that we receive this essential equipping of the Holy Spirit’s power that God provides for his children.

Read the Read Acts 1:4-8 and then discuss the thoughts below in your groups:

1.    Notice that Jesus is talking to believers when he says you will receive power when the Spirit comes “upon” you.  Talk about the difference between how the Spirit indwells believers versus this passage that describes a “coming upon” of the Spirit for power.   
2.    Talk about how it is this “power” that enables believers to be, as Jesus describes, “my witnesses.”
3.    Read the final words of Matthew, 28:16-20.  How is having the power to witness tied to Great Commission Jesus gave his disciples.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and discuss the thoughts below in your groups:

 1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

1.   This chapter immediately follows the powerful “love” chapter of 1 Cor. 13.  Notice in verse one how the Apostle Paul begins his dialog on the gifts by saying “follow the way of love.”  Have you ever seen the topic of “spiritual gifts” be promoted by Christians in a way that was not “following the way of love?”  How do you think that has hindered some believers from pursuing the gifts in their own lives?
2.   Notice that we are encouraged to “eagerly” desire the spiritual gifts, and especially the gift of prophecy.  What does verse three tell us about the gift of prophecy that makes it such a valuable gift for the strengthening of the Church?
3.   How does the description of prophecy in verse 3 differ from the examples of prophecy found in the Old Testament?  Do you think people’s idea of Old Testament prophecy can confuse them from understanding the New Testament expression of prophecy as described in verse three?  If so, why?

Taking Action:  After praying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth, read 1 Corinthians chapter 12, 13 and 14 and then ask the Father to give you the gifts of the Spirit that will help you be His witness and bring him glory.

MINISTRY TIME

~~ WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

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 Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship

 OVERVIEW:  In the series we just began entitled, De-spooking the Holy Spirit, Pastor Terry is seeking to undo the misconceptions about the person of the Holy Spirit.  He is pointing us to who Jesus and the Bible reveals this third person of the trinity to be.  As you read through the passages below, contemplate in your groups this marvelous person…, God the Holy Spirit.  As you begin your discussion, ask the Holy Spirit to come and give you insight into who he is as you seek to know Him more. As you journey to know the Holy Spirit more deeply, be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul as he speaks of the Holy Spirit this way:
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  –Romans 5:5

DISCUSSION POINTS:

GUIDING TRUTH: Read the John 15:26-27 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

Talking Point: Notice that a characteristic of the Holy Spirit is that he will “testify” about Christ.  How does this help us to discern when it is the Spirit of God speaking to us versus a counterfeit “voice”?

POINT ONE:  The Holy Spirit is our Counselor.
Read John 14:15-17  ”If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (NIV)

Talking Point: Talk in your group about how you have experienced the Holy Spirit reveal truth to you.  Talk about why it is importance to invite the Holy Spirit to  “counsel” you as you open the Bible to study God’s Word. 

POINT TWO: The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.
Read John 14:25-26 (NKJV) “25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26But 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 things that I said to you.“

Talking Point: How is the Trinity reflected in verse 26?  Notice how Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a “person” when he says, “He will teach you all things.”  Is it easy for you to think of the Holy Spirit as a “person”?  Why or why not?  Why is it important for us to know the personhood of the Spirit?

POINT THREE:  The Holy Spirit is our Guide.
Read John 16:13 (NKJV) “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Talking Point: How have you experienced the Holy Spirit guiding you in life decisions that you’ve needed to make.

POINT FOUR: The Holy Spirit is a Giver of Spiritual Power and Supernatural Gifts.
Read Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Talking Point: Jesus told the disciples that they would be His witnesses, but only after they received power for the task.  How does Jesus describe the imparting of that power in Acts 1:8? 

TAKING ACTION:  In your devotional time read Romans 8:26-27 and then spend some time in prayer with a fresh awareness that you are not only praying “to” God, but that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is praying to the Father with you and for you.  Ask the Lord to help you be released into a new level of confidence in your prayers as you contemplate this truth.

MINISTRY TIME

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~~WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY TO OCTOMOM~~ 

Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
 
OVERVIEW

On Mother’s Day weekend Pastor Judith spoke on the topic “What Would Jesus say to Octomom?”  Nadya Denise Dowd-Suleman was nicknamed “Octomom” by the media when she recently gave birth to octuplets through in-vitro fertilization, bringing the total number of children to 14 for this single mother.  She has made national news because of her choices.  In an interview with Oprah, several points emerged from her story that are applicable to the human condition.  Let’s look at some of these in our group discussions and talk about how these topics relate to us. 

Security
Octomom indicated that one of the factors that drove her to have so many children in such an unusual manner was the need for the security that human connectedness brought her.  She stated that her connectedness to her children made her feel secure… secure as in having somebody to love and be loved by. 

Read Luke 14:25-27.  In this passage, Jesus is obviously not telling us to hate people, so what is the point he is making about security in relationships as Octomom defines security?  How can our love for others be more potent and powerful if we place Jesus in the highest place of our lives.

Significance: 
Octomom alluded to search for significance as being a motivator for her actions as she “tried to fill a missing piece” in her life. 

Read 1 Peter 1:17-23, Ephesians 1:15-23 and Psalm 139:13-17 and talk about the foundation upon which our significance rests.  With these passages in mind, talk about the Bible’s version of significance and how people without Christ chase after the façade of true significance.  Discuss how we are fearfully and wonderfully made and how our significance is found only through our relationship with our creator.

Survival: 
Octomom’s choices have placed her in survival mode.  What difference would it make in her life if she turned to Jesus for her answers today?

TAKING ACTION:  In your devotional time this week, bring these three areas before the Lord in prayer.  Talk to God about your security being in him alone, and stir trust in your heart.  Ask God to show you how your life is significant because of Christ… what he has done for you, and what he desires to do in and through you.  And finally, bring before the Lord any area you feel you are merely surviving through.  Ask the Lord to walk with you through the valleys you are facing, and help you to keep your eye on the Good Shepherd.
MINISTRY TIME

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Christ in Culture
Part Three: What Would Jesus Say to Bono?

 Overview: Bono is the front man of the Irish Band, U2. He loves Jesus and is committed to solving many of the social challenges our generation. He prays and reads the Bible, but rarely attends church. Religion is spiritual mechanics absent a heart of passionate devotion. It is possible to be a grace filled person captivated by the wonder of God and committed to changing our world and be committed to a local church.
Discussion Points:
Point One: Worshipping Together—Read Hebrews 10:24-25
What is the purpose of gathering together with other Christians on a weekly basis? Why are many people saying “Yes to Jesus and No to the Church.” What are some benefits that you have seen from regular fellowship with other believers? What are some of the challenges?
Point Two: Hypocrites
Some avoid church because they say it is full of hypocrites, but don’t say that about other places. Why do you think that is? Not all who attend churches are Christians. All of us who attend are a people in process, and we sometimes respond to our old natures. How should we give each other forgiveness and patience as we learn to express the life of God within us more consistently?
Point Three: Relevance
Many people have left the church because they say that it is not relevant to their lives. The old ways of reaching and disciplining has not always worked. How do we continue to present the same message of God’s grace, but with greater relevance to our changing culture? How should we connect in better ways to people in our community and neighborhoods?
Point Four: Power to Make a Difference
Read John 20:23, James 5:14-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:18. We have been given power to remit sins, heal the sick and the power of reconciliation. How should the church express these in making a difference in our world today? How has he equipped you to make a difference?
What Jesus would say to Bono: Thank you for loving the outcast. Thank you for caring for the suffering. Thank you for standing for justice. But don’t forsake God’s plan while trying to fulfill God’s purpose. Take it easy on my Bride. She’s called, chosen and appointed. If you don’t like the way she is behaving, develop a relationship with her and help her become all I’ve destined her to be.
Taking Action:
In regard to this subject, what would Jesus say to your LifeGroup? What would Jesus say to you personally? How do we come to greater faith in who we are and in who God has made us to be in Christ? How has God called your group and you to take his message of grace and truth to those around you in a relevant manner?

Ministry Time