LifeGroup Notes June 6, 2010; De-Spooking the Holy Spirit; Part Four
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~~BECOMING NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL~~
OVERVIEW: In Jesus day, and throughout church history, people have been putting on religious airs to try and convince themselves and others that they are living according the scriptures, but what does a truly supernatural Christian look like? In introducing his theme, Pastor Terry quoted Oswald Chambers who described a genuine Christian as someone who is ““naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural.” He pointed to Jesus as our example. Jesus did not put on religious “airs,” but rather he lived out his life naturally, loving all those who crossed his path, regardless of their socio-economic status or their religious credentials. He demonstrated an acceptance for the outcasts and the marginalized of his day, loving them with the supernatural love of the Father. While sometimes that love expressed itself in the form of miracles, it always expressed itself in the supernatural expression of unconditional love.
In order for us to fulfill our mission as individuals and our mission as a church family, “To Love People to Life,” we each we need the supernatural power of God actively expressing itself through our lives. With these thoughts in mind, let’s discuss three ideas of what it means to live naturally supernatural.
FIRST: We must resist the pressure to be someone other than who we are.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Notice that this passage is stated in the context of Paul’s instruction about the spiritual gifts. After reading the passage, discuss the following in your group:
1. What does this passage tell us about the importance of living our lives authentically, recognizing and accepting who we are in the body of Christ… and who we are not.
2. How does this metaphor of a body speak to the importance of serving Christ out of who God made us to be? Consider a human body with a leg that insisted on functioning as an arm, or an ear that wanted to so bad to “see” that it failed to serve the body by “hearing.”
3. Read verse 25&26 again. Talk about the ramifications of these versus in light of what you understand about the kingdom of God.
SECOND: We must restore value to people.
Read the excerpt below from Pastor Terry’s message and then discuss what is the overarching point of why God has given spiritual gifts to his followers (hint: the Great Commandment and Great Commission).
If you want to create an atmosphere for miracles…make helping people the thing that matters most. Jesus didn’t give His life for spiritual gifts. He didn’t die for correct doctrine. He didn’t sacrifice it all for church programs. He died for people. Now, all of those things are important to God, BUT people matter the most. When you make people the most important thing…God will provide everything that you need to help them right down to signs, wonders and miracles! —Pastor Terry
THREE: We must embrace a natural way of using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Read the excerpt below from Pastor Terry’s message:
We have come to equate the spectacular with the supernatural. But not everything supernatural is spectacular! We are far more supernatural than we realize and yet NOT many of us are spectacular. And when we equate the supernatural with the spectacular we devalue the genuine work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. What do these words say to us about how and why we should embrace a natural expression in using the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
FINAL Discussion Point: In your group, talk about how the series on the Holy Spirit has spoken to you. What affect will this teaching have on the way you continue to follow Jesus?
TAKING ACTION: In your devotional time this week, ask the Holy Spirit to help you process how God has revealed Himself to you in a fresh way over the past four weeks. Write down your thoughts in your Bible or in your journal.
MINISTRY TIME