02 - WHO IS HE?

ICE BREAKER / GAME

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GROUP SESSION VIDEO

GROUP SESSION CONVERSATION GUIDE

From the book of Genesis through the book of Revelation the Holy Spirit has had a constant impact and definite role in God’s plan for man.

From Genesis when “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen 1:2 KJV)” to Revelation when the Holy Spirit and the bride say “come.”  Throughout the generations from …

  • Giving Joseph the ability to interpret dreams (Gen 41:14-44)
  • Filling the builders of God’s temple with wisdom and creativity for extraordinary workmanship (Ex 28:3)
  • Giving Samson supernatural strength to single-handedly fight over 1000 soldiers and win (Judges 13:25)
  • Empowering Elijah to outrun a horse and chariot (1Kings 17-19)
  • Inspiring men to write songs (2 Sam 16:2)
  • Speaking through prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah
  • Giving direction and strategies to kings like King Jehosophat (1Chron 20)
  • Impregnating Mary
  • Empowering Jesus for his miraculous ministry
  • Speaking through the Apostle Paul and other writers of inspired documents
  • Regenerating the spirit within people
  • Pouring Himself out on the Church
  • Helping people in prayer

…the Holy Spirit has been active in redeeming mankind.

Before we really get caught up in the activity and awesome experiences of the Holy Spirit we need to better contextualize this whole topic by being introduced to who the Holy Spirit actually is.

If we think of the Holy Spirit, as many do, as merely a divine power or influence, that we are to somehow get a hold of and use, it will lead us to focus on self-exalting and ultimately empty life tasks or functions.  But if we think of the Holy Spirit as a person we enter the awesome and growing thrill of an interpersonal, intimate, glorious, all-encompassing relationship with Him.  If we just once grasp the thought of the Holy Spirit as a divine person of infinite majesty, glory, holiness, and power, with God’s plan and your interests at heart, we will be forever humbled, yielded to His service and moved by this transcendent oneness in relationship with Him.

While it is easy for many to imagine being in a relationship with God the Father, or God the Son (Jesus), I want to begin provoking new thoughts of having a real relationship with the Holy Spirit.  

JOHN 14:16-20 NKJV [Jesus said] And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another HELPER (Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby) , that He may ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER-- 17 the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees HIM nor knows HIM; but you know HIM, for HE dwells WITH you and will be IN you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I [am] in My Father, and YOU IN ME, and I IN YOU.

2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the COMMUNION of the HOLY SPIRIT [be] with you all. Amen.

 

HUNGER FOR HIM 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-21 KJV QUENCH (extinguish) NOT the SPIRIT. 20 DESPISE (displace or set aside, regard lightly, or not esteem) NOT prophesyings. 21 PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 NKJV But EARNESTLY DESIRE the BEST GIFTS. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:39-40 NKJV Therefore, brethren, DESIRE EARNESTLY to prophesy, and DO NOT FORBID to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

QUESTIONS

  1. What was your understanding of the Holy Spirit as a person before this week’s video?
  2. If you had to choose one person in history to be in an hour per week relationship, who would they be?
  3. What does it mean to you that the Holy Spirit desires a personal relationship?
  4. What does it mean to you to have a “koinania” depth of intimacy with the Holy Spirit?
  5. What does it mean to you, that God is requiring for YOU, to desire earnestly all the Holy Spirit has for you?
  6. After watching this session’s video, what is your biggest takeaway, “ah ha” moment, or challenging thought? Why?

PRAYER

Prayer time with the Group. 

ENCOURAGEMENT CONNECTION THIS WEEK

  • PRAY FOR GROUP MEMBER - Pray for at least one person in the Group. Try to identify someone who hasn't been prayed for, or given an encouraging Scripture. Don't worry about feeling inadequate as a prayer. No one feels like they are professional prayers, at least not when they look into eyes of the Almighty God. Praying the Scriptures over people is the best way to learn how to pray effectively. Simply find a Scripture, put the person's name in the text, and pray those words out loud. Then ask the Lord to help you think of things to say to Him about them that would help their lives. 
  • ASK FOR A SCRIPTURE WORD - Ask God to give you a Scripture to give them to encourage, comfort and edify them. You can Google search "God's Promises" and find a plethora of appropriate texts. Look for one that seems to give you a spark of energy as you think about the person you have been praying for. 
  • DELIVER THE WORD TO THEM - Then send them an email, text or phone call to encourage them. This is how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. As you practice these movements you will expand your own capacity with God, all while giving people much needed hope and strength. 

DISMISS

 

 

Patrick NorrisComment