Follow the Filling Week 2 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
When we trust in Christ, the creator of the universe literally indwells us, and that makes a visible change in our lives.
Discussion Starter:
Where is your favorite place you ever lived? How did your inhabiting that community change it?
Introduction:
This week, Pastor Chris talked about three marks of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (a.k.a. “The Spirit of Christ”):
1. Boldness
2. Victory over sin
3. The fruit of the spirit
Pastor Chris pointed us to Luke 4:18-19, where Jesus reads from Isaiah (61:1-2). Then Jesus stops mid-sentence, closes the book, and sits down. When Jesus did this, He perfectly exemplified all three of those marks.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Colossians 1:27, John 15:5, Romans 8:5-8, Galatians 5:16
Discussion Questions:
- How urgent is the world’s need to hear about Christ? Does that affect your boldness?
- If Christ actually indwells us, how much victory over sin can we expect? Is there a limit?
- Natural fruit has taste, smell, color, texture, and so on. The fruit of the spirit has several features, as well. If you were to look at the fruit of your life in the same way you look at fruit in the grocery store, how much would you want to share it with others?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Isaiah 61:1-11 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
Getting to know you: When you think about God being present with you at all times, do you feel convicted over the way you spend your time, or the things you’ve been showing to God? Or do you feel the comfort that comes from abiding in Him?
Getting to know them: Can you think of a time that God really got a visible victory over sin in your life? Don’t be afraid to ‘get raw and real’ and share your story. Give God credit where credit is due!
Getting to know Him: God has more promises in that passage in Isaiah 61 that Jesus was reading. Continue reading Isaiah 61:1-3. Why do you think Jesus stopped reading where He did?
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Please join us as we do a church-wide 21-Day Fast beginning Monday, January 7. You can fast one meal or one day, one meal per day, or do a Daniel fast. You can fast from social media or television. Fasting is not a diet to lose weight. When you fast, use the time you would have spent eating/posting/scrolling/watching to read God’s Word and specifically pray for a fresh filling in your life and for other Promisors. If you are looking for a place to start your scripture reading, join Faith Promise in our Bible reading plan. You can find the One-Year Bible Reading plan in the back of your “Follow the Filling” devotional book. The book is available FREE at each campus and includes a devotional for each day in January.
Engaging in Community: Jesus was “anointed to bring Good News to the poor.” He also gave us the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Who are the poor in your community, and how are you sharing the Good News?
Engaging the World: There are prisoners out there who need to hear about Jesus’ atonement. Each and every one of them was made in the image of God, and many are ready to hear about the hope of the resurrection. Let the Lord lead you by His spirit to engage with them as much as you can, from praying for them and those who visit them, to serving them through one of our God Behind Bars campuses.
Expand God’s Kingdom
It’s interesting that Jesus uses the analogy of a vine in John 15, because vines spread on their own; they will climb up and cover everything next to them if they’re healthy and allowed to grow.
Are you healthy in your relationship with Christ? Is there anything coming between you and Him?
Are you covering the things next to you in prayer?
How can you spread God’s love to places that haven’t had it before?
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
