Life Group Notes – May 22 2022

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In the Power of the Holy Spirit

Week of  May 22^nd,  2022

All scripture from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Study by Wayne Arcand

Last week we ended with this note: All who believe in Christ as the risen Saviour have the power of the Holy Spirit alive in them and working through them. Romans 8:⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit is primarily to transform our character, to make our life reflect the life of Christ.

1. In Christian circles we talk about committing our life to Jesus. But there is also submitting to the will of the Father.
   1. Discuss the difference between commitment and submission.
   2. Can you have submission without commitment? Explain.
   3. What is the basis for submitting to the will of the Father?

2. Ephesians 2: ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
   1. In your own words, restate Ephesians 2:8 and 9, putting it in the first person.
      1. What impact do these verses have on you when you change the application of these truths from the impersonal “you” to the personal “I”?
   2. What does verse 10 mean when it says, “for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus”?
      1. Why were we created in Christ Jesus?
         1. What does this mean to you?
      2. Analyse the phrase, “which God prepared in advance for us to do”.
         1. What do we learn about God?
         2. What do we learn about our purpose?

3. Ephesians 4:¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
   1. Define each of the offices that Christ gave himself:
      1. What is an apostle?
      2. What is a prophet?

• What is an evangelist?

1. What is a pastor?
2. What is a teacher?

1. What is the purpose or role of apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers?
2. What are works of service?
   1. How are God’s people equipped for works of service?
3. Discuss works of service that a follower of Jesus can be involved in.

4. Romans 12:1-2 tells us, “¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Galatians 5:²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1. What does scripture mean when it says, “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”?
2. What are the characteristics of the ‘worldly mind” vs the characteristics of a “renewed mind”?
   1. How does this transformation take place?
3. What is the connection between Romans 12:2 and Galatians 5:24?
4. Can we display the fruit of the spirit and be conceited? Why?

5. Romans 12: ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
   1. Explain the analogy of Romans 12:4-8?
   2. Does this passage apply to all who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Saviour? Explain.
   3. What gifts or abilities has the Lord blessed you with that you can use in his service?

For Reflection: All of us want our life to have meaning and purpose. As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, we were created in Christ Jesus for a purpose – to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Living the transformed life is serving using the spiritual gifts and abilities with which the Lord has blessed us. God has designed us so our unique abilities compliment one another, so that together we accomplish the Lord’s purpose in our lives, in His Church and in our community. If you are not already serving, prayerfully consider what you enjoy doing, what you are able to do and actively seek where you may serve. You will find it a rewarding experience.