Joshua House Small Group Discussion Guide


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Joshua House Small Group Discussion Guide Living by the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:13-25 (Romans 8:26-27) Holy Spirit Series

Teaching Summary Tonight we are concluding our series on the Holy Spirit with a study in living a free life.

Introduction What would happen if there was a guarantee that no police would answer any 911 calls next week? What might happen in the city of Columbus? What would happen if there were no traffic laws, stop lights, or stop signs? Would you describe this as a safe place to live? What is your definition of the word, “freedom”? Pray. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:13-25

Getting into the Text • •

According to verses 13-15 how does Paul describe what people are like when they live a their lives according to their own desires? What word would you use to describe the struggle Paul lays out in verses 16-18?? Connection to today: • Can a few of us share about a time where what you wanted was actually bad for you? Maybe you only figured it out in hindsight, as in, “I really wanted this, but if I had actually got it, then my life would not have gone well.” • What ways do you test or weigh whether or not something is good for you?

Finding Ourselves in the Text Paul says that the results of indulging your desires as opposed to indulging the Spirit are pretty obvious. Verses 19-21 are the very opposite of 22-26. Some of these things are pretty extreme (orgies, witchcraft) while others are more common (hatred, drunkenness, dissensions/factions). Certainly these things exist in our culture and world. • • •

Are there other ways that we indulge our desires that are also harmful? What do you think Paul means by, “those who live this way will not inherit the Kingdom of God”? What do you think Paul means by “crucify” the sinful nature and “live by the Spirit”?

  •

Do you think the people in Paul’s day viewed the Spirit’s version of “freedom” as restricting? Connection to today: • What has it looked like in your life when you have even slipped into things found in verses 19-21? What barriers in your relationship with God and others did you encounter? • What about living by the Holy Spirit’s direction sounds good? • What sounds difficult about it? • What do you think true “freedom” is?

The Challenge from the text Let’s re-read just verse 25. • • • •

Like it says in verse 25, how do we keep in step with the Holy Spirit? Why do you think Paul uses “fruit” as an analogy to what God wants to do in us? What aspects of “growth” or “growing” can be a challenge in our culture today? What sounds liberating about growing in the Holy Spirit and this kind of “freedom”? Connection to today: Some of us may be thinking, “Wow. The Holy Spirit wants me to do and be someone I am not to sure about. I want to have all that fruit, but I’m not even sure where to start. I’m not even sure how or what I should pray for. I really could use some help. Could someone read Romans 8:26-27. • •

What do we learn about the devotion of the Holy Spirit towards our growth? How can we help each other keep in step with what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through us?

Possible Ministry time ideas… Maybe in pairs ask each other where we see God stepping into our lives right now. Ask the Holy Spirit to grow us more in these ways. Maybe encourage each other to pray about areas we need more “freedom” in areas we are struggling with.