LifeGroup Notes

BIG IDEA
“Have I got a job for you…!” How many times have you heard that phrase? When you hear someone say that to you, what is your reaction? Do you react with excitement, anticipation, dread? While it is true that, at times, this can indicate a great opportunity to do what you really enjoy or are good at, more often than not, it indicates a project or task that no one else wanted to take on!

As followers of Christ, God has told us that same thing, but we shouldn’t view that with dread or dismay! God doesn’t call us to a task without also equipping us to do what He has called us to do. He has given us His Spirit in order that we can become the people He has called us to be! This week, we will look at how the Spirit helps to open our hearts and minds to God’s truth and guides us as we respond to His call.

Passages we’ll review:
Hebrews 10:15-16; Ezekiel 2

OPENING
If you could change one personality trait in yourself, what would it be and why?

What regular chore or activity do you most dislike? Why?

What is one thing that you would buy at a very high price if paying that price meant that you never had to pay for it again? Explain your reasoning.

READ

Read Hebrews 10:15-16

For centuries, the people of Israel had been living by the laws set before them during the time of Moses. But as a result of what Jesus had done, there was now a new covenant that God had given to His people. —Editor’s Note

How did the shortcomings of the old covenant contrast with the blessings of the new covenant?

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this covenant? How does He put God’s laws in your heart and write them on your mind?

How did this new covenant change the way God motivates His people to live for Him?

Because of His sacrifice, we no longer have to go before a high priest in order to confess our sins. Jesus is our Great High Priest, and we can go directly to Him with anything. How should this direct access to God through Jesus Himself shape our approach to Him?

DIGGING DEEPER

The book of Ezekiel begins with God appearing to him in order to call him to be His prophet to His people taken captive in Babylon. At the end of chapter 1, Ezekiel realized that he had seen the likeness of the glory of the Lord, and in response, he fell to the ground on his face, out of reverence and respect for God. —Editor’s Note

Read Ezekiel 2

Did Ezekiel stand to his feet in his own strength? What did it require?

Why would God totally overwhelm Ezekiel to get Him to be His prophet?

What mission did God assign to the prophet Ezekiel according to this passage?

Ezekiel was called to be an ambassador for God, speaking on His behalf to the people of Israel. At the time, this seemed like an impossible task, as they were a rebellious people. Have you experienced a time when you felt called to an impossible task? How did you respond?

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian service today?

How would your perspective change on your interactions with others if you trusted that God’s Spirit was with you and able to do the things that you can’t?

LET’S PRAY

Consider the following as you pray together:

1. Do you believe that God has a calling that He gives to everyone? As you go through this week, pray that God will fill you with His Spirit to make you useful in His service.
   

2. Do not be afraid of what people can do to you. Rely on His Spirit to strengthen you and give you what you need to do His work.
   

3. Immerse yourself in His Word in order to allow His Spirit to reveal His truth to you. Then use those truths to share with others who need to experience His grace and mercy!
   

“We do not study the Word of God in order to ‘argue religion’ with people or to show off our grasp of spiritual things. We study the Word to see Jesus Christ, to know God better, to glorify Him in our lives. As we witness in this hostile world, the Spirit uses the Word He has taught us, and we share Jesus Christ with the lost. It is our job to witness; it is the Spirit’s job to convict.” (Warren Wiersbe) —Editor’s Note