Living in the Presence of God!
LifeGroup Notes
Part of The Hope of Christ—Encourgement from the Upper Room
June 23, 2024

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LifeGroup Notes

BIG IDEA
The Holy Spirit was central to the life of the church. In fact, everything that happens from the beginning of Acts to the end of Revelation is a result of the Holy Spirit’s work. The Holy Spirit came alongside the disciples, indwelt them, and gave them the push they needed to face the challenges ahead. He wants to do the same for us. The Holy Spirit entered our lives when we confessed our faith in Christ. From that point forward, we had access to the very power and personality of God! As the Holy Spirit has his way in our lives, a transformation occurs. We begin to think like God thinks, love like God loves, and see like God sees. We can minister in power and pray in power and walk in power. The Holy Spirit promises to baptize us in power, just as he did for the believers in the early church. We just need to be open to his promptings and be willing to move in step where he leads. This week, we will be studying God’s promise in Word that He will give us power through the Holy Spirit within us.

Passages we’ll review:
1 Corinthians 12:4-14; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24; Ezekiel 37:11-14

OPENING
What stood out to you from the message this week? What led you to really think? Did anything challenge you? Have you ever had to share something that you really loved, something that had immense value to you?

What is the greatest gift you have ever been given? Why was it special to you?

READ

Material has been adapted from Unshakable Hope Study Guide by Max Lucado.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-14

According to this passage, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in the work of the church?

What are the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to you? How is He empowering you for ministry inside the church? How is He empowering you for ministry outside the church?

Why do you think God gives people different gifts? Ultimately, why has God given His people gifts?

Read Romans 8:26-27

What is your main hindrance to prayer? How can you overcome it?

What do you think it means to pray in the way described in this passage? How could you begin to make this your regular practice of prayer?

If God knows our needs and the Spirit is praying for us, why do we need to pray?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24

What are some ways you can quench the Holy Spirit in your life?

How do you think you can learn to live more by the leading of the Holy Spirit?

Read Hebrews 5:7-10 and Hebrews 10:19-23

How do these passages remove any barriers to approach God with your struggles and increase your confidence that He will hear your prayers?

What are some practical ways we can abstain from every form of evil and stay true to our faith?

DIGGING DEEPER

Read Ezekiel 37:11-14

Once again, we find God’s people in captivity. But once again, we see God’s promise to restore their land and renew their lives. God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley full of dry bones, the bodies of people who had been dead for many years. God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to them, and as he did, they came together and were filled by breath from the Lord, standing as a vast army. As God explained this prophecy to Ezekiel, He revealed their source of life, His Spirit. Just as in His vision to Ezekiel, we have this same Spirit breathing life into us. —Editor’s Note

How do we crowd out the Holy Spirit from our lives and feel like Ezekiel 37:11 describes us?

We find that the most significant part of the revival of the “dry bones” was when God breathed His Spirit into those dry bones. We can feel like those dry bones at times. Describe how important it is for us to be filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit?

Why do we find waiting on the Lord so difficult?

To whom does God want to give renewed strength? Why does He want to do this?

Just as God promised to restore His people, He can also restore life to us, no matter how dry or dead we may feel. Our hope and prayer in times of despair should be for His Spirit to renew us and bring us back to life! He is our only Hope! —Editor’s Note

LET’S PRAY

Consider the following as you pray together:

  1. Write down some things that tend to distract you from following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Recognize the sources of those distractions. Reflect on practical ways to change your rhythms and routines to allow for greater work of the Holy Spirit.

  2. If God withdrew His Holy Spirit for a week, would you notice? Where do you need to see the power in God’s Promise working more clearly?

  3. Think about those in your sphere of influence who may not be experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. As the Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, He is also telling us to prophesy to those around us who are spiritually dead - to lovingly share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Are you equipped, ready, and willing to see others restored to life? If not, what needs to happen?