Element Christian Church
John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
What is your understanding of the Holy Spirit?
What comes to mind when you hear “being filled with the Holy Spirit?”
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
John 16:13 ESV
1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV
Ephesians 5:15-20 ESV
Job 1:22 ESV
Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV
Colossians 3:16 ESV
John 16:22 ESV
DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS:
The Holy Spirit, because He is a person, guides us into truth and authenticity in how we live our lives. The truth Jesus refers to in John 16:13 is the ultimate truth of the Gospel, but it is also the authenticity that is meant to mark our lives. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. This has the idea that we are not to try to stop what God’s Spirit is trying to do in us.
Do you tend to prefer appearances over “real” and “true” substance in life?
What is an example where you focus on/prefer appearances over substance?
In what ways do you struggle with being inauthentic?
How do you respond when you feel like your integrity is questioned?
Eph. 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Describe how you understand this verse?
The implication is that unless we are filled with the Spirit, we can’t do certain things correctly or live in authentic reality in most areas.
• The word drunk that’s used here means soaked, it means to be dominated by.
• The words reckless indiscretion literally means to be spilled.
Being filled with the Spirit is the opposite of reckless. Reckless is about a wasted life, the life of being Spirit-filled means a life of self-control, and refinement.
How is being filled with the Holy Spirit like being drunk and excess?
How is being filled with the Holy Spirit not like being drunk and excess?
How does the Spirit bring a life of control, balance, discipline and refinement?
Have you experienced this?
Being Spirit-filled is a life of stimulation. “Don’t get drunk…be filled with the Spirit,” means that the Spirit of God gives us meaning, courage, the ability to be vulnerable, not by diminishing our vision, but by expanding it.
In the past or currently, what are some of the reasons you might turn to substances in excess to get something out of them (could be alcohol, food, shopping)?
Do you exclusively equate emotional experiences with the Holy Spirit?
How can you trust God’s word and the Spirit’s leading over emotions?
What do you find yourself most dominated by?
A Spirit-filled life is one of joy. Be filled is what is called a “present progressive”… it means it CONTNUES. It’s impervious because it’s based on who you are in Christ…the Gospel. The Spirit stimulates us to remember the facts of who we are in Christ. The Spirit is NOT an emotional high, He brings an unrelenting steady joy, day in and day out. The joy is not based on what’s happening to us, but who we are in Christ.
What priorities might the Spirit be giving you?
How can living a Spirit filled life bring a life of stimulation?
Has the Spirit ever shown you the bigger parts of reality, namely, God’s glory and the Gospel?
How can a Spirit-filled life be one of Joy?