Study Questions for July 22, 2012

Study Questions for July 22, 2012

Sermon: “We Believe in the Holy Spirit”

by: Vermon Pierre

Series: What We Believe - Preaching through the Apostle's Creed

1.     In Acts 1:8, the Holy Spirit empowers believers for what task? ______________  What is the significance of this empowerment for the life of the Christian, both individually and collectively? For help, refer to John 15:26-27.

 

2.     2 Corinthians 3:18 connects the Spirit pointing us to the beauty of Christ with our sanctification. Read over this verse and explain what this process may look like; how does it “work”? Another way to ask this question is “in what way does our view of Christ tie into our sanctification” (and according to 2 Corinthians 3:18, what does the Holy Spirit have to do with it)?  Most important of all, is this happening in your life? Why?

3.     List a few things you see the Holy Spirit doing in John 16:12-15.
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Please discuss the application of these things – what are the practical effects and benefits of the Holy Spirit’s work as described in this passage?

4.     What is John 3:3-8 teaching us in regards to the Holy Spirit and regeneration? From this passage, discuss the role of the Spirit in producing new life and spiritual transformation in us.

Optional Exercise (allow 30-40 minutes):
Break up your group into units of 2-3 people and have them look over Galatians 5:16-26 in detail (this should take approx. 15-20 minutes). Pay special attention to the fruit of the Spirit. Come back together and share your findings (allow approx. 15-20 more minutes). Be sure to include some of these questions in your discussions:

-What does it mean to “walk in the Spirit”?
-What does is mean to say “we have crucified the flesh”?
-What are practical ways we can help each other do this in day to day life? Give real world examples please.
-Do we have a biblical definition of the fruit of the Spirit? For example, do we mean what the Bible means when we say “peace” or “joy” or “kindness”, etc? How do we begin to develop more biblical understandings of these concepts?

The Apostles’ Creed

 I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.