Now that we know Who the Spirit is, how do we interact with Him? How do we sense His leading or redirection? Let’s discuss how we can distinguish His voice from our “gut feelings” and human desires.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are participating in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. We have the choice to listen to the right voice. Tell of a time when you heard two voices, but you listened to the wrong advice. Keep it humorous (though it might not have been funny at the time)!
Leader Note: Remind your group that there USUALLY is someone giving good advice, even while others are offering foolish suggestions.
2. The voice of the Holy Spirit convicts. Read John 16:7-9. What “job” of the Holy Spirit is found in this passage? What words would you use to describe conviction in your life? What feeling is not conviction? Read Romans 8:1. Have you felt or sensed this conviction in the last week? Month?
Leader Note: Verse 8 says the Spirit will convict the world. He will help us see difficult things, challenge us to change: to swallow our pride, lay down our phones, give an apology and pursue peace. He will direct us to repent, make a phone call, or stop ghosting someone. Conviction is NOT shame or condemnation. The Spirit convicts; Satan condemns. In Christ, there is grace, forgiveness, and restoration, not shame.
3. The voice of the Holy Spirit redirects. After conviction, what should be the next action? Do you typically assume you are right? That you can “find your own way”? That you know best? Or are you good at listening to the advice (even constructive criticism) of others? How about listening to the Spirit: do you ignore or listen for His direction? Read Galatians 5:16-17. Do you recognize these two forces? Are you maturing and improving in your ability to let the Spirit guide you? Share an example.
Leader Note: When the Holy Spirit convicts, He shows an alternate action or attitude. He directs us to see our sin and repent. Repentance means to turn around; it means to redirect to another way of doing, thinking, or being. The Holy Spirit's guidance can always be backed up by the Word of God. He will not lead us in a direction that goes against God's teachings.
We all battle with listening to His leading or the desires of our flesh. We all have a sin nature and hard hearts. As we mature in our faith and in hearing the voice of the Spirit, our hearts become more attuned and more willing to follow the Spirit and change.
4. Read Galatians 5:22-23. This fruit is evidence and proof of your redirection. Why is it important that it is singular fruit, not “fruits”? Do you tend to pick a flavor and stick to that characteristic? Do you struggle with one? Overall, are you growing in evidence that you are growing more like Jesus? Are you willing to pray and ask God, “What fruit of the Spirit am I missing and are You convicting me of lacking? I am not going to justify this any longer.”
Leader’s Note: The message made clear that we cannot pick and choose to excel in just one fruit (say faithfulness, because you “always keep your promises!”). We cannot refuse to allow God to convict us and redirect us to have self-control, empowered by His Spirit.
5. The voice of the Holy Spirit brings clarity and clarity brings freedom. Read John 16:13 and 2 Corinthians 3:17. How does having truth and clarity about the future benefit you? What voices must you deny and ignore to hear God’s voice? What are the benefits of choosing to believe what the Spirit says?
Leader’s Note: Knowing God’s perspective of the future and your eternity gives you peace. He does know. He is in control. Sometimes we need to stop listening to certain voices—friends, Tik Tok, news outlets, celebrities—to hear the Spirit clearly. When we do, we can change our lives and our world. Our relationships are better, and we experience God’s peace.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
We can individually hear and know the Spirit in this age of the New Covenant, after Jesus ascended. To realize what a privilege this is, we need to remember that before Jesus returned and the Spirit was poured out, God only placed His Spirit on one leader at a time, to guide or rescue the nation of Israel. Let’s look at the roles of the Spirit and celebrate that He performs all these functions in our lives today.
6. Genesis 1:1-2, Psalm 140:30, Job 33:4: LN: The Spirit is involved in creating and sustaining life.
7. Isaiah 59:21, 2 Samuel 23:2, Nehemiah 9:20, 30, Psalm 143:10: LN: the Spirt speaks God’s words; He taught and led.
8. Genesis 6:3, Psalm 51:11, 139:7, Micah 3:8: LN: The Spirit convicts of evil and encourages holiness and relationship with God.
9. Zechariah 4:6, Exodus 31:1-5, Judges 14:5-6; 15:14: LN: The Spirit empowers and gifts people to specific tasks, feats, or abilities.
10. Numbers 27:18-20, Judges 3:9-10: LN: The Spirit anointed INDIVIDUALS to lead and rescue the people. In the New Covenant, we are all in-dwelt by the Spirit.