Sometimes, we fall into thinking that all believers live an empowered life, hearing from God every day on every issue. We can become discouraged when this is not our experience. In reality, we are now the equivalent of the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant. The Holy Spirit does reside in us. Could it be that we are not positioning ourselves to experience God fully?
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. Have you ever really thought you understood the project, but you were missing one piece of the puzzle? Read 2 Peter 1:4. What is “the divine nature”? Do you feel like “a partaker of the divine nature”? Is your spiritual experience daily hearing from and walking with the Spirit? Or do you feel disappointed or like a “less than” believer, unaware of God’s work in your life?
Leader Note: Peter is speaking to the church, not the leaders. All of them—all of us—may share in the nature of God, His presence by the Spirit. This is not a “namaste” thing to “the god within” others. This is the very presence of the one true God. Even though we are human, sinful, and weak.
2. Strive for virtue. Read 2 Peter 1:5. What hope do you find in the phrase “make every effort”? How does this leave room for grace? What typical excuse does this phrase negate? Why does God ask us to position ourselves by growing in virtue? What simple definition of virtue was given?
Leader Note: “Make every effort” implies that God knows we will not always succeed. He knows we will fail, but He wants us to try to do things His way (virtue). The “I’ll never be perfect” excuse is blown to pieces by the grace of God, for He does not expect perfection. He expects us to have hearts like children that want to follow Him. Your value to God is NOT based on your results; neither is your salvation. If you seek Him and try to find Him, you will experience Him.
3. Strive for knowledge. Even the best intentions are not always enough. Even a heart that wants to follow God is not enough. What is the best way to grow in your personal knowledge of God? In what area do you need to grow in actual knowledge? If you want to hear from God, will you commit to seeking Him this week?
Leader Note: Knowing a few facts about God or some Bible stories is not enough to experience the full power, majesty, and will of God. You must spend time with Him learning, reading, hearing the Word, and listening for His Spirit to whisper to your soul/mind. A daily Quiet Time is The Cove’s strategy, in conjunction with the weekend messages, for growing in knowledge and understanding of God.
4. Strive for self-control. Read 2 Peter 1:6. What would it mean for you to “make every effort to supplement your faith...with self-control"? How is “trying harder” different than “positioning better”? What three steps were given to put us in a better position to exercise self-control?
Leader Note: The repeat failures of our lives all have to do with self- control. To position ourselves better: 1) Change the voices we listen to (friends, music, media, self-talk). 2) Change the location (the party, the apartment alone, etc.). 3) Change my strategy. Do what YOU can! Utilize The Cove’s support groups; there are many resources. We will experience the Holy Spirit as we go through temptations while making every effort to self-control. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
5. Strive for worship and love. Read 2 Peter 1:7-8. How are these characteristics or attitudes a choice? Why does love trump all? What is the result of “striving” for these things?
Leader Note: Positioning yourself – from virtue to love – is a choice. Love trumps all: if you don’t have love, none of the rest matters (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). This is NOT a theology of trying to earn God’s favor. This is a choice to live in sync with the Spirit and following God’s will. This positions us to experience God.
6. This Week: Commit to a daily self-evaluation and prayer. “At the end of the day, based on the choices I made today, who did I live for: God or myself?” Pray: “Jesus, I want to want to follow You. Help me. Amen.”
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.
7. Read Galatians 5:16-18, 25, Romans 8:4, and John 15:4-5. How do these verses describe walking in the Spirit? What is the relationship of the Law and righteousness (“right living) with experiencing the Spirit? What is your personal next step?
Leader’s Note: Walking by the Spirit is living a life in the Spirit. It's living your life in the continual presence and leading of the Spirit of God. Abiding in Jesus and walking in the Spirit are one and the same. If we abide in Jesus, the Spirit is working within us. So, as we abide in Jesus Christ, we abide in that Vine, just as a branch abides in the vine, the Holy Spirit is living in us and working through us. We will intentionally choose to put aside the things of the flesh and “strive” for the things of the Spirit.
When we do that, we will produce fruit in our lives (see Galatians 5:22-23). But John 15:6 says, "If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” Walking in the Spirit is a continual consciousness of God. It's having Christ foremost in all our affections. It's pursuing God with all our hearts, as we're commanded to do in the Great Commandment. It's to remove all other idols from before God and have no other gods except Him. It is to serve God alone.
8. Read John 14:16-17, Acts 4:31, and Ephesians 5:18. Thank God in prayer for the Holy Spirit. Seek to develop a deeper relationship with the Spirit by spending more time in prayer, in His Word, and listening for His voice. Invite Him to fill you. Prayerfully surrender to His leadership.
9. Read John 16:13. Pray about any situations in which you need guidance from God. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s counsel. Develop the habit of approaching the Word of God by first asking the Spirit to teach you. Do the same for any philosophies or attitudes that our worldview impresses on you. Pray for discernment.
10. Read John 16:7-8. Confess in prayer any sin that is in your life. Let the Holy Spirit convict you and change you from the inside out.