Filled & Led (Part 7): Obeying the Holy Spirit
TO START
This Sunday, we jumped into part 7 of our Fall series focused on the new vision: “To be a Spirit-filled & Spirit-led church for those who don’t have a home yet”. Each week, we will journey with a part of the book of Acts as we unpack what it could mean (and not mean) for us to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led people. To start, unpack this prompt together:
Who is the most outspoken critic of Christianity that you know? What would it take for you to believe that they might believe the Gospel?
This week we are inviting your group to choose questions from the multiple options below. Our hope is that these questions might help you to lead your discussion in a way that makes sense for your group this week as y’all “talk it out” and “live it out”.
TALK IT OUT AFTER READING ACTS 9:10-19
STUDY
In the passage, Ananias is labeled as simply a “disciple” of Jesus. How does he embody what it means to be a disciple?
In verse 16, God says, “I will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for my name.” Why do you think God says this?
What does Ananias say or not say that surprises you?
PROCESS
Do you have someone like Ananias who has helped you in your spiritual journey, someone who followed the Spirit’s invitation to share their experience with Jesus with you?
Are there people in your world that you feel are beyond saving? How does this story either encourage or challenge you?
What (if anything) makes you hesitate in sharing the Gospel with someone?
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE
Ananias was both ready to receive a Word from God & was obedient to the Spirit. What are some practices you might adopt & what might you give up to make yourself more available to God?
If someone watched your life, would they know that you are a disciple? If you had to measure your willingness to risk your self-reliance or risk your reputation for Christ, what would you say?
PRAY
This week, we want to encourage your group to pray together by sharing which of the following categories when it comes to risking it for the Lord you struggle the most with: 1) Your Routine, 2) Your Reputation OR 3) Your Self-Reliance. Then close by praying, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come”