Filled & Led (Part 10): Plunging into God's Story
TO START
This Sunday, we jumped into the final part 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:
At what point in your life have you been most thankful for water OR most realized its ability to give life (a moment, an event, etc.)?
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 19:1-10
STUDY
Why do you believe Paul would ask the disciples if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed? Why was this relevant?
What do you perceive to be the difference between John’s baptism and being baptized in the name of Jesus?
How do you think Paul’s actions throughout this section of Scripture should influence and impact how we choose to live as disciples today?
PROCESS
Do you tend to lean towards learning or experience more as you grow in your walk with the Spirit?
If you’ve been baptized, what did that moment look like for you? If you haven’t been baptized, what have you found to be encouraging or discouraging about plugging into God’s story?
Why is both repenting of our old way and confessing Christ important in baptism?
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE
Has someone ever pointed out or affirmed a spiritual gift you have to bless others and/or witness to the world?
Where would you like more of God’s power in your life? What’s preventing you from accessing that power?
PRAY
We invite the group to consider silently which prompt connects the most with them: 1) a need to come back to the deep pools of knowing and learning to lean on God, 2) a need to ask the to sit at the feet of Jesus again OR 3) a need to simply enter the waters of baptism and plunge into God’s story. Then, close with a prayer over the thoughts and prayers of each person.