WEEK 1 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

The one thing that will keep you from growing this year

Introduction:

Growth is a choice. Spiritual growth is not automatic. You must choose to grow. You must choose to do the habits. You must choose to make the effort. You make a choice. Where do you want to be in the next few months? Do you want to be more mature, or do you want to still be the way you are right now? It’s your choice. A year from today, some of you will be much better people, much stronger people, much more mature people, and others will be in the same position. So, what are you willing to do to grow?

Something To Talk About:

As you work on your spiritual growth, consider the following two points:

How does what has already happened in the past help you today? There’s not much we can do about the past. Each of us has regrets, and we can’t fix them. Paul tells us in Philippians 3 of his desire to grow in Christ and to know Him. Paul emphasizes the importance of leaving the past behind, focusing on the future, and actively pressing on towards becoming more Christ-like, viewing our spiritual journey as a race where we strive to reach the prize of eternal life with God, achieved through our unwavering pursuit of Christ. Paul readily admits that he has not arrived and has a way to go, and the only way to get there is to press forward toward the goal and prize set by God and not look back to the past. “… Forgetting the past…” (Philippians 3:13). 13). We can look at and learn from the past, but we can’t live in the past. We have to give our past to Jesus. Paul’s advice to us? Forget about it! Don’t dwell on the past. Don’t fix your mind on yesterday. Move ahead. Our relationship with God is active, not passive. We have to pursue God. To do that, we must look forward and press toward the goal of the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
How do I put to death the deeds of my sinful nature by the power of the Spirit so that it helps me to stop indulging my flesh? John 14:18 says, “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.” With Jesus’ impending departure, the disciples were naturally worried about being left alone. Who could blame them? But in Jesus’ great love and care for them, He promises to show up in a new way. This ushered in the new era of the Holy Spirit. This is one of the most encouraging verses in Scripture. Let it sink in: God did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves. He provided an amazing Helper in the person of the Holy Spirit who will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves—if we let Him. According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit actively helps believers overcome their sinful nature by providing guidance, strength, and desires that oppose the flesh, allowing them to live a life more aligned with God’s will; essentially acting as a force against the temptations and inclinations towards sin within us. The Bible describes a constant battle between our sinful nature and the Holy Spirit’s influence. When we yield to the Holy Spirit, positive characteristics like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are produced in our lives. The Holy Spirit also convicts us of sin, highlighting areas where we must repent and change. We need never be afraid again, lonely, hopeless, sorrowful, or helplessly inadequate, for the Helper is always with us. Our shortcomings in living the Christian life are often due to our inattention to the Holy Spirit’s leading and prompting. We spend so much time looking outside of ourselves for answers when God is at work on the inside of us. We will change from the inside out when we become more aware of His presence.

Discussion Questions:

What does having a bigger perspective on the past and the future look like? How is forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead the same act of faith?
Are you content with your spiritual growth? Where would you like it to be? What needs to change to get it where you want it to be?
What method of learning works best for you? How can you use that method to help you grow spiritually?
What’s one spiritual discipline (Bible reading, prayer, fasting, service, evangelism, etc.) you’d like to grow in this year?
Before this past Sunday, what were some things you had been taught about the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence on earth and God’s presence inside believers. Any experience we have had or will have with God on earth is through the Holy Spirit: Agree or disagree and why?
How would you describe the Holy Spirit’s practical work in your life? Where does he show up? How does he impact your daily rhythm?
How often do you pray for God to bring about spiritual growth in certain areas of your life, and are you willing to listen when He answers those prayers?
What is your level of commitment to spiritual growth?
With whom can you share the goal of spiritual growth and ask for accountability?
What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful, or difficult to understand from this sermon?

Take one thing home with you:

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us and through us. He hears, speaks, teaches, and guides us into truth. He glorifies Christ, reveals Christ to us, and brings all of Christ’s words to our remembrance. He shows us the things to come, knows the deep things of God, searches all things, and reveals all things. He inspired the writers of the Bible. He reveals the Son to us. We are convicted by Him, born again by Him, led by Him, filled by Him, and sealed by Him. Why would we not want a relationship with Him?

The truth is the Holy Spirit desires a relationship with us. Listen for what the Holy Spirit might say or reveal to you. If you will open your heart to the Holy Spirit over the next 28 days, you’ll see an increase in His presence and power in your life. He wants to do amazing things in and through you if you’ll let Him.