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WEEK 2 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

February 16, 2025

Practicing the Way – Part 2

Introduction:

This series is meant to reshape how we live as followers of Jesus. Becoming an apprentice of Jesus requires we actively work to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and carry out His Kingdom vision for the world. We want to follow in His steps so closely that we become covered in the dust of our Rabbi.

Bottom Line: If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.

Something To Talk About:

We have room to grow as none of us have Christianity down pat. The true disciple of Jesus is moving in this direction, becoming more like Him. The Spirit within to live just like Jesus. The Apostle Paul told his young disciple Timothy, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4.15 ESV).

  1. If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus: That means developing the character and competencies of Jesus in our own life. Remember, a disciple follows a master to become like him. In other words, becoming more like Him. When Jesus called His disciples to “follow Him,” He spent the next several years training them to be like Him and to carry on His work. For this to happen, they needed to master specific competencies to do the job.  For instance, Jesus trained His disciples in God’s Word. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus quoted the Scriptures over 70 different times. He quoted Scripture when He was tempted. He quoted Scripture when He was confronting the Pharisees. He quoted Scripture as He taught. Jesus also trained His men how to pray. He often retreated by Himself. Sometimes, He would pray all night long before big decisions.  Jesus also trained His disciples how to communicate the Gospel and to invest their lives in others. Today, we need to carve out time for prayer and God’s Word, and build relationships with people far from God.
  2. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide: 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 says, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So, all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”   Notice how what the Holy Spirit enables us is not just knowing about Jesus but beholding or seeing Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us become like Jesus. To become like Jesus, we only need to encounter Him and experience Jesus as He is. The Spirit helps us understand the reasons behind the hard work of transformation going on in our lives. The Spirit keeps us living in union, in abiding love, with Jesus.


Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the Holy Spirit actively work in your life to shape you into Christ’s likeness?
  2. What specific aspects of Jesus’ character do you feel the Holy Spirit is currently highlighting for you to develop further?
  3. How can you intentionally cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work to become more like Jesus daily?
  4. What are some practical ways to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your decision-making and actions?
  5. What challenges do you face in allowing the Holy Spirit to mold you into Christ’s image?
  6. How can you actively use the Bible to seek the Holy Spirit’s influence in your life?
  7. What’s one spiritual discipline (Bible reading, prayer, fasting, service, evangelism, etc.) you’d like to grow in this year? 
  8. Before this past Sunday, what were some things you had been taught about the Holy Spirit?
  9. 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?
  10. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful, or difficult to understand from this sermon?
  11. In what specific area of your life are you desperate for a movement of the Holy Spirit right now?

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 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.