Group Discussion & Life Challenge
Use these notes as discussion prompts for your group, or in your personal time with God.
Connect:
Get to know each other. Connect, warm up to each other, fellowship.
Care:
Carry each other’s burdens. Share life’s challenges and practice Soul Care. Pray together.
Challenge:
Dive into God’s Word. Use these discussion questions. Learn from each other’s insight.
- Is there a moment this week where you experienced either battle, did you experience doubts? Or a hardened heart? Cynicism? Did you encounter someone else with either?
- Take a moment to to discuss as a group how Chapter 16 of John is a helpful guide to understanding the Holy Spirit, what are the descriptions that you find helpful as you consider the work of the Holy Spirit?
- Bryce described “Blaspheming” the Holy Spirit as rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit, rejecting what God wanted to do in our lives. Write down as a group activity How would your group describe Blaspheming the Holy Spirit to someone who was new to following Jesus, specifically helping them with why it is not forgivable? What other scripture would you turn to for clarity on this topic?
- Here are a few questions to get you going into an important conversation for us to have. How is it possible for Christians to possibly arrive at this place of hardening of heart and rejecting God? What have you witnessed either in yourself or others? Have you heard or seen Christians describe their lives with little to no conviction of Sin? Or a life of purity?
- Share with the group how this conversation that Jesus had with the Pharisees in Chapter 12 is challenging your faith, and if possible, share one thing that is changing or you need help/prayer for this week.
Clarify:
Does anyone need clarity on something? Are there any big God questions you are wrestling with?
Celebrate:
Celebrate life’s successes and God’s provision. Worship God’s presence. Time to brag about God.
BibleApp
Through the Bible in one Year
Join us in reading through the entire Bible in one year. Each day of this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Readings average four chapters in length, so it is posible to do. When you use the YouVersion Bible App, you can even have the app read the Bible text to you – very useful when you are in the car or otherwise occupied with your hand.
All you need to do is click the link to the Bible Plan, which should lead you straight to the Bible app. Your two options are now (1) to read the plan on your own, one day at the time. Or (2) you can make it more fun and rewarding, by sharing the plan with one or more friends, and then even “Talk about it”.