Introduction
Kick of the discussion with prayer followed by this week’s reading and discussion questions
You can use the kick off prayer below (or do your own), and give time for others to pray into the night together.
Example kick off prayer: Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.
Passage: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Discussion
- Christ is all, and in all, who place their faith in him. Christ has chosen to place his spirit within you. How does that shape how you view yourself and others in the church?
- How does that shape how you view your struggles and the struggles of others?
- Do you have a story where God convicted you about putting something to death? How did that conviction come about and what was the outcome?
- The new self is being renewed in knowledge. Is there anything that God is seeking to put to death in you now?
- As you pray together seek for revelation into God's desire for you sanctification
Share with one another and pray for one another. Pray for God to speak into your direct questions and circumstance. Ask the Holy Spirit for a gift, such as a word or image, that can be used to build up someone in your group.
If any questions arose, which you would like to follow up on, please reach out to one of the elders. In person, via phone or Ask a Pastor.
Habit of Grace
Habit of Grace: Generosity
Has anyone every been generous to you?
Tell the story and how it impacted you physically, emotionally, reltaionally, or even spiritually.
Practice
When you pray together, pray that the Holy Spirit highlight someone to you. Whoever comes to mind seek for a way to be generous to them this week. It could be through a meal, a gift, money, babysitting, household chores, providing work, housing, etc.
Discuss, pray and encourage one another.