We’re looking for Life Groups to help us put on the biggest party of the year for our community on Friday, Oct 30th. From manning the rides, serving up food to helping in the reptile petting zoo, there are plenty of ways for your group to jump in! Contact our special events team to learn more.
Lean In // 5 minutes
What’s something you used to be afraid of? How did you overcome it?
Leader Note: Transition you group by saying something like… “it’s amazing how many of our fears feed off the power of our thinking and imagination. Fears become the strongest when we believe that the worst possible outcome of any given situation is the more than likely outcome!” Let’s see what our passage says about that kind of power.
Look Down // 10 minutes
What do you learn about life in the spirit? What about life in the flesh?
Sample answers may include…
Life in the Spirit
– Life in the Spirit removes guilt and condemnation
– There’s power in the Life of Spirit
– The power of the Spirit frees us from the power of sin and death
– A spirit filled life causes us to think about things that please the spirit, that bring life/peace and not death
– Without the Spirit we can not please God
– We have the Spirit living in us, he controls us
– The Spirit gives life and makes us right with God
– The power of the spirit in us is the same that raised Christ to life
Life in the Flesh
– It is weak, is drawn to sin
– It thinks about sinful things
– Allow it to control out lives and our thoughts led to death
– It stands directly against ways of God
– It never obeys God’s standards and can never please God
– We do not have to do what it wants us to do
Leader Note: Point your group back to verse 5… “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” This passage and verse highlight the fact the we are given a choice to think powerless thoughts of the flesh or power-filled thoughts which come from and please the Spirit.
Paul is talking about something greater than “positive thinking” to change ourselves. Positive thinking tells us that we can create what we want through our thinking. Paul is saying that power is not simply in our thoughts but in the source of those thoughts. Are we living out the Spirit and allowing him to transform our thoughts and our lives or are we living out the powerlessness of the Flesh?
Powerless flesh guided thoughts will be…
Defensive, judgmental, blaming, fear based, stressed, angry, self loathing and depressed.
Powerful Life in the Spirit thoughts will be…
Grateful, wise, resourceful, full of hope, confident, compassionate, patient and joy-filled.
Look Out // 10 minutes
Where do you see things overwhelming peoople’s lives?
Why do they feel overwhelmed?
Leader Note: Invite stories from your group here. Have them talk through what they see in those situations. What’s the powerless thinking that’s associated with them?
Look In // 20 minutes
Where do you experience powerlessness?
What would it look like to embrace the power of the Spirit over those things?
Leader Note: Another way to ask these questions could be to say… “what are things in your life that seem like they will never change, what’s the hope in this passage for you?” Challenge your group to consider where they (and you!) are living… in the way of the old self which is powerless, or in the Life of the Spirit which is full of power
Live It Out // 5 minutes
How would others be impact if you lived this way?
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Looking to Join a Life Group? Check out our online group directory to get in touch with leader today.
Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.