Life Groups // Fall 2020 // Week 2
Posted September 19, 2020 — Lincoln Berean
That You May Believe: How to Keep from Stumbling // John 16:1-15
Introduction
Welcome to week two of the Fall Session!
This week, we learned a lot about the Helper and the reasons why Jesus sent him. It’s our prayer that, in these murky times, you feel and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Through the application questions this week, look for ways you can live counter to the practices of this world!
We don’t provide a lot of space for your answers to these questions, so we suggest having a journal handy to write down your thoughts. You’re not expected to have time for all these questions during your online meeting, but we encourage you to reflect on them and jot down thoughts on your own.
Getting to Know Each Other (Suggested time: 30 min)
Begin your group time by learning more about each other. Open up and have some fun! Here are some suggestions to get your conversation started:
- What’s the farthest you have traveled to experience the people, places, or things you love (favorite band, vacation spot, artwork, sacred space, etc.)?
- If you have to make a significant decision, what family member or friend do you turn to for advice and wisdom?
Getting Started
Begin to transition into group discussion.
1) Hosts can pray to open the group or ask someone else to lead out. Here are a few potential prayer items:
a. For the Spirit of God to lead you in truth
b. For openness to what you’re learning together
c. For friendships to deepen and grow
2) Invite someone (or a couple of people) to read John 16:1-15 to the group.
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Study Questions (Suggested time: 40 min)
Please complete these questions prior to your group’s meeting time.
1) Did any part of Bryan’s sermon stand out or resonate with you? How so?
2) After seeing so many people flock to Jesus throughout His entire ministry, the thought of losing Him was devastating to the disciples. However, in verse 7, we learn the “Helper” will be more advantageous to the disciples than Jesus living with them.
Read Galatians 5:13-18. (Tip: You’ll return to this chapter in the next question, so keep this chapter bookmarked.)
a. Where or what do you turn to in your moments of fear, failure, confusion, and defeat? Can you think of a recent example that you would be willing to share with the group?
b. In these moments, if you turn to something other than the Holy Spirit, what keeps you from turning to Him?
3) Last week, we learned that the world loves its own. However, we were chosen out of the world, and we are hated for it. This is because people don’t want their rats exposed to the light, but in verses 8-11, Jesus says the Helper will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness.
Read Galatians 5:19-26.
a. In what ways (actions or beliefs) or places (environments or gatherings) do you find yourself falling more in step with the culture than the Spirit?
b. What are the reasons you find yourself doing that? (Fear of persecution, wanting to be liked, avoid conflict, lack of belief, etc.)
c. What would it look like in these moments to follow the Helper and not the current of the culture?
4) Even though we were called out of this world, liberated from the ways of our flesh, and provided the scriptures, it can still be hard to know the will of God. Everything seems so murky! Making decisions can be hard when the cultural narrative and the desires of our flesh are so loud. But in John 16:13-15, Jesus says the Spirit of truth will help bring clarity.
a. What would look different if the Holy Spirit suddenly left you?
b. What do you feel is missing in your relationship and dependence on the Spirit? What’s one thing you can do this week to become more dependent on the Spirit?
PRO TIP: If you would like to learn more about opportunities to witness or participate in God’s kingdom in Lincoln and around the world, contact outreach@lincolnberean.org or checkout this Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lincolnbereanlocal
Group Prayer (Suggested time: 10 min)
Take a few moments to prepare a prayer request.
A significant part of relying on the Spirit is following His leading even when it is scary or uncomfortable. Praying with a group of people may be a new experience for you, or it may be familiar. Try trusting the Spirit if he is leading you to share. Either way, whether you feel led to verbalize your prayer or not, you can pray for both yourself and your group throughout the week.