The Big Idea: Spiritual gifts help Christians grow and love others.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Spiritual gifts are a real-world expression of God’s grace to you.

Charismata

List of Gifts:
Prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, mercy, message of wisdom, message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, discernment, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, apostles, teachers, helping, guidance, evangelists, pastors, and hospitality.

The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to us all.
Romans 12:6
Joel 2:28-29

We experience the gifts that God has for us, here and now.

Spiritual gifts strengthen the church and help us love others.

Spiritual gifts help us tell others about Jesus.

Response:
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Spiritual gifts help Christians grow and love others.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY
► This week's Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?


► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words


► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Matthew 11:28-30

The Big Idea: God speaks, and we can learn to listen and follow.

John 10:27-30

God Speaks
We can learn to listen
Intimacy with God is the secret of life.

God Speaks: (and always has!)

Exodus 33:11-17
John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14

We Can Learn to Listen:

Hebrews 3:7-12
Hebrews 4:7-13

Should I stay or should I go? Is God speaking, Yes or No?:
•Does it move me closer to full dependence upon Jesus?
•Will this help me love my neighbors more?
•Go first to the verse. Go next to the voice.

Intimacy With God is the Secret of Life:

Revelation 3:20

RESPONSE:
•What is God saying to me?
•Who in my Oikos can I assist in hearing God for themselves?

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY
► This week's Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?


► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words


► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

The Big Idea: The Holy Spirit Connects us to one another as much as He connects us to Himself

Acts 2:42-47
1 Peter 2:4-5; 9-10

Devoted: “Connected closely and continuously.”

The People of God are Devoted to Four Things:

1. The Word of God

There are lots of perspectives, and we appreciate them all. AND we concern ourselves with submitting to only this one.

2. Fellowship with other disciples of Jesus

“The same close connection with one another that we have with Jesus “

3. Communion

4. Prayer

We are living stones being built into a spiritual house offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

The Lord added to their number daily.

RESPONSE:
• I will seek the Holy Spirit so that He can connect me to Jesus and others
• I will join a DBS to practice the four devotions:
1. The Word of God

2. Fellowship with other disciples of Jesus

3. Communion

4. Prayer

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY
► This week's Passage: Romans 12:3-8

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?


► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words


► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

The Big Idea :God does not want a bunch of burned-out, stressed-out, overloaded, worn-out, children representing Him in the world. He wants us to flourish day by day, hour by hour for ourselves and for our Oikos.

John 14:16-17, 26
John 15:26
John 16:7-8, 13-14
Acts 1:8

The Spirit Gives us Power

Ephesians 3:14-21

Power to be:
• Anchored in Christ at the soul level
• Rooted in the jaw-dropping love of Christ
• Completely and confidently fearless

“Mark it down. The Holy Spirit comes with power. Power to make good choices, keep promises, and silence the inner voices of fear and failure. Power to get out of bed, get on with life, get busy about the right things in the right way. Power to face the unexpected, unwanted passages of time. Power. This is what Jesus promised then, and this is what Jesus promises still.”
- Max Lucado

The Spirit Enables Us to be a Witness

Hebrews 12:1-3
Hebrews 11:32-40

The Holy Spirit Equips Us for Mission

John 20:21-23
Ephesians 5:15-20

RESPONSE:
• I will receive Power to flourish day by day with God
• I will partner with God for my Oikos
• I will join a DBS for October

Discovery Bible Study:
• This week's passage: Acts 1:1-10

• Connection Questions:
1. What are you thankful for?
2. What is a challenge you are facing?
3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

• Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

• Offers individual answers to Five Questions:
1. What stands out to you?
2. What does this passage tell us about people?
3. What does this passage tell us about God?
4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)
5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

The Big Idea: One of the great secrets of life is to simply get in on what God is already doing.

Acts 2:1-21

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
1. The continuation of GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN.
2. The GLOBAL CALL TO UNITY.
3. The INAUGURATION OF A NEW KINGDOM.

RESPONSE:
● Get in on what God is already doing!
● Notice the Spirit at work in you!
● Join the mission forward!

Discovery Bible Study:
• Connection Questions:
1. What are you thankful for?
2. What is a challenge you are facing?
3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

• Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

• Offers individual answers to Five Questions:
1. What stands out to you?
2. What does this passage tell us about people?
3. What does this passage tell us about God?
4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)
5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

The Big Idea: The Holy Spirit wants to empower you every day to be a Jesus person.
Acts 1:1-11

The Problem
The Solution
The Game Plan

The Problem:
We keep asking the wrong question. (V6)

The Solution:
You will receive power through the Holy Spirit. (v8)

The Game Plan:
You will be my witnesses. (v8)

The most effective work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the power of MARTYRDOM.

The Holy Spirit wants to EMPOWER you every day to be a Jesus person.

RESPONSE:
• What is God asking you to do?
• What will happen if you obey?

9am Gathering
Romans 8:1-8

10:45 Gathering
Galatians 5:16-25

Response:
● What is God saying to you?
● What will happen if you obey?
● Will you consider a DBS for the 5 weeks of October?
---------------------------------------------------------
The Components That Make a DBS:
• Connection Questions:
1. What are you thankful for?
2. What is a challenge you are facing?
3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

• Read together a short passage of Scripture (4-10 vss) that addresses the topic

• Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

• The group then offers individual answers to Five Questions:
1. What stands out to you?
2. What does this passage tell us about people?
3. What does this passage tell us about God?
4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)
5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

The Big Idea: The presence of God brings peace to our troubled lives.

John 14:15-27

Key Ideas:
1. Presence of the Trinity
2. Power to Love and Obey
3. Peace Within Our Hearts

Response:
● I will trust the Holy Spirit to give me peace in ___________.
● Who do you need to extend or offer peace to this week?

The Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise to DWELL in and among His people.

God’s PRESENCE is the bookends of the Bible and the answer to how we live in the middle.

John 14:15-27
John 16:6-15

RUWACH /roo’-akh/ - wind; breath, a violent exhalation; blast of breath.
PNEUMA /pnyoo’-mah/- a current of air, blast of breath, a strong breeze; or spirit.
John 14:16-17

COUNSELOR: parakletos /par-ak’-lay-tos/; an intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter, helper.

WHY ARE MANY LIVING A SPIRIT-LESS LIFE?
• Some AREN’T AWARE of the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:1-3

• Some RESIST the Holy Spirit
Acts 7:51

THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL:

• COMFORT you.
John 14:16 KJV

• COUNSEL you.
John 16:13
Isaiah 30:21

• CONVICT you.
John 16:8-11

The Holy Spirit’s Three Focused Topics:
1. Sin:
Colossians 2:13-15

2. Righteousness:
Righteousness: /dikaiosýnē / “divine approval” - refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination), what is approved in His eyes.

3. Judgment: the devil now stands condemned and we have no condemnation.
Galatians 3:1-3

RESPONSE:
• Welcome the Holy Spirit into your life.
○ “I bow my knees to declare that I am a servant of the Most High God. I lift
my hands and pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me this day that I might
glorify Jesus.”

• Seek His comfort, counsel, and conviction.
• BLESS your Oikos through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Big idea: Baptism is a call to act in faith & obedience for ALL believers.

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
Romans 6:1-11

baptizō (77 times in NT) - to immerse, to submerge

Children of God
Galatians 3:23-29

So why baptism?

Great commission
Mathew 28:19

Model the life and example of Jesus
Matthew 3:14-15

Question: Why was Jesus baptized?
•He wanted to identify Himself with humanity: Fully God & fully man.
•He was worthy to be treated differently, but humbled himself.

Philippians 2:5-11

•To fulfill all righteousness in Him.

Righteousness (/dikaiosýnē “divine approval”) - refers to what is deemed right by the Lord
(after His examination), what is approved in His eyes.

Response: Respond in obedience to the prompting of the Spirit.
Mark 1:9-11
Luke 12:8