Jesus 120

Like a farmer, the Holy Spirit wants to cultivate a relationship with us, but in order for things to grow, the conditions must be right. To be the good soil that He calls us to be, we must be willing to slow down, seek relationship, let go of control and desires, and earnestly strive for relationship with Him. Are you willing to listen to what He is saying to you and let go of the control that you hold onto so tightly?

Review the three types of soil that the seeds are thrown on in the parable and what each means.

The path (Mark 4:4,15): too busy, distracted, maybe a hardened heart.

Warning: slow down and don’t miss what he is saying to you

The rocky ground (Mark 4:5-6, 16-17): following emotions rather than cultivating relationship

Warning: beware of emotional, quick responses to his word. Let your roots go deep. Seek relationship not results.

The thorns (Mark 4:7, 18-19): stress, anxiety, or cares of this world, control; deceitfulness of riches, lust: the desires for other things.

Warning: Don’t let the cares of your life, choke out the like of Jesus in you!

The good soil (Mark 4:8, 20) hear His word, accept it into your life, and it will produce fruit.

For the rest of your discussion this week:

1. Pray

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak

3. Read each parable

4. Listen to what the Lord is speaking to you and your group. You can use the provided discussion questions or just follow where the Lord is leading you and your conversation. Don’t feel like you have to use all the questions or in the order they are written, be open to where the Lord leads your discussion.

Read: Mark 4:21-25

1. What is the Spirit speaking to you in this parable?

2. What does the lamp represent?

3. What do you think Jesus is saying in this parable?

4. How does this parable make you feel? Why?

Read: Mark 4:26-29

1. What is the Spirit speaking to you in this parable?

2. What does the seed represent? Who is the man representing? What about the earth?

3. What do you think Jesus is saying in this parable?

4. How does this parable make you feel? Why?

Read: Mark 4:30-34

1. What is the Spirit speaking to you in this parable?

2. What does the mustard seed represent?

3. What do you think Jesus is saying in this parable?

4. How does this parable make you feel? Why?

In week 6 of Abide, we begin discussing how to cultivate a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Learning to hear his voice in our life is vital to knowing him and walking with him daily. Thankfully, we have several ways to grow acquainted with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s purpose to live with the expectation that God wants to speak with us, by positioning ourselves to listen and respond to him daily.

God has prepared wonderful things for those who love him, and our teacher, the Holy Spirit loves to reveals them to us. However, our reliance on the wisdom of men, and our own pride and arrogance, often keep us from being humble enough to learn from him. The Holy Spirit longs to teach us all that we need, if only we will move from immaturity and pride, toward maturity and humility so we can position ourselves as learners.

Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-5 & 14-17, Ezekiel 47:1-12

Life Group Questions:

1) Why should our faith rest in the power of God instead of the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 2:5)?

2) What is more common for you – listening to the wisdom of the world around you, or listening to God’s viewpoint on a subject? What obstacles make it difficult to know God’s wisdom instead of listening to the wisdom of the world?

3) How can we cultivate a heart and mind that is open to being taught by God, instead of trust our own intellect or the wisdom of men?

4) Read 1 Corinthians 2:13-14. What do you think Paul means when describing the spiritual man verses the natural man? How can we be “those who are spiritual”? (see: 1 Timothy 3:1-5)

5) What role does the Bible play in learning from the Holy Spirit? (see: 1 Timothy 3:14-17). How can the Holy Spirit help us learn from the Bible?

6) In Ezekiel 47 there is a description of moving further and further into a river – from ankle deep, to knee deep, to waist deep, to swimming. Where do you think you are right now in going after the things of God? What would it look like for you to take another step deeper? What might keep you from doing that?

7) In Ezekiel the River flows and begins to touch all kinds of things (Ezekiel 47:8-12). What are the results described in the passage? What do you thing that would like in your own life? Have you ever seen the results of surrendering to the Holy Spirit and learning from him?

8) What is something specific you think God might be asking you to do in response to this discussion? How could you do that this week?

Life sometimes become heavy and discouraging, and on our own, we can become cynical and forget the joy that comes from salvation, but the Holy Spirit is our comforter. He refreshes and restores us like water; he brings joy and celebration like wine, but we have to be wiling and open to accept His comfort, and let go of the chains that we sometimes hold as treasures.

Key verses: John 7:37-39, Joel 2:23-29, Isaiah 44:3-5, Acts 2:12-18, Matthew 9:14-17, Ephesians 5:18-21

1. In John 7:37-39, the scripture talks about the Feast, can you recall what the feast was celebrating? How does that knowledge make Jesus’ declaration of being water even more impactful?

2. What is the significance of the former and latter rain in Joel 2:23-29? What are some of the things that we see that the rain produces? Have you experienced any of these gifts? Why do you think some of these things make people feel a little nervous?

3. In Isaiah 44:3-5 the Lord promises to take care of the future generations. Do you have a hard time accepting this comfort about the future (without involving politics or anyone specific) why do you think that is? Do you think that God is not wise and powerful enough to handle that issue? How can you specifically pray for those issues and yourself to deal with them?

4. In Acts we learn about the Spirit as wine. Why did the people around them think they were drunk? We do not condone being drunk, but what are some of the things that would be desirable about intoxication as it relates to the Spirit?

5. Matthew 9:14-17 discusses the new and old wine skins; how can you keep yourself in that “new wineskin” mentality? Why is that important? What are somethings that can dry us out spiritually?

6. What are some different ways that you try to incorporate worship into your daily life outside of communal worship? If you don’t, what are somethings you might want to try?

7. Why is it important to be a part of a community that celebrates the joy of the Lord?

Learning to abide in Jesus requires help, and lots of it. That’s why Jesus promised to send us a Helper – his Holy Spirit. In today’s message, we reflect on two key ways the Holy Spirit help us, with power to change and grow, and power to make an impact in the lives around us.

Lifegroup Questions:

How does it change your perspective of the Holy Spirit when you think of the chaff as part of yourself and not as the people you disagree with?

Are you willing to allow the fire to refine your life? How can you open yourself to that refining process?

Can you think of a time or situation where you are looking outwardly for change, but maybe you could be asking and looking inwardly for change?

How do we get the power from the Holy Spirit?

What did the holy spirit allow Jesus to do?

What is the importance of who David is and where Samuel found him? How does this translate to who the Spirit can use?

“You don’t have to be qualified, but what you do you have to be is surrendered”, what does that statement mean to you? Do you think you really believe that? Even after murder and adultery, God wanted to use David. How does that impact your view of the spirit?

Can you think of a time in your life or someone you know when God called you to something and then gave you the power to do it even when you maybe thought you couldn’t?

Without connection, being a part of a family is just a title. The Holy Spirit is the connector that gives us identity, affirmation, and peace in God’s family. Surrendering to His power can seem scary, but He allows us to be a part of an adventure that is greater than we can imagine, and the assurance that we are safe in His hands.

Key verses: Matthew 3:16-17, Romans 8:1-2, 6, 14, 15-16, 28, 3, John 3:8

Lifegroup Discussion Questions:

In Matthew 3:16-17 how did the Holy Spirit bring identity, affirmation, and peace to Jesus?How do you think that impacted the other people who were there? How does the Holy Spirit bring identity, affirmation and peace to your life? Do you think that impacts others around you? How?

The Holy Spirit says that Jesus’ identity is God’s beloved Son. What do you think is your identity in Him? How does/should that impact your daily life?

Read Romans 8:15-16. What assurance do we have from the Holy Spirit? How does/should that influence our daily lives? What about the way we interact with others?

John 3:8 discusses the wind; how does the assurance that we have in the Spirit make this idea of following the wind seem less scary? How can it be exciting?

Do you agree with the statement that “all relationships are risky”? Why or why not? Is your relationship with the Holy Spirit risky? Why or why not?

Immediately following God’s declaration of who His son was in Matthew 3:16-17 the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Why do you think Jesus went willingly? What is the significance of the order of the events?

This week Pastor Jake starts a series on living in the presence and power of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can seem like an intimidating part of our Christian walk. While the idea of a Holy Spirit is easy to shy away from, due to fear or lack of understanding, we can miss out on the depth of relationship that God has for us when we practice daily, intentional intimacy with the Helper He sent for us.

This week Pastor Jake gives a short teaching on the heart and purpose of our Lifegroups at Grace Chapel. We look to Jesus as our example. In the book of John, chapter 6, we see what it is to do life with Jesus and His disciples.

This we week we had a GC family meeting. Pastor Jake shared stories about the things the Lord is doing in and through our body, both here in Knoxville and internationally. We also spent some time learning about water baptism leading into our Summer Celebration, where we celebrated with those who decided to get baptized! Jesus is so good and we are so thankful for all He is doing!

In the conclusion to our series on the book of Deuteronomy, we see the importance of passing on to others what we have received from God. Our legacy isn’t what we do at the end of our life; it’s the story we tell with our life. As followers of Jesus, we are called to give our life away to Jesus, pass the baton to others, and trust Him with an unseen future.