Poured Out: The Holy Spirit is our “Down Payment” of the Future
The Holy Spirit was poured out, so that we can pour ourselves out in love and service to others. On this Pentecost Sunday, we explore and celebrate how the Spirit is our “down payment” of our future inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14), given to us now so that we can live like God intends us to live.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Can you think of an example of something you have “marked” with your own name to make sure people know it belongs to you? (Like writing your name inside your book or on the tag of a family jacket.) Has your ownership of that item ever been an important issue?
2. Have you ever thought of yourself as being “marked” as belonging to God because of the Holy Spirit living within you? How does that change your perspective?
3. When you think about your ultimate future — what Ephesians 1:14 calls “our inheritance,” what do you think of? What are you looking forward to?
4. Read Romans 8:10-11. If the sentence in your translation sounds confusing, try the New Living Translation. How does the promise of verse 11 make you feel? Does it give you hope? Is it hard to believe?
5. Do you feel like the Holy Spirit is active in your life? Why or why not? If not, what might your next step be?