The Holy Who? - The Spirit Encourages

Holy Who?
The Spirit Encourages by Rick Shurtz - November 25th, 2007

In this last message about the work of the Holy Spirit, Rick developed the idea that the Spirit comes to help us win the “internal battles” that we face in our lives. He started by telling about how his trip “home” for Thanksgiving had him thinking about how he had faced different challenges in his life than what he would have expected when he left home at 18 – and that the main challenge had been internal.

1. So, what about you? What has been different in your life than you expected when you were younger? Go around the group and share one way you have faced a different challenge than what you might have expected. (10 minutes)

2. Rick developed some of the “lies” that he has faced as part of his own “spiritual battle”. Take a look at the list below. Do you buy into any of these lies?

• You’re a loser
• You have no idea what you’re doing
• You’re a such weakling, a weasel, (or some other lousy thing…________)
• They think you’re a fool
• You should worry about this
• You’ve fallen again and again and again
• Nobody cares
• Nobody's listening
• You’re going nowhere

If so, pick one that is personal for you – or add one of your own – and then talk about your experience with that lie. What does (or did) it feel like when you “hear/heard” the lie”? What are some ways it effects your life (i.e., What does it make you feel like doing… or what does it keep you from doing? Do you make different choices based on that lie?) (10 – 15 minutes)

3. When Rick talked about the role of the Holy Spirit in our battle against lies, he said we need to “arm” the Holy Spirit in the battle. What are some things we can do that will give the Holy Spirit "fire power" to help us? Are there any things that can “disarm” the Holy Spirit? Try to list a variety of both helps and hindrances to the Holy Spirit’s power. Be sure to relate any relevant personal experiences of either helps or hinderances. (10 – 15 minutes)

4. In the message, Rick gave a dramatic example of using specific truths from the Bible to fight internal lies (see verses below). Do you have a particular verse from the Bible that has helped you in certain circumstances? If so, share about that with the group, as you feel comfortable. Next, use the group and identify specific truths from the Bible that are relevant to each of the lies selected/discussed in Question #2. (10 - 15 minutes)

5. Close by taking some time to think and pray individually about a next step. Pick one of the questions below (or follow the lead of the Holy Spirit if you have felt a prompt to consider some point raised in the discussion). Take a few minutes to answer the question on your own and then write down any “next step” that you want to commit to – and write down a day/time when you’ll take the step in the coming week. (Note: Be sure to enlist the Holy Spirit for help in whatever you do. Try to be honest about what you can realistically do. All God needs is a small step for us and our "encourager", the Holy Spirit will take that small step and give it a lot of power if we ask Him to.) (3 – 5 minutes)

• Is there a lie you need conquer? What Bible verse(s) can you have ready for the Holy Spirit to use when you hear the lie?
• Is there some specific action or “training program” you could do to give the Holy Spirit more spiritual resources in your life/mind/heart? What is something you can do this week to make this happen or begin the process even if in a small way?
• Do you have any routines/training programs that are working against the Holy Spirit’s ability to help you? What one thing can you do this week – even something very small - to transform/move away from that behavior?

Bible verses from the message:

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away…Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7

You know the Spirit, because he lives beside you, and he will be in you.
John 14:17

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…
Acts 2:4

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…
Acts 4:8

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 4:31

They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…
Acts 6:5

Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith…
Acts 11:24

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52

When the counselor comes, he will guide you into all truth.
John 16:13

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

He is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44

The Spirit will guide you into all truth.
John 16:13

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26

Take up…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17

Blessed in the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed in the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37

We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Christ said, “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.
1 Corinthians 1:18

Your heavenly Father knows what you need.
Matthew 6:32

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…
Jeremiah 1:5

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do.
Ephesians 2:10

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
Romans 12:2

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Get more - go further:

You can search for books the Holy Spirit on-line at the Gateway Bookstore or look for books at the "reality" bookstore in the "Garage".

Check out a variety of options for more growth at the Way of Christ website.

Remember - each Sunday's message is available by 5 PM on the day of the message. Past messages are also available for listening and download. Just go to Gateway's Sunday Messages. Free CD's of the messages will be available after the services at Gateway the following Sunday.