THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR INNER LIFE

Transcription

1 STUDY GUIDE

2 CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR INNER LIFE EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S CONVICTION In this chapter we meet our fictional friend Bill. In what ways do you identify with the description of Bill s day-to-day life? 2

3 When you have a problem or need help, to whom or to what do you typically turn? How does that usually work out for you? The author claims that dissatisfaction with life can actually be a gift from the Lord (p. 9). Why? Do you agree? How do your own life experiences speak to this? 3

4 Do you tend to compartmentalize your life into many different selfs (such as, the Parent, the Spouse, the Worker, the Churchgoer), etc.? Are any of those selfs in conflict with one another, or do you recognize any inconsistencies between the two? Does your spiritual life exist outside of any of these roles? The author writes, Many Christians say they believe in the God of the universe and have trusted in the Son of God as their Lord and Savior but then spend the bulk of their lives obeying other lords and trusting other saviors (p. 8). What evidence of this do you see in your life and in the world around you? 4

5 CHAPTER 2 THE PROMISE OF MYSTERIOUS POWER EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S PRESENCE Have ever wondered, as the author did, why we don t witness the kinds of miracles and signs and wonders today that people in the Old Testament did? The author responds: You don t need miracles (p. 14). How does his statement strike you? 5

6 Have you ever asked God for something, whether it was a large request or a small one, that he didn t give you? How did that experience affect your view of him? Have you ever had a slain in the Spirit moment, as the author describes happened to him? Or, have you ever experienced God in an entirely new way, and that moment stuck with you? How did that experience affect you, and what did it help you understand about God? 6

7 How do you imagine the disciples felt after Jesus s resurrection when he told them he was leaving again? What does Jesus tell them about the importance of the Holy Spirit in John 16:5 7? Read 2 Peter 1:3 4. The author writes that what believers today have is better than miracles or extraordinary experiences (p. 18), and that Paul s words about us becoming partakers of the divine nature is a phrase that blows his mind because it means that through the Holy Spirit we have been given the gift of actually knowing God. What part of this passage stands out to you? 7

8 CHAPTER 3 PRESSING RESET EVERY DAY EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S GUIDANCE In this chapter, the author points out how the messages we hear the most and the routines we practice shape our attitudes and behaviors. What are some habits you have found that feed your spiritual life? Which ones seem to hurt it? 8

9 Our fictional friend Bill was in a rut, trapped in his daily, numbing routine, but when he veered off his typical course just a little by going to a new Sunday school class, his life began to change for the better. How have you experienced stepping out of your comfort zone and receiving a renewed vision for your life? From the list of spiritual checkup questions on page 47, are there any you strongly identify with? What do you think they say about the state of your heart? 9

10 Read Galatians 5:16. What does it mean to walk by the spirit? Another way the Holy Spirit speaks to us is through the Bible, but the author points out that sometimes we feel dissatisfied with reading the Bible because we want a clear, personal word from the Spirit. Read 2 Timothy 3: How are the Word of God (the Bible) and the Holy Spirit connected? 10

11 CHAPTER 4 ENGAGING THE DIVINE DIALOGUE EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S VOICE Throughout the Bible, even heroes of the faith struggled with God s silence in their lives. What do you do when you feel like God isn t speaking to you? 11

12 Like the author s friend, have you ever been looking for enlightenment and/or peace in a place that wasn t traditionally Christian, but were met by God in that experience? What does this say about God s will and his power? The author states that the primary way any Christian will participate in a relationship with God is through Bible study and prayer. He says, If you want to know what God has done and is doing and is going to do, read the Bible. If you want to know how to live and how to love and how to survive and how to thrive, read the Bible. If you want to know what God thinks about you, read the Bible (p. 71). Do you tend to consider the Bible as God s complete Word to you on everything? Why, or why not? 12

13 In this chapter, the author gives five practices for how to read and understand the Bible and apply it to our lives. Using these practices as a guide, choose your favorite Bible story or passage and read through it again. Do you have any new insight into that passage? How does it feel to hear that God calls you his friend (see John 15:15)? Do you feel that you have a friendship with God? Why or why not? 13

14 CHAPTER 5 THE SPIRITUAL POWER OF PRAYER EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S STRENGTH How is your prayer life? Do you experience connection with God through prayer, or do you ever wonder if it s working? 14

15 What is the divine dialogue between God and us (p. 61)? In what ways does he speak to us, and in what ways do we respond? What is the connection between the Bible and prayer? In this chapter, the author gives four practical suggestions to help you pray. Do you already engage in some of these practices, and how do they encourage you in your prayer life? Are there any you feel prompted to try? 15

16 The author writes, Prayer is expressed helplessness. And prayer is an experience of strength (p. 89). How are both of these statements true? How does the conversation between Prayerful and Prayerless (pp ) help you in your understanding of prayer? How is submission to God a crucial part of a prayer life (p. 85)? 16

17 CHAPTER 6 THE BLESSING OF GOING WITHOUT EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S FILLING The author writes, there s a fine line between contentment and complacency (p.100). What do you think is the difference, and why is it important to make the distinction? 17

18 How can living our lives on autopilot in a lack of awareness about how our habits and values are affecting us lead us into idolatry (that is, putting our trust and hope in something other than God)? What are some culturally acceptable forms of idolatry in our world today? Has there been a time in your life when the Spirit has led you to say enough and give up, or fast, from something? How did you respond, and what happened as a result? 18

19 What does it mean to enter into a season of joyful fasting (p. 111)? How might doing so help re-set your priorities? Read Matthew 5:6. What happens when we hunger and thirst for the things of God? 19

20 CHAPTER 7 BREAKING FREE FROM THE DRAMA EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S COUNSEL Our fictional friend Bill is becoming more spiritually aware, but still struggles to shake off relational troubles and destructive patterns that exist within his family. How does pursuing the Spirit s guidance, through Bible study and prayer, begin to affect his relationships with others and how he views them? 20

21 Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, Christians have the power to do relationships in an entirely unworldly way. How does Ephesians 4:25 32 instruct us to care for our relationships? Too often, we tend to insulate ourselves with the opinions and affirmations of others who believe exactly as we do, blinding ourselves with what the author calls confirmation bias. Do you think you do this? (See pages for some hints that you might be.) If so, how might this be affecting your view of other people (especially the ones who might not think like you)? How does the Spirit work against our confirmation bias? The author writes, The American church has done a great disservice in merging one s journey of faith with the values of the American dream (p. 136). What do you think of his statement? Do you think he s right? Why or why not? 21

22 In the Old Testament, we read about what happened at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1 9). Compare that passage with what happened in the New Testament during Pentecost (Acts 2:1 12). How was Pentecost an example of the Spirit restoring through grace what had become unraveled by sin? Some believers today don t see the necessity of plugging in to a local church, but the author points out that to consider the church optional is to miss out on the fullness of the Holy Spirit (p. 147). Have you ever felt apathetic about being a part of a church community? How has the Lord spoken to you in that area? 22

23 CHAPTER 8 HOLDING ON TO HOPE WHEN THE DAYS ARE DARK EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S COMFORT The author writes that, for Christians, there is a bittersweet irony in suffering, because suffering often allows us to know and experience a deeper level of God s grace. Do you agree? How have you experienced this in your life? 23

24 Read John 14:26. In what key way does the Holy Spirit comfort us? When we suffer, we re sometimes tempted to believe that suffering is punishment for our sin. How does Romans 8:1 answer that belief? On pages 158 9, there are many verses that describe the love the Lord has for us. Which of these verses brings you the most comfort? Have you ever received or experienced a supernatural comfort that could have only come from the Spirit? Describe that time. 24

25 CHAPTER 9 FINDING THE ENERGY TO GO THE DISTANCE EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S GIFTS Jesus, through his death on the cross, is the author of our salvation. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us live out that salvation (p. 169)? 25

26 The apostle Paul says that sanctification is not passive work. Read Galatians 5: What active work must we do to allow the Spirit to sanctify us? How does growing in the fruits of the Spirit (listed in Galatians 5:22 23) help us to stay in step with the Spirit? The author says that today people tend to fall into two camps regarding charismatic gifts of the Spirit (see pp ). Which camp do you tend to fall into and why? 26

27 What is the point of spiritual gifts (p. 182)? The author writes, God can be trusted to work his will in ways both ordinary and extraordinary, and he does not leave it to us to decide which is which (p. 184). How does this statement speak to the modern-day debate regarding spiritual gifts? 27

28 CHAPTER 10 THE POWERFUL PROMISES OF GOD EXPERIENCING THE SPIRIT S BAPTISM In the midst of King David s lament in the psalms, what does he desperately want from the Holy Spirit (see Ps. 51:11)? 28

29 The author writes, The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the believer s immersion into the life of the Spirit... making us citizens of heaven as we live and breathe today (p. 194). As a believer, you receive a supernatural baptism by the Holy Spirit every single day of your life. How can claiming this reality impact your daily life? Think about our fictional friend Bill and his spiritual journey throughout this book. How does his transformation encourage you, and how do you identify with his journey? 29

30 In this chapter, the author lists the many ways the Holy Spirit is present and working in our lives (pp ). Are any of these surprising to you, or cause you to see the Holy Spirit in a new light? What are some key insights you ve gained about the Holy Spirit over the course of this book? 30