Welcome to this week's Group Study! This fall we're doing a 7-week block starting October 11 running through the week of November 29.
Start your time with a Check-in (about 15 minutes)
inductive bible study (30-40 minutes)
Open your Bibles and begin with a prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to help you read God's word. Read the passage out loud once together and then silently once more on your own, noting your observations and questions. Then take a few minutes to share your observations and questions together.
Key Scripture:
GALATIANS 5:16-25
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Take some time to answer a key question you've raised as a group and think through how the issues you've explored apply to your lives.
Take a moment after your Bible study to watch this video:
READING & DISCUSSION (about 30 minutes):
Take a moment together to read this quote from Dallas Willard's book, The Spirit of the Disciplines.
Willard says, "A discipline for the spiritual life is nothing but an activity undertaken to bring us into more effective cooperation with Christ and his Kingdom."
Willard then divides the disciplines into two categories: The disciplines of "abstinence" and the disciplines of "engagement". (Note that this is not an exhaustive list)
Disciplines of Abstinence
- solitude
- silence
- fasting
- frugality
- chastity
- secrecy (ie. doing your good deeds in secret [Matthew 6:1])
- sacrifice
Disciplines of Engagement
- study
- worship
- celebration
- service
- prayer
- fellowship
- confession
- submission
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Do you see a connection between the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the practice of spiritual disciplines? What might that connection be?
Take some time to share together how praciticing spiritual disciplines has helped you "keep in step with the Spirit" in your life.
Group Challenge
Is there a discipline you would want to practice this week as a group? Pick one and then share your experience next time you gather.
Close with a time of prayer.
