We Believe: Week 8
Opening Question
Have you ever been told "it gets better"? When are times you have heard that? Did you believe that things would get better? Why or why not?
Background
See Week 1
Creed Section
Consider this portion of the Creed as we read the Bible passage from John:
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
Read
John 16:4-15
Ask someone to read this aloud, and then allow silence for everyone to reflect on the passage.
Discussion
1. Were there any words that need defining or any questions other questions? Does anyone have a translation that paints a different picture?
2. How does John 16 relate to this week’s section of the Nicene Creed?
3. What do you learn about the Holy Spirit from John's gospel? Do you believe it is better for us to have the Holy Spirit than to have Jesus with us now?
4. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirits (after a list of the things our bodies desire wrongfully). Do any of these stick out to you as something you would love help working on in your life? This is not what others think you should do but what you, in a deep place, want for your own growth. How can the house church help you?
*Optional: Going Deeper
You are welcome to use this question in your group discussion or to carry it with you throughout the week to answer on your own. Become what you are! This was the cry of Karl Barth, a Swiss theologian from the early 1900s. The Spirit is here to help each of us become who we are as sons and daughters of God (not who we "should" be or a boringly "holy" version of ourselves). What does it mean that God wants you before you have done anything to earn it? What does it mean that he has planted in you (or will at baptism) the full power, help, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Close in prayer for one another’s journeys of belief and any other prayer requests that are offered to the group.
Announcements
Have you ever been told "it gets better"? When are times you have heard that? Did you believe that things would get better? Why or why not?
Background
See Week 1
Creed Section
Consider this portion of the Creed as we read the Bible passage from John:
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
Read
John 16:4-15
Ask someone to read this aloud, and then allow silence for everyone to reflect on the passage.
Discussion
1. Were there any words that need defining or any questions other questions? Does anyone have a translation that paints a different picture?
2. How does John 16 relate to this week’s section of the Nicene Creed?
3. What do you learn about the Holy Spirit from John's gospel? Do you believe it is better for us to have the Holy Spirit than to have Jesus with us now?
4. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirits (after a list of the things our bodies desire wrongfully). Do any of these stick out to you as something you would love help working on in your life? This is not what others think you should do but what you, in a deep place, want for your own growth. How can the house church help you?
*Optional: Going Deeper
You are welcome to use this question in your group discussion or to carry it with you throughout the week to answer on your own. Become what you are! This was the cry of Karl Barth, a Swiss theologian from the early 1900s. The Spirit is here to help each of us become who we are as sons and daughters of God (not who we "should" be or a boringly "holy" version of ourselves). What does it mean that God wants you before you have done anything to earn it? What does it mean that he has planted in you (or will at baptism) the full power, help, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Close in prayer for one another’s journeys of belief and any other prayer requests that are offered to the group.
Announcements
- You can find the Nicene Creed in the Notes section of The Gathering Church app. Try to find a time to pray the Creed once on your own or with your family this week.
- This Sunday is a Baptism Sunday followed by an ice cream social. Join us to celebrate three new members of God's Kingdom!
- The new Sunday volunteer sign up is available for the Summer. A detailed description is at the top of the sign up. Email Mikah Alge if you have any questions.
- Keep Praying for your Top 5.
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