Week 3 | Chapters 7-12 | Why I'm Still Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Introduction
About Table Communities
Table Communities are community gatherings for the purpose of:
- Building meaningful relationships through intentional time together
- Engaging in mutual discipleship through directing one another towards Christ with truth shared in love
- Multiplying grace through love, prayer and gifts of the spirit
The notes will guide you through praying together, reading scripture and engaging in intentional relational time together. The time together is not about getting through all the note content, but rather about building meaningful relationships, engaging in mutual discipleship and experiencing God's multiplying grace. Let those values shape the direction and pace of your time together.
Remember: What we all have in common
Saint : Beloved, forgiven, being renewed, filled with the Holy Spirit.
Sufferer : Carrying real pain and struggle.
Sinner: Still in need of ongoing grace and transformation.
Kick off with prayer
Some one pray for your time together.
Example prayer, if needed. Ideally pray freely as you feel called:
Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.
The Bible and Miracles: Chapters 11-12
Note: Last week we had online TC training Together and so we missed the opportunity to discuss chapters 7-10.
In some ways Chapters 7 and 8 are the heart of this book, so we will certainly want to talk through them tonight!
Please note that chapters 9-12 are more technical and are designed to help those who don't believe in the supernatural gifts - if this is not your struggle these chapters will not be as useful to you.
Video - setting the scene
Please watch this video together.
Discussion
Discussion Questions
Sujith's 5 main points:
1. True Spirituality is about confessing Jesus as Lord
2. Spiritual Gifts are gifts of God’s Grace
3. Spiritual Gifts are given for the common good of The Church
4. Abuse of a Gift does not warrant Neglect
5. Two helpful postures are Earnestly desiring and Humility
Some Prompts:
Chapter 7:
The power of Jesus ministry was unique
Jesus had the Spirit without measure, he is our perfect example in all things
Healing is not automatic (Even for Jesus and the Apostles)
Luke 5v17 - the power of the Lord was present to heal
This shows that it is Gods sovereign prerogative to heal when he determines
John 5v19 - Jesus only did what the father showed him
The gift of healing can’t be exercised at our own discretion
Need by itself never determines ministry - the lord directs all ministries
Chapter 8:
Listen to God, Prayer, Trust
Signs and wonders are an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit as in times of revival…
Gifts of the Spirit are given to the whole body of Christ 1 Cor 12v8-10
We should expect the apostles to have a greater ministry than the rest of the Body of Christ…
It is biblical and right to long for and pray for Revival (Acts 4 prayer)
These are the more technical chapters working through theology and church history to show in a broad way how the church has handled the supernatural.
Habit of Grace
Going Deeper
PRAYER
Spend some time praying for each other.
SCRIPTURE TO READ TOGETHER
Hebrews 13:5–8 — God's promise never to leave us, grounded in the truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
1 Corinthians 14:1–5 — Follow the way of love, and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, for the strengthening of the church.
Read these verses together as a group.
What stands out to you? what do you notice?
QUESTIONS
If you have questions of your own, you can of course discuss them with your group or someone you know. You're also welcome to reach out to one of the Elders with further questions.