Week 8 | Chapters 24-26 | 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.
Moving Forward in Power: Chapters 24-26
Looking at cultivating the spiritual gifts, eternal rewards, and hearing the voice of God.
Video - Setting the Scene
Please watch this video together.
Discussion
Discussion Questions
Chapter 24: Cultivating the Spiritual Gifts
1 Peter 4v7-11
- Prayer, love and gifts
Spiritual gifts are tools for building up others, Every christian receives spiritual gifts wich God empowers (they are supernatural)
We discover our gifts through practice and with the help of a mentor.
Ephesians 4v11-13
Leaders called to prepare God’s people for works of the ministry
The Sunday morning service is not the place to Practice for learning the gifts of the Spirit.
Small groups are a good place to share and practice gifts.
Practice waiting on God for a word/scripture/ impression. Share it with the group and see what God reveals. Then pray.
You can’t learn with out making mistakes. No pressure to make things happen.
Story of Josiah the young boy operating in a prophetic gift.
Chapter 25: Eternal Rewards
Not all Believers will experience heaven in the same way.
Matthew 5v19 "Least" and "great" in the kingdom of heaven
Devine rewards - we will all stand before God and receive reward for our lives.
Read Mathew 25v21
All believers regardless of the quality of their lives go to heaven! But you can waste your life on earthly pleasures and so not store up treasure in heaven.
1 Corinthians 3v10-15
Motivation is to please Jesus
Chapter 26: hearing the voice of God
Truth vs Experience
These should not be opposed to each other.
If Paul needed the voice of the Holy Spirit, surely we do too!
Enjoying the presence of the Lord
Rejoice in Jesus - not rejoicing in your “righteousness”
Luke 18v9-14
Hearing God’s voice is a normal part of the christian life.
Share what you thought God showed you. Remember it is ok to make a mistake simply keep a posture of humility and love.
Pray for each other in response to what God revealed.
Habit of Grace
Going Deeper
PRAYER
Spend some time praying for each other.
SCRIPTURE TO READ TOGETHER
1 Peter 4:7-11 — What does Peter call Christians to in this passage? — What does love actually look like in practice?
1 Corinthians 3v10-15— The work of each persons life will be revealed.
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.