Forgotten God / week 2

1. Think about a time in your life when you were afraid [whether the fear was irrational or legitimate]. How did you feel? How did you respond?

2. Why do you think it is so easy to become defensive and fearful of change when it comes to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit?

3. Try to figure out where you're at with this. Which camp [if any] do you most identify with regarding your views of the Holy Spirit, and what fears and stereotypes do you have of the other camp?

4. Being as honest as possible, do you think those fears would keep you from changing your views and practices, even if you found that the Scriptures teach that your views are misguided? Why, or why not?

5. If you are motivated by a fear that God won't act when you ask Him to, what does that say about your view of God?

>Watch Video for session 2 now at RightNow Media and then answer the following questions

6. Imagine that the Holy Spirit took complete control of your life and showed you exactly what He wanted you to do. Why might the thought of actually following the Holy Spirit be scary?

Have you ever found yourself fearful of this? If so, describe what you thought and did.

Read Luke 18:18-30

7. Why do you think the ruler was so surprised when Jesus told him to sell hi possessions ans give to the poor? What do you think he was expecting Jesus to say?

8. What did Jesus mean when He said, "follow me" [v. 22]? DO you think the ruler understood what Jesus meant by this? Why, or why not?

9. Try to put yourself in the ruler's position. He was a wealthy man, yet he came to Jesus to learn what he should do. Picture yourself coming to Jesus and asking His Spirit to lead you in the right direction. Do you have any thoughts about what He might ask you to do?

10. Would you be willing to follow, no matter what that might mean? Why do you say that?

11. Read Ephesians 4:30. Write down a few aspects of your life that think might grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder His work in and through you. Once you've written them down, stop and pray. Repent of those things and ask the Spirit to give you the strength to put those things to death.

12. Spend some time in prayer. Ask God to remove your fears about following the Holy Spirit. Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Spirit would show you what He wants you to do and pray that God would give you the strength and the heart to follow wherever He might lead.

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Journal some reflections on...What are you afraid of?