Pursuing Holiness - Discussion 2

The Pursuit of a Surrendered Life
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Discussion 2 – The Work of the Holy Spirit in Holiness

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read

For each section of verse below: One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.

Re-read

Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc.

Retell

One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…

As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build knowledge towards understanding and wisdom. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Infilling of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:4-5 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

  • Why was the receiving of God’s promise given as a command by Jesus?
  • Why does the scripture refer to receiving the Holy Ghost as a baptism?
  • What is the value of a promise?
  • What is the difference between men’s promises and God’s promises?

Acts 2:1-4 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

  • Here the giving of the Holy Ghost was described as a “filling”. What does this imply about what the Spirit of God does to our lives?
  • In what way might the fire here be symbolic of the work of holiness in our lives?
  • What does it mean that the Spirit gave them utterance?
  • How might the Spirit also give us “utterance” or “ability” when it comes to expressing holiness?

Acts 2:38-39 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

  • Here the giving of the Holy Ghost is described as receiving a gift. In what way might holiness in our lives be a gift from God?
  • Why might repenting and being baptized be required along with us receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost?
  • According to this passage, who should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?

Holiness is Imparted by the Holy Spirit

Jeremiah 31:33 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;

After those days, saith the LORD,

I will put my law in their inward parts,

and write it in their hearts;

and will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

  • In what way does this passage describe the infilling of the Holy Ghost?
  • What does this passage say this infilling would accomplish in us?
  • In what ways might having God’s laws in our “inward parts” make us holy?

Holiness is Taught Directly by the Spirit within us

John 14:26 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • What is the value of being taught directly by the Holy Ghost?
  • Describe a time when you felt an inner prompt from God to avoid something or to do something.
  • Why might receiving knowledge about holiness be a Comfort to us?

1 John 2:27 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • Why is the Spirit here compared to an “anointing”, and what do you think anointing means?
  • How many ways does this passage speak of abiding? Why might each be important?
  • According to this verse, what is the greatest teacher of holiness in our lives, and why?

Holiness is personal

Philippians 2:12-13 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

  • What role does obedience play in developing holiness in our lives?
  • Paul speaks of obedience in his absence, who might he be encouraging the Phillipians to obey?
  • How might “working out our salvation” relate to holiness?

Hebrews 3:14 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

  • Describe the most valuable possession in your home that you would not want to part with.
  • Why does this passage describe our confidence as something we would “hold steadfast”?
  • In what ways might this verse relate to holiness in our lives?

Holiness cannot be legislated

Hebrews 13:17 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

  • In what ways might it be important for us to have godly leaders teaching us principles of holiness?
  • Describe the difference between being taught about holiness and being forced to follow rules.

1 John 2:15 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • When we deeply love something or someone, how does that affect our desire and pursuit of it?
  • In what ways might we show love for the things of this world?
  • How does showing love for the world affect our love for God?
  • What would be the results of following principles of holiness without love for God?

John 14:15-18 (Read, Re-read, Retell)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

  • Describe an experience when you were forced to do something, whether you wanted to or not. How did being forced make you feel about doing it?
  • What value is there in exercising holiness out of love for God, as opposed to doing it out of fear or being coerced?
  • When we keep God’s commandments out of love, what does he promise to us?

Next Week:  Pursuing Holiness – Discussion 3 – Holiness in the Christian Life

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