Who is the Holy Spirit? How do you know He is a person and not a force or impersonal power? (See John 14:26; 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 12:11; Romans 15:30)
Why did the Holy Spirit come? (See John 14:16-17,27; 16:7,13-14)
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? (See Romans 6:1-16)
What does “fruit” mean in John 15:8? (See Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23)
Why is the average Christian not living in complete obedience to God?
What do these verses tell you about God’s love for you?
Matthew 7:11
John 10:28
2 Chronicles 16:9
John 14:21
Hebrews 13:5
How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit?
What command does God give in Ephesians 5:18 and what does it mean?
How is the command of Ephesians 5:18 related to the promise of l John 5:14-15? How can this give you assurance that you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
What characterizes the life of a Christian who is empowered by the Holy Spirit? (See John 15:1-11; Galatians 5:19-25)
What does “the abundant life in Christ” mean to you?
How is the Holy Spirit’s power evident in your life?
Explain the concept of spiritual breathing.
List two or three Christians you know who do not understand the Spirit-filled life. Make plans this week to share with them how God has filled you with the Holy Spirit and how they, too, can experience the Spirit-filled life.
The self-centered Christian manifests certain characteristics that reflect his worldly nature. Consider these questions in your discussion:
What does he think about most of the time?
What kind of person is he?
What kind of things will he be doing? Talk about both good and evil, religious and non-religious activity.
Is the self-centered Christian really a born again believer? How do you know? (See 1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
How can you know for sure whether you are a self-centered or a Spirit-filled Christian?
Why do you need to confess your known sin to God before He can fill you with His Spirit? If you confess your sin and still feel that you are not forgiven, what must you do to receive that assurance? (See James 4:7; l John 1:5-7,9)
Once you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, will you ever need to be filled again? Why? How many times? When? How could you be filled again?
The Spirit-filled Christian demonstrates certain characteristics that reflect his godly nature. Identify and discuss these characteristics. What kind of thoughts, desires, actions and emotions will he manifest? (See Philippians 2:12-16; Colossians 3:1-17)
Perhaps you have asked God to fill you with His Spirit and to control your life, but you don’t feel any different. Does this mean you are not filled with the Spirit? Or does it have any meaning at all? What should you do about it?
Discuss the differences between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Would you say that the fruit of the Spirit is to guide and control the gifts, or do the gifts control the fruit? Why? (See Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:10)
© 1999 Bill Bright, © 2009 Bright Media Foundation and Campus Crusade for Christ International. All rights reserved. Adapted from Bill Bright, “How You Can Be Filled With The Holy Spirit,” Transferable Concept 3 (Peachtree City, GA; Cru).
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