The Ghost 01: Presence of the Holy Spirit-Follow Up

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions, and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

What was your understanding of the Holy Spirit before this week’s message?

Read John 14:16-17 and John 16:7. These verses describe why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be among us and to interact in our lives. The Holy Spirit is not a thing or an “it,” He is a part of the person of God.

Why is having the Holy Spirit being active in our lives such an important part of our walk with Christ?

How is the Holy Spirit being in us better than having Jesus on earth with us?

Read Acts 19:1-2 and Acts 7:51. These verses show that many of us are living a Spirit-less life by either not being aware of the Holy Spirit or resisting the Holy Spirit.

In what ways are you living a Spirit-less life currently?

Read John 16:12-13, Isaiah 30:31, and John 16:8-9. These verses show how the Holy Spirit is the voice of God we need to guide us.

When you think back, can you see a time when the Holy Spirit was leading you? Did He comfort, counsel, or convict you?

Describe how you need His presence in your life. What steps are you willing to take to live a Spirit-filled life?

next steps

Here are some specific things you can do this week to learn more about the Holy Spirit and help you to have a more Spirit-filled life.

Begin reading Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. In this book, Francis Chan offers a detailed understanding of the Holy Spirit and teaches us how to embrace and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction. This book is available at most bookstores and online.

Spend time in prayer this week seeking a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Pray and allow Him to counsel and comfort you with any struggles you may be facing, as well as convict you of your sins. Use the prayer guide to lead you.

Prayer Guide

Use these prayer tips to guide your time with God this week to expand your conversations both in person and online:

Read John 14:16-17. Thank God in prayer for the Holy Spirit. Seek to develop a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit by spending more time listening for His voice.

Read Acts 19:1-2 and 7:51. Pray and ask God to help you become more aware of the Holy Spirit in your life and to not resist His direction.

Read John 14:15-17. Commit to obey when the Holy Spirit leads you. Pray that God will help you be more responsive to His voice.

Read John 16:13. Pray about any situations that you need guidance from God. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s counsel.

Read John 16:7-8. Confess in prayer any sin that is in your life. Let the Holy Spirit convict you and change you from the inside out.

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Red Letter Day 05: "Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise" Follow Up

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

With your Bible read Luke 23:26-43.

This passage describes the two thieves that were crucified on both sides of Jesus. One insulted Jesus while the other called out to Jesus and trusted Him. The one who trusted was forgiven by Jesus and was given assurance of a place in heaven.

On a scale from 1-100, how would you rate yourself as a person? 

What would you change if you could? 

How are we all like the two thieves on the cross?

In what ways do you feel you have more going for you than most? 

In what ways do you feel inadequate compared to others?

How have you relied on your own goodness to help you get right with God?

Read Romans 3:19-26.

These verses explain that we can never be good enough. We will always fall short of perfection. But through faith in Jesus, we can be made righteous – or perfect – in God’s eyes.

• Describe your experience when you called out to God for forgiveness and accepted Christ as your Savior. 

• How has God’s forgiveness changed you? 

• What does God’s forgiveness teach you about how we should live our lives? 

• Do you need to call out to God about any wrongs or weaknesses in your own life?

• In this week’s sermon, we learned that good people don’t go to heaven...forgiven people go to heaven. 

What does that statement mean to you?

next steps

Here are some specific things you can do this week to help you and those around you experience God’s grace and forgiveness in a deeper way:

Spend time in prayer confessing the areas of your life where you need God’s forgiveness. Be honest with God about your weaknesses and the areas where you most desperately need His help. Pray and consider whether to also seek the counsel of a mature, trusted believer. Seek out someone you know who is in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. Set aside time to visit with them over coffee, lunch or a common activity. Share how God’s forgiveness has changed you. Take time to listen and respond to their questions. Pray and ask God to touch that person’s heart as you visit with them.

Use these prayer tips to guide your time with God this week and to expand your conversations with others.

• Confess any wrongs in your life to God in prayer and ask for His grace and forgiveness.

• Have an honest conversation with God and assess where your current relationship is with Him. Ask for His continued grace and help as you grow in relationship with Him.

• Thank God for the ways His grace and forgiveness have changed you.

• Commit to God that you will model His grace and forgiveness in all areas of your life, especially in your relationships with others.

• Pray for those who do not know Christ as their Saviour. Pray they will call out to Him and personally experience God’s grace and forgiveness.

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Red Letter Day 04: "It Is Finished" Follow Up

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

With your Bible read John 19:28-30 and Revelation 3:1-2.

In John 19:28-30, Jesus’ final words were “It is finished”, indicating He had completed the task God sent Him to do. Just like Jesus had a specific task during His life, each one of us has specific things God has called us to do in our lives.

• What tasks or purposes do you feel God has called you to complete? What have you already completed for Him?

• As long as we are still living, we can be sure God’s work in us and through us is not yet complete. We all have unfinished business. What is the unfinished business in your life?

• What is holding you back from completing your unfinished business?

Read 2 Corinthians 8:10-12, Galatians 5:22-26, Philippians 1:3-6 and Acts 20:22-24.

These passages give us the blueprint on how to finish strong and complete our unfinished business.

• What do these passages say to you about finishing strong? 

• Describe a time when you finished strong. What did you learn from that accomplishment? 

• A lot of people start, but few finish. Why do you think it is so hard for most of us to stay the course? 

• Do people in today’s world have trouble keeping their commitments? Why do you think that is? 

• What is one thing you can do right now to help you finish strong? How will you take that next step?

• What are some specific ways your friends and family can help you take your next step?

next steps

Here are some specific things you can do this week to help you work towards completing your unfinished business:

One of the best ways to uncover the tasks God has called you to do is to talk it over with a mature believer or someone you look up to. Identify who that person is for you. Spend time this week talking to that person. Ask them to help you process how to complete your unfinished business.

Earlier, you identified the unfinished business in your life and considered your next step toward finishing strong. Write this step down and keep it in a prominent place where you will see it often and be reminded of your unfinished business. Ask someone to hold you accountable until this step is complete. Once you have completed this step, ask God and others to help you identify the next task and to continue to hold you to it.

Use these prayer tips to guide your time with God this week to expand your conversations both in person and online:

• Ask God to reveal what your unfinished business is and how you can complete it.

• Commit to focusing on your task and finishing strong. Seek God’s help and guidance as you identify your unfinished business.

• Ask God to show you what your next step should be as you complete the work God has called you to do.

• Ask God to remove the distractions in your life that are keeping you from taking your next step.

• Ask God to strengthen you to finish all of the tasks He has called you to do.

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Red Letter Day 03: "I Thirst" Follow Up

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions, and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

With your Bible read John 19:28-30.

These verses describe Jesus’ moment of death while hanging on the cross. Just before His death, Jesus said, “I am thirsty,” and He was given one last drink to quench His thirst.

• What types of things are you hungry and thirsty for? Do you hunger and thirst for God, or for something else? Explain. 

• What kinds of circumstances or situations tend to cause you to lose your hunger and thirst for God? 

• In what ways has your relationship with God brought you fulfillment and satisfaction?

Read John 4:1-42.

This passage tells the story of the Samaritan woman who asked Jesus to give her a drink. Jesus responded by meeting her need and satisfying her thirst, even though Jews were not supposed to associate with Samaritans.

• What side of need are you on? Are you “needed” or “needy”? Explain. 

• What are some things you can do that will make you able to help when you run into others who have needs?

• Describe a time when you helped meet someone else’s needs. In what ways did your act of kindness bring you satisfaction?

• Do you know anyone with some specific needs? What are those needs? What can you do to help meet some of those needs?

• What immediate needs do you have that others could help you with? 

next steps

Here are some specific things you can do this week to help you quench your thirst for God by helping someone else in need:

Earlier, you identified the immediate needs of someone you know. This week, do something to help that person get those needs met. If their needs are greater than you can meet on your own, consider asking your family to help you.

One reason we don’t help others like we should is that we’re not in a position where we can: spiritually, mentally, physically, or financially. Earlier, you listed some things you could do to help you help others, meeting needs as you encounter them. Act on those things this week. Start by making a plan.

Use these prayer tips to talk it over with God and to expand your conversations both in person and online:

• Ask God to make you hunger and thirst for Him.

• In prayer, confess any areas of your life that are causing you to lose your thirst for God. Ask Him to change these areas, and to show you what you can do.

• Tell God what your needs are. Ask Him to comfort you and to help you get your needs met.

• Ask God to send you opportunities to help others in need. Ask Him to give you whatever you’ll need to help meet those needs.

• Pray for the needs of your friends, your family, your co-workers. Ask God to supply ways to meet those needs.

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Red Letter Day 02: Father Forgive Them Follow Up

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions, and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

With your Bible read Luke 23:33-34.

This passage tells about Jesus being taken to die on the cross. One of Jesus’ final actions was to ask God to forgive the very people who were killing him.

• What has someone forgiven you of that you are most grateful for? 

• Before you knew Christ as your Savior, how did you treat others who wronged you? Do you treat them differently now? 

• Describe a time when another person hurt your feelings and you had a hard time forgiving them. How did that bitterness and resentment affect your life? 

• How has withholding forgiveness poisoned your relationships? 

• God is so willing to forgive us. Why are we sometimes unwilling to forgive others? 

• In what ways has God shown you mercy by forgiving your sins? How has that forgiveness impacted your life?

Read Matthew 18:21-35.

This parable told by Jesus describes a servant who couldn’t repay a debt that he owed to his king. The king forgave his debt, but later when that same servant refused to forgive someone who was in debt to him, the king sent the servant to prison to be tortured.

• Describe a time when you forgave someone who hurt you. How did your act of forgiveness impact your life and the lives of others?

• How is it possible for us to forgive the wrongs others have done to us? Why is important that we forgive? 

• What does forgiveness look like in your life right now? What are some things you can do to develop an ongoing attitude of forgiveness? 

• What are some practical ways you can show mercy this week to someone who has wronged you? 

• Who are the people you haven’t forgiven that you would commit to pray for regularly?

next steps

Here are some specific things you can do this week to help you begin to show mercy and forgiveness towards others and break the bondage of bitterness.

If someone has hurt you, begin the process of forgiving that person. Ask God to soften your heart so that you can forgive. Think about an appropriate time to share with that person that you have forgiven them. Don’t rush through the process of forgiving. Take enough time to be sure you’re sincere.

Spend some time this week asking God to help you turn away from bitterness, and ask Him to help you become a forgiver instead. Read the following scriptures this week as you pray for those you need to forgive:

Matthew 6:9-15, Romans 12:19-21, Luke 6:27-37, Luke 11:4 and Luke 7:47-48.

Use these prayer tips to talk it over with God and to expand your conversations both in person and online:

• Thank God for the power of forgiveness that you have experienced in your own life.

• Ask God to remove any bitterness you have. Ask Him to give you a heart of forgiveness in its place.

• Pray for any people who have hurt you. Ask God to help you begin the process of forgiving them.

• Ask God to help you treat others with mercy and forgiveness. Ask Him to help you and guide you.

• Ask God to help you receive and understand His complete forgiveness..

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Red Letter Day 01: Why Have You Forsaken Me? Follow Up

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions, and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

With your Bible read Matthew 27:37-46.

This passage of Scripture describes some of Jesus’ final moments as He was crucified on the cross. As He was tortured and ridiculed while hanging on the cross, Jesus cries out to God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

• Describe your current level of trust in God. What types of events or situations help you build your trust in God? 

• Why do you think it is so hard to trust God when we are in the midst of difficulties and so easy to trust Him when life is good? 

• Describe a time when you felt completely alone or abandoned by God. How did God ultimately show you that you were not alone? 

• We have all experienced tragedies and difficult situations that have caused us to ask the question, “Why, God?” What are some of the “why” questions you have asked?

Read Isaiah 55:8-9, Mark 10:18, Romans 8:31-33, and Proverbs 3:5-6.

These verses show us that God is good, God is for us, and God is with us when we endure times of difficulty we don’t understand.

• How have you experienced God’s goodness while enduring tough times? 

• What are some of the frustrations or questions you are currently struggling with? How can you change your “why” to “what” in each of these areas? 

• How have the tragedies and trials you have experienced throughout your life ultimately shaped you into the person you are today? What did they teach you about God? • What types of things do you think God is trying to tell you through the difficulties you’re facing right now?

next steps

Here are some specific things you can do this week to help you better understand why we endure difficult times and how you can build your trust in God.

We all know someone who is currently going through difficult times. Do something this week to help comfort that person and show them that God has not abandoned them. Pray for them throughout the week. Ask God to comfort them and show Himself to them during their difficult time.

Go deeper into the Bible during this series.

Use these prayer tips to talk it over with God and to expand your conversations both in person and online:

• In prayer, confess those areas of your life where you feel abandoned by God. Ask Him for His comfort.

• Commit to God in prayer that you will strive to grow your trust in Him, especially during tough times.

• Thank God for all the times He has shown His love to you during difficult circumstances. Praise Him.

• Pray and ask God to show you “what” instead of “why” when it comes to enduring things in your life you don’t understand.

• Pray for someone you know who’s dealing with a tragedy or going through hard times. Ask God to comfort them.

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When Does It Matter?

Well, 'Tis the season for reflections on Lent, Easter & on what Jesus set in motion.

I have thought often about the night in the Garden of Gethsemane. I understand the disciples falling asleep. I have at least some grasp on the idea that Jesus was very badly stressed. I believe that he was probably scared. All these things I can understand and relate to; they reflect my humanity very well. What I struggle with and marvel at, time and again is the conclusion that Jesus came to. Deeply stressed and horribly frightened he says: "not my will, but yours be done."

That sentence changed history. That sentence is still changing history.

"Not *my* will, but yours" is the meaning of following Jesus Christ. If you want his name, the relationship with him; if you want to be a follower or a disciple then that phrase must be your theme as well.

We think of Jesus saying that in an adrenaline pumping scenario where all history and the world is at stake. I think to myself, perhaps I could rise to that occasion as well. When all of history is hanging on my choice, when all humanity is watching, maybe I could occupy the hero's seat.

But the truth is that question must have been asked and answered throughout Jesus' life repeatedly. He must have answered it when no one was watching, when nothing seemed to be on the line. That question must have been the baseline in deciding his weekly schedule & priorities. That question must be have guided him in his spending choices. That question must have been so familiar to him that it was an everyday event.

For me when I get highly motivated I think to myself, perhaps I could risk my life, perhaps I could die for "that" (all that God stuff) in a moment of intense emotion, devotion and adrenaline. What I do not like to do is live everyday like that. Give me a moment of glory but not a lifetime of mundane interactions.

Is the call really supposed to make me continually think about things (everything) not first from my own perspective? Should it manifest in all areas of my life?

If yes, then that would necessarily, fundamentally change my life and the living of it.

YES! That's it exactly! A fundamental shift in all of my living.

So when making choices about where I live, who I date, when I go on vacation, when I sacrifice, what I call sacrifice, why I do what I do, all must change to follow the Jesus practice: not my will, but yours be done.

That will cause inconvenience. Yes.
That might bring about sacrifice. Yes.
I might have to change some of my personal plans. Yes.
I might have to think about my priorities and what comes first. Yes.
Maybe my service to God is of central importance and not just a set of happy coincidences when I am not too busy. Yes.

Prepare for this Easter by considering Lent more closely. What if I gave my will up and replaced it with God's, what would that look like?

Not my will, but yours be done.

Don't Give Up!


- g-ram