Breaking Ground
How do you celebrate Advent & the Christmas season? Do you have any traditions or regular practices? Are there any new things that you want to add to your life this year?
The Dig
This week, we continued our series Selling Jesus by exploring what it means to witness to Jesus through being or, more specifically, who we are.
Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18. This text appears in a section of Paul’s letter where he’s discussing the difference between viewing the Christian invitation as being about legalism (i.e., following rules) vs. holistic transformation (letting the Holy Spirit transform all of who we are into truer images of Jesus).
How have you been taught to think about the Holy Spirit? How does it work? What is the result of it working in a person’s life?
What impact does Paul think the Holy Spirit should have on a Christian’s life? How should this transformation shape who we are in the world?
Consider the role that this Holy Spirit driven, Christlike transformation plays in our ability to witness to Jesus.
Do you think of a person’s character (i.e., who they are in the singular moments of their life) as being a central part of their evangelism & ability to witness to Jesus?
What happens when we don’t associate letting the Spirit transform us with our ability to take part in healthy evangelism? How does this lead us to misrepresent Jesus in the world?
Close by reflecting on your own experience of spiritual transformation.
Where have you experienced spiritual transformation in your life? Who were you before & after this experience? NOTE: This could be something that took place quickly or over the course of years.
How has your experience of transformation made you a better witness to Jesus in the world? How does it allow you to point others to Jesus’ story in a healthier, more holistic way?
Where do you currently need transformation? How can you open yourself to the Holy Spirit more in this part of your life? How might this strengthen your ability to reflect & point others to Jesus in your life?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18. Make note of Paul’s key themes, ideas, or images.
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in the transformation Paul is describing here?
- Have you ever experienced the kind of transformation Paul is describing? How did it impact your life & relationships?
- Where do you need more of this transformation in your life? What spiritual disciplines could you adopt in this season to better connect to the Holy Spirit?
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Bible & Mission by Richard Bauckham
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
November 30th: Join us next Sunday as we begin Advent!* Please see mye3.org for details.