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The Point of the series has been to learn about the Trinity so we can better our relationship with God. For many of us, it is easier to think relationally with Father or Son than the Holy Spirit; but we can’t become who God wants us to be without the Holy Spirit.

If you got a text message while talking to someone, would you answer it? Do you get upset when someone answers the phone while talking to you—or sends a text message? Many people get upset because they feel that when we answer the phone while talking to someone else, or keep checking out texts, that we’re too distracted to communicate with them.

God is always near & speaking, but we’re often not listening or are distracted. Our focus is on other things in our life. We all make a decision every day—we can focus on God or the things that distract us. What we focus on changes what we do and who we become.

The goal of our relationship with God is to be more like God and be witnesses of living a God-filled life. Knowing God changes how we think, treat others—everything about how we live!

Last week, Paul made an analogy of a ship catching the wind as us following the Holy Spirit. My group talked about how the currents also pull on the ship. These currents (Galations 5:16-21), pull us away, while the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26) show how we are being changed by he Holy Spirit and our pursuit of God.

Instead of accepting the invitation to follow the Spirit (catching the wind), we often invite the Holy Spirit to follow us and serve our purposes & desires. We fight and row against the wind or just follow the current. Following Christ is life-changing. We shouldn’t just try to add Jesus to life, we must be transformed by listening to, spending time with & following the Holy Spirit.

I read a passage from Mark Batterson’s upcoming book, Wild Goose Chase about following the Holy Spirit. I’ve been thinking about the our relationship to the Holy Spirit. We will pursue relationship we want (boyfriends, girlfriends, children, parents, etc.) If we want a full life with God, we must pursue Him and where He leads us.

Although we are made right in our relationship with God through grace found in Jesus, it doesn’t eliminate our personal responsibility. The degree to which you pursue the Holy Spirit is linked to the strength and depth of that relationship

From Mark’s upcoming book: “If you chase the wild goose, he will take you places you could never have imagined going, by paths you never knew existed.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What is necessary for living out our faith? (Ephesians 5:18)

2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Why do some people seem to be completely changed by God from the moment they receive Christ, yet others profess Christ but often do not exhibit much Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)?

3. What keeps some believers (or you) from fully following the Holy Spirit? What things distract us from following the Holy Spirit? Is there anything you might need to limit or give up for a period of time? What things have helped you follow the Spirit and be transformed?

4. What should we do if we don’t feel like we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit–or it’s not where it should be? How do I develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit?

5. What does the Holy Spirit do in Believers? What’s the Spirit’s one job in unbelievers (John 16:8)? Is that comforting? What does that mean for our responsibility and strategy in witnessing/evangelism? See the back of this page if you need some help with this question.

6. The end goal of our relationship with God is to be more Christlike and be His witnesses. The Barna Group lists seven elements that should define a Follower/Disciple of Christ:

* worshiping God intimately and passionately
* engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers
* pursuing faith in the context of family
* embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth
* serving others
* investing time and resources in spiritual pursuits
* having faith-based conversations with outsiders

Which of these is easiest for you? Which is most challenging?

7. This whole series on the Trinity has been focused on meeting God and getting to know God more fully. In what ways have you come to know Him better? Why is it so important that we seek to know God better and to know him more relationally?

8. Have you ever felt led to do something by the Holy Spirit? By what standard are we to judge things people say they heard from God? Will the Holy Spirit ever lead you to do something that goes against Scripture? Part of learning to live a Spirit-filled life is becoming who God wants you to be and doing what Gods wants you to do. Is God leading you to do something (volunteer, minister, get involved somewhere, speak to someone at work, etc.) for Him right now?

Bonus: What the Spirit Does

The Spirit…
convicts people of guilt and judgment (John 16:8)
guides God’s people (John 16:13)
tells things that are to come (John 16:13)
brings glory to Jesus (John 16:14)
hears God’s truths and makes them known (John 16:13, 15)
appoints pastors over God’s people (Acts 20:28)
speaks God’s message (Acts 28:25, etc.)
bears witness together with our own spirits (Romans 8:16)
helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26)
intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26, 27)
searches all things (1 Corinthians 2:10)
knows the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:11)
teaches the content of the gospel to believers (1 Corinthians 2:13)
lives among and within believers (1 Corinthians 3:16, etc.)
washes, sanctifies and justifies God’s people (1 Corinthians 6:11)
gives gifts to his people as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11)
gives life to those who believe (2 Corinthians 3:6)
cries out from within our hearts (Galatians 4:6)
leads us in the ways of God (Galatians 5:18)
has desires that are in opposition to the flesh (Galatians 5:17)
strengthens believers (Ephesians 3:16)
is grieved by our sinfulness (Ephesians 4:30)
can be blasphemed (Luke 12:10) and lied to (Acts 5:3)

(Click here to see the source for this bonus material.)