November 23, 2015
A Message from GO! Women's Small Group Bible Study:
Good Morning Ladies!
Welcome Back! "Living Beyond Yourself, Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit". Yes, that's the discussion for the next 10 weeks. So, what does this mean?
Well, Galatians 5:16-26 (ESV) describes not only what the Fruit of the Spirit is in versus 22-23, but these verses also caution us to "walk by the Spirit and to not gratify the desires of the flesh" (v. 16). As you continue to read this section of Galations 5, pay close attention to verse 25. Throughout the Bible, God provides numerous examples of "If/Thens" or "But/Fors". I believe each of these phrases represents God's continuous grace, mercy and love for us. In other words, His desire for relationship and love for us is so great that He continues to give us new opportunities each day, minute and second. Each breath we take is that opportunity. As I reseached the "if/then" phrase I discoverd that it is used in over 1,500 verses in the Bible. Take a look at Galatians 5:
Galatians 5:17-26English Standard Version (ESV)
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians vese 25 tells us to stay lock step with the Spirit (in other words ladies, let Jesus take the wheel- it's okay to ride shot gun!).
In our introduction last week, Beth asked the question, "Is an in-depth study of the Fruit of the Spirit relevant?" We concluded, YES. Here's a recap of Why:
1. Living- what is really living?
The filling and subsequent fruit of the spirit will change our life and day- Coming Alive. Remember the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:3:
3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”
2. Beyond
One take away... Our purpose is beyond us (It's really not about you or I). God has a purpose for us all, we just need to stay "lock step with the Spirit". Galatians 5:25
3. Yourself - What if we stopped living (inside ourselves)? Remember in our last session we learned that the Holy Spirit ....."Moves" and James 2:26 states that "life is in the Spirit". We also prayed to live a life that demonstrates God's Spirit, fulfill our calling, live boldly and love outrageously. In other words to:
"live like every single chapter of our life might be the last one"
In order to do so, we need the Holy Spirit.
With that in mind, recite the following out loud!
(insert your name) COME OUT!
**One last item from last week...Have you memorized Galatians 5:22-23? To help, take a look at our clip from last week where we are learning the Fruit of the Spirit verse with sign language! (est 6:22)
Housekeeping :
Remember to bring your What, Know, Learned chart. We will continue to chart this week. For those of you that are wondering, I will have a copy of the chart this week and explain. Week 1 Homework- pace yourself. We will be discussing and sharing out this week's work and memory verse. Thank you in advance for being an accountability partner for each other.
We will be in the INNOVATION CENTER- Stark County Library (Main Campus)Spread the word and invite someone to Session 2 as we will continue our conversation and study about life in the Holy Spirit in Fruit of the Spirit- Living Beyond Yourself. Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve, GO!
Have a great week and see you on Tuesday!
Krista
Each day we have an opportunity to be the light and salt God has called us to be to others. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
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