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Commonwealth: Week 5

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Commonwealth

This series is all about how we can better live into spiritual empowerment made accessible to us, through Jesus.

In our teaching this week in Commonwealth we discuss Sharing in the Commonwealth of God’s Spirit through Faith and Radical Inclusivity. We’re excited for you to listen along with us! If you want to talk through this message with a group of people join a community group- www.societychurch.com/groups. We will be discussing the questions listed below.

 

Be sure to check out this Intro into Galatians from the Bible Project:

Community Group Discussion Guide:

STEP 1- Ice Breaker:

Help people to loosen up and share. It will be helpful if someone is new to go around and do names and have each person share about a question and share a bit about themselves.

(Group Leader Note: Use the Learning/Living Circle to guide your discussion and application of the content. Try your best to keep the “learning” and “living” focus balanced.)

Step 2- Learning- Observe, Reflect, Discuss

(Group Leader Note: Don’t feel the need to go through every scripture, point or question. Pick and choose what you feel will be most impactful for your group. If you are not sure where to start, just ask your group what stuck out to them about the message most and start with that.)

Point 1- Sharing in the Commonwealth of God’s Spirit through Faith

Read these scriptures together:

Galatians 3:1-5 NLT

“Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.  3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? 5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.”

Galatians 3:14 NLT

“14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”

Galatians 3:21-27 (NLT)

“21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.  24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. 26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.”

  • Anything that jumps out to you as important, helpful or interesting in this scripture?
  • How did the church in Galatia “receive the Spirit”? (HINT: v2 & v14)
  • How do we receive the commonwealth of  God’s Spirit today?
  • What are some ways we might make up “laws” to live by today?

Point 2- Sharing in the Commonwealth of God’s Spirit through Radical Inclusivity

Read Galatians 3:28-29

“28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.”

  • Anything that jumps out to you as important, helpful or interesting?
  • What do you think it means when Paul writes “You are all one in Christ Jesus”?
  • Why do you think it was so important to the Apostle Paul to break down these cultural, socioeconomic, and gender barriers?
  • How does this affect your view of church, faith and community?

STEP 3- Living- Planning, Accountability, Action

Point 1- Sharing in the Commonwealth of God’s Spirit through Faith

  • What does it mean to live by faith in God? What are some examples from your life where you have trusted God?
  • What is an area of your life that you feel your faith in God has really had an impact?
  • What is an area of your life that you sense God leading you to grow and mature in your faith?
  • How do you plan to grow in your faith in this area before the end of the year?

Point 2- Sharing in the Commonwealth of God’s Spirit through Radical Inclusivity

  • How are you helping to create space for people who are different than you?
  • On a scale of 1-10 how inclusive would you rate yourself?
  • What are some ways you could grow in your inclusivity?
  • What are some things that you do, say or ask to help people who feel like outsiders, feel included at church, work or social environments?
  • How do you share and/or show your faith with others. How do you share the invitation of the gospel with others?

STEP 4- Prayer And/Or Meditation:

Try one of these options, don’t be afraid to mix it up.

  • Share requests and pray for one another.
  • Inner, Other & Outer life prayer needs
  • Meditation with silence and stillness- A word or phrase to focus your group. A time of silence and stillness, set a timer for 5 minutes if you want.

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