11/3 - 11/7 Life Group Questions

^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2. Are You Gifted? Yes, No, Maybe So...

1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 28

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 4:7-8; 11-12

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

While there may be an infinite list of "Gifts Of God", from just the list in these 2 passages, do you believe that God has gifted you in one of these areas specifically? (if you are not sure, which one do you think is the most likely?) On a scale from 1-10, how active or "developed" is your gifting in that area? What are some of the ways that gift can and should be a blessing to other members of the church and to the church as a whole? Who is at least one other person in your life that is gifted in that area and what are you learning from watching or talking with them? (Each individual)

3. Speaking, Praying, In Tongues, In The Spirit

Acts 2:1-6

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

Romans 8:26-28

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:2; 4a; 5a; 15

2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself

5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues

15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn presented two categories for experiencing what the bible calls "tongues/in the Spirit". The first category was a "Gift Of God" that would be used primarily in public and that requires an interpretation in order to provide public profit. The second category was a "Discipline" that would be used primarily in private or in small groups as prayer not requiring interpretation. He told us that both require development as neither consist of a believer being "overtaken". Some people report the language beginning from nothing in a powerful moment of God's presence and help and others report taking baby steps as they intentionally try to speak with unrecognizable words. Both groups have an ongoing development though regardless of how they start.

Do these categories make sense? What does the church gain from embracing tongues/Spirit and interpretation and what does the church lose if they don't? What does an individual gain if they pray in tongues/Spirit and what do they lose if they don't? What are the challenges for you/some in this area? What can individuals and the church do to overcome these challenges? (Group Discussion - Consider all the above as parts of the discussion)

4. A Prophetic Last Session Of Life Groups

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn told us that Prophecy isn't only speaking about "specific" future events that will take place in the lives of people or groups. Prophecy is also speaking the "general" truth of the word of God into individual lives and groups in areas that it has not yet come to pass. What is a promise or word or verse from God that you would like to pray/speak over this Life Group as we begin the last session of gatherings for 2025? (Each individual)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!