Key Points:

• The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity - one God in three distinct persons - Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit can be described as a "familiar stranger" (Tyler Staton) or "the forgotten God" (Francis Chan).
• Being people marked by the Spirit of God requires:
  • Working through our discomfort and fear
  • Working through our skepticism and cynicism
  • Working through our sin & shortcomings
  • Working through our apathy & half-heartedness
• What awaits for those who seek after the Holy Spirit?
  • Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control
  • Healing, deliverance, & freedom
  • Guidance, wisdom, discernment, & understanding
  • MORE of the presence of God!
• "Come, Holy Spirit. You are welcome here."

Reflection Questions:

1. When you think about being open to the Holy Spirit, do you feel a sense of anxiety, resistance, or hesitation?
2. When you see the gifts of the Holy Spirit on display, is your gut reaction one of cynicism? Can we learn to land in a place where we don't have to fully understand the Spirit before being open to His movement in our lives?
3. Are there things you need to repent of that might be blocking you from receiving the fullness of the Spirit?
4. Could today be the day you come wholehearted in your walk with Jesus, rather than half-hearted?

Scriptures:

• Genesis 1:1-2
• Acts 2:1-4
• John 7:37-39
• John 1:32
• John 14:26
• John 16:12-15
• Galatians 5:22-26
• Romans 8:6 & 11
• 2 Corinthians 3:17
• 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
• 1 Corinthians 14

Key Points:

• When we don't know God's Word, we begin to conform Jesus to our truth instead of conforming ourselves to His Truth.
• Just as Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples at the table on the night of The Last Supper, He revealed Himself to the travelers at the table in Emmaus.
• Four Fold Pattern of Worship in the Walk to Emmaus:
  1. Gathering: Jesus draws near. His presence is with them.
  2. Word: Jesus speaks and reveals His Word to them.
  3. Response (Table): Their eyes are opened to the presence of Christ.
  4. Sending: The disciples are sent forth to proclaim the Good News that the Lord has really risen!
• Every time the people of God gather to worship, we have the opportunity to experience an Emmaus Road encounter.

Reflection Questions:

1. Lord, how are You drawing near to me today?
2. Lord, there are some 'past tense hope' places in my life. Will You help me walk in real hope?
3. Lord, will You open the eyes of my heart? I want to see You!
4. Lord, where and how are You sending me? Who do You want me to share the Good News with?

Scriptures:

• Luke 24:13-35 NLT
• Proverbs 13:12 NLT
• Isaiah 53:12 NIV
• Luke 22:15-19 NLT

Key Points:

• The "fruitless deeds of darkness" are the result of the darkness within us. The "fruit of light" is the result of Christ transforming our thoughts and desires, which overflows in a new way of living.
• Life Giving Cycle:
  1. Receive God's Truth through God's Word, Spirit, & people.
  2. Ask God to expose every deceitful, idolatrous desire.
  3. Confess, repent, & receive forgiveness.
  4. Surrender to transformation, and take your best next step in the light.
  5. Repeat!

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one area of your life where you repeatedly struggle to walk in the light instead of the darkness?

Scriptures:

• Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:8-13
• John 8:31-32
• John 1:14-15
• 1 John 1:5-10
• Ephesians 4:25 - 5:7