Key Points:

• A right / healthy relationship with God is the foundation for right / healthy relationships with others.
• Conviction of sin is a gift that reveals God's grace at work in our lives preparing us to change course.
• It is our response to sin that will either quality or disqualify us to be included in God's family and participate in God's purposes.
• When seeking forgiveness, justice is not on our side. Our only hope is to appeal to the mercy and love of God.
• Unforgiven sin separates us from God, robs us of joy and gladness, crushes our bones, and sabotages our purpose.
• Receiving forgiveness restores our relationship with God, increases our joy and gladness, gives life to our bodies, and frees us to fulfill God's purpose.
• God will not forgive what we are willing to tolerate, justify, or hide.
• True forgiveness moves us beyond behavior modification to heart transformation.

Prayer:

• Come, Holy Spirit, and stir in our hearts the gift of conviction. Increase our awareness of any sinful thoughts, attitudes, or actions that are hindering our relationship with you, ourselves, or others. Expose any sins of omission - the good we have failed to do. Holy Father, prepare our hearts to respond and receive by grace through faith your gracious forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What consequences of sin am I noticing in my life?
• How am I experiencing God's gracious conviction of sin?
• How have I been hiding, justifying, rationalizing, or accepting my sin?
• Am I ready to respond to God's invitation with confession and repentance? Am I ready to trust God for cleansing, forgiveness, and transformation?

Scriptures:

• Psalm 51

Key Points:

• God speaks to disciples from the inside out. "Our life is connected to our listening. Our living is connected to our hearing."
• Clarity often follows after obedience. The more we listen and obey, the easier it becomes to discern the Spirit's leading.
• Spiritual discernment is relational and wholistic. It is often more art than science...and it's okay to use your Spirit-infused mind.
• Spiritual discernment is best done in community.
• When the Spirit speaks, He will be aligned with Scripture and pointing toward Jesus.
• Spiritual discernment requires a willingness to be surprised.

Quotes:

• "If it resonates with the character of Jesus ('gentle and humble in heart' [Matt. 11:29]), evidences the fruit of the Spirit, and rings true to God's love and Word, then take a step of faith and see what happens." - Dan Wilt

Scriptures:

• Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:26-41, Acts 15:22-41
• John 14:16-17
• 1 Corinthians 2:16

Key Points:

• The Spirit of God often moves uniquely when God's people gather in one place together.
• God calls all people to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
• God calls all people to serve God's mission.
• The Holy Spirit fills and empowers all who surrender to serve God's mission.
• Our response to God's call impacts generations.

Reflection Questions:

• When / how did you respond to God's call to salvation?
• When / how have you responded to God's call to mission / service?
• When have you been blessed by someone else responding to God's call to mission / service?
• How is God calling you? How are you responding? How are you trusting the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you?

Scriptures:

• Acts 2:1-41