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

Key Points:

• Walking in holiness is something that can only be done wholistically in our bodies.
• Walking in holiness requires:
  • Abandoning the unbiblical separation of physical and spiritual transformation.
  • Embracing the wholistic - body, mind, soul, & spirit - calling to walk in holiness.
• Practical Tips for Walking in Holiness:
  • Worship and pray with your body.
  • Fuel your body for holy love.
  • Receive the gift of limits.
  • Consecrate your body.

Reflection Questions:

1. Am I caring for my body in a way that fuels holy love?

Scriptures:

• Matthew 4:18-20
• Isaiah 35:8
• 2 Corinthians 7:1
• Romans 12:1
• 1 Peter 1:13-16
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Key Points:

• Stuff happens. Walking through suffering, trials, and pain is an unavoidable part of being human.
• Salvation happens. Walking through the hard stuff of life with God cultivates fear (humility) and trust (intimacy / connection).

Reflection Questions:

1. Where is there evidence of God’s presence and action?
2. What might God be trying to teach me about himself?
3. How is this situation revealing sin, unresolved pain/wounds, weakness or needs in me?
4. How is my frustration or discouragement revealing the gap between what I say I believe and what I actually believe?
5. How is God speaking through His Word, His people or His Spirit?
6. How is God inviting me to trust Him in new ways?
7. What step could I take to demonstrate my trust in God?

Scriptures:

• Exodus 14:10-14, 21-22, 26-31, 15:19

Key Points:

• The destination for heavenly creatures is the Kingdom of God. The destination for hellish creatures is the Kingdom of Satan.

Reflection Questions:

1. Am I walking toward bondage or freedom? Self-indulgence or self-surrender?
2. Am I walking toward earning or grace? Self-righteous rule-following or righteousness by grace through faith?
3. Am I walking toward fear or love? Self-protection or vulnerability?
4. Am I walking toward acts of the flesh or fruit of the Spirit? Gratifying the flesh or walking by the Spirit?
5. If this decision became the pattern of my life, would it make me more or less like Jesus? If I kept walking in this direction consistently, would it lead me to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Satan?

Scriptures:

• Galatians 5:1, 4-6
• Galatians 5:13-26

The Gospel in 3 Parts:

1. For God so loved, that He gave His one and only Son
2. And this is eternal life, that they know You
3. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters

Scriptures:

• Psalm 63
• Matthew 13:44
• John 3:16
• John 17:3
• 1 John 3:16
• John 1:12
• Romans 8:14, 17
• Matthew 3:16
• Matthew 4:1-4
• John 13:1-5
• Matthew 11:25-30
• Philippians 3
• Matthew 7:21-23
• 1 Chronicles 28:9
• John 15:1-17

Key Points:

• "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows." - Bill Gaither
• Equipment for walking with God --> trekking poles, shoes, backpack, thermos, first aid kit, nourishment
• The Body of Christ helps us "look alive."
• Pray always. Walk within limits. Expect heaven.
• The "Walking with Jesus" Guidebook: Jude
  • 6 Images of the Weakened Church:
    • Unreasoning animals
    • Hidden reef
    • Clouds without rain --> No fruit & uprooted
    • Autumn trees
    • Wild waves
    • Wandering stars
  • 3 Examples:
    • The Way of Cain - Jealousy
    • The Error of Balaam - Disobedience
    • The Rebellion of Korah - Power struggles in the body of Christ
• He is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy.

Scriptures:

• Matthew 8
• Matthew 7:13-14
• Ephesians 6:15
• Jude