Community Groups Questions
September 24, 2023
“You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit“

Read Acts 1:4-8
  1. The cross equals forgiveness, the resurrection equals life, what does the ascension equal? Why does the ascension equal empowering?
  2. What did Pastor Gary say the word “ baptism“ means? (Answer: “to be overwhelmed with, saturated with, permeated by, dipped into; absorbing the very character of the element something is dipped into — like fabric that is dipped into purple dye deeply absorbs the purple color.
  3. Why do you think Christ used the metaphor of wanting to baptize/immerse his people with/in the Holy Spirit?
  4. Pastor Gary said that Jesus wants to baptize us into the Person, Passion, and Power of the Spirit. What does this mean, why is this so important?

Read Joel 2:28-29
  1. Why is Joel 2:28, 29 such an important promise? How did this first change and expand to the landscape for those who could receive, and being powered by the Spirit?
  2. Have you had an experience where Jesus baptized you into his Spirit? What was that like? What changes took place in your life after this? What kind of changes should a person expect to happen when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit according to the scriptures?

Read John 7:37-38
  1. John 7:37, 38 tells followers of Jesus how they can experience the Holy Spirit and have his powerful life flow out through them. What steps are mentioned in this verse that enable a person to experience the empowering and outflow of the Holy Spirit?
  2. Pastor Gary said that every believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling them from the moment they come to Christ and are converted. He also said every believer has access to an even greater dimension of being immersed in and filled with the Holy Spirit, but they must choose to “get in the pool“ and receive that blessing. What is a way that you could “get into the pool” of experiencing the empowering of the Spirit this week?
  3. Pray for your Frances! Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Coworkers, Enemies, Strangers!