Cornerstone’s 40 Days of Experiencing More of the Spirit
WEEK 6: Filled with the Spirit
Using chapters 10-12 of Alan Kraft’s book “more” and the message from Doug on Sunday, respond to the following questions before going to your group.
Breaking the Ice
If this past week was a movie ...
It would be a tragedy.
It would be a comedy.
It would be a dubbed, out-of-sync foreign film.
I’d want to see it again and again.
I’d ask the theater manager for my money back.
Other: ______________________________
Explain your answer.
Briefly, in just a couple of minutes ...
Look over your notes from the message. Was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or spoke to you personally?
Did it raise any questions or create any push-back for you?
If you read chapters 10-12 in the book “more”, how did your reading complement and deepen your understanding of this week’s theme?
Exploring God’s Word
Don’t feel pressured to answer every question.
Prior to hearing this message, what experiences, thoughts, etc., have come to mind when you hear the term “Spirit-filled?”
Why do we often respond negatively to other people’s spiritual manifestations that are outside of our comfort zone or personal experience?
Doug highlighted the two words in the New Testament translated “filling” of the Spirit: pimplemi and plero-o.
In your own words, how would you describe what’s involved in experiencing the filling of the Spirit in these two ways?
Read aloud Ephesians 5:18–20, making general observations of these verses, specifically what they tell us about the plero-o filling of the Spirit.
What role do surrender and thanksgiving play in this process?
How can you be more intentional about developing these things in your everyday life?
In what specific areas of your life have you posted a “Do Not Enter” sign as it relates to the ministry and presence of the Spirit?
What might it look like to invite Him into these areas?
Read aloud Luke 1:67; Acts 4:31, where the word “filling” is pimplemi.
How does this filling differ from what we saw in Ephesians 5?
Have you ever had an experience of the Spirit filling you like this? If so, describe it for your group.
Making It Real
Read aloud Ephesians 3:16-21. On a scale of 0-5, how completely open are your sails up and ready for the wind of the Holy Spirit?
Not open at all Open and ready
0 1 2 3 4 5
Why did you rate yourself the way you did?
In what ways might you open your sails more fully to the Spirit?
What could it look like for you to experience the filling of the Spirit in community?
If you’re processing this message with others, discuss the level to which you are experiencing this together, and how you might grow together in this experience.
What’s one area where you long for the Spirit to do immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine?
How could your group join with you in praying for the Spirit to accomplish this?
Prayer and Group Support
In advance of praying for specific requests, spend some time praying for more of the Spirit’s presence and power in the life of members of your group, as well as in your group as a whole. Also pray for those longings that were shared above.
Breaking the Ice
If this past week was a movie ...
It would be a tragedy.
It would be a comedy.
It would be a dubbed, out-of-sync foreign film.
I’d want to see it again and again.
I’d ask the theater manager for my money back.
Other: ______________________________
Explain your answer.
Briefly, in just a couple of minutes ...
Look over your notes from the message. Was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or spoke to you personally?
Did it raise any questions or create any push-back for you?
If you read chapters 10-12 in the book “more”, how did your reading complement and deepen your understanding of this week’s theme?
Exploring God’s Word
Don’t feel pressured to answer every question.
Prior to hearing this message, what experiences, thoughts, etc., have come to mind when you hear the term “Spirit-filled?”
Why do we often respond negatively to other people’s spiritual manifestations that are outside of our comfort zone or personal experience?
Doug highlighted the two words in the New Testament translated “filling” of the Spirit: pimplemi and plero-o.
In your own words, how would you describe what’s involved in experiencing the filling of the Spirit in these two ways?
Read aloud Ephesians 5:18–20, making general observations of these verses, specifically what they tell us about the plero-o filling of the Spirit.
What role do surrender and thanksgiving play in this process?
How can you be more intentional about developing these things in your everyday life?
In what specific areas of your life have you posted a “Do Not Enter” sign as it relates to the ministry and presence of the Spirit?
What might it look like to invite Him into these areas?
Read aloud Luke 1:67; Acts 4:31, where the word “filling” is pimplemi.
How does this filling differ from what we saw in Ephesians 5?
Have you ever had an experience of the Spirit filling you like this? If so, describe it for your group.
Making It Real
Read aloud Ephesians 3:16-21. On a scale of 0-5, how completely open are your sails up and ready for the wind of the Holy Spirit?
Not open at all Open and ready
0 1 2 3 4 5
Why did you rate yourself the way you did?
In what ways might you open your sails more fully to the Spirit?
What could it look like for you to experience the filling of the Spirit in community?
If you’re processing this message with others, discuss the level to which you are experiencing this together, and how you might grow together in this experience.
What’s one area where you long for the Spirit to do immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine?
How could your group join with you in praying for the Spirit to accomplish this?
Prayer and Group Support
In advance of praying for specific requests, spend some time praying for more of the Spirit’s presence and power in the life of members of your group, as well as in your group as a whole. Also pray for those longings that were shared above.