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Inglewood First UMC reflects on the sermon and scripture from the previous Sunday’s worship . Below, you fill find questions that can be used for Bible Study, small groups or personal devotion. Let the scripture speak in to your life! Expect great things!
Opening Prayer
We gather here today to grow, learn and change as a group. As we begin our Bible study, we ask that you help all of us to gain a better understanding of your truth. We lay down our hearts, minds and lives before you. We ask that you move among us and help us to feel safe with one another: to think, ask for help and to question. Helps us to share our life with you and grow in our knowledge of your Word. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Scripture: Romans 5:1-5 (Common English Bible)
Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness,[a] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand through him, and we boast in the hope of God’s glory. 3 But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 5 This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Summary:
Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the church, when believers of different cultures and languages were filled with the Holy Spirit and became one in the Lord. The church’s faith was born through the fire of the Holy Spirit. Every believer wants to grow in faith. Pentecost shows us that faith grows through fire!
The stresses of our lives lead many of us to burn out before we reach our potential. The Holy Spirit, however, empowers and shows us the way to endurance and empowerment.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- In this letter, Paul tells the church that “we take pride in our problems” because of the fruits of the spirit (endurance, character, hope) that come from them. Andrae’ Crouch sang “If I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve them.” Is there such a thing as a “good problem?” Have you ever been thankful to God for a problem in your life?
- What does this scripture teach you about faith?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?
Discipleship Huddle Questions:
- How is it with your soul?
- How does your soul prosper?
Closing Prayer
We give you thanks, Oh God, that your love is more than we could attempt to comprehend. We trust that you are a God of wisdom, truth, and love that has been displayed in the person of Christ and that enlivens us today. Fill us with the fire of your Holy Spirit. Stir up the gift within us. That we may grow in faith in you. Amen.