Living and Moving in the Holy Spirit
Part II: Walking in the Spirit
Study Guide Week One
Message for Sunday May 27, 2018
This Week Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Additional Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
Introduction
Jesus and Paul both used many illustrations from agriculture or farming. The reason for that is that the world they lived in was an agricultural society. Everyone understood the principles of farming. In these verses Paul uses the idea of a seed being planted by one person and another person watering that seed. However as every farmer knows it is not the person who plants or the person who waters that causes the seed to grow - it is God. The seed planter and the one watering the seed are necessary channels through which the seed grows. In the same way God uses people as channels to save other people. People are not saved by us but rather through us. Paul makes a point of saying in verse 9 that we are co-workers in God's service. In other words we work together for the same goal that of saving people and building God's kingdom. This concept is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians 6 verse 1. The result is that God will reach other people only if we make ourselves available to Him to be used as channels into other people's lives.
Jesus and Paul both used many illustrations from agriculture or farming. The reason for that is that the world they lived in was an agricultural society. Everyone understood the principles of farming. In these verses Paul uses the idea of a seed being planted by one person and another person watering that seed. However as every farmer knows it is not the person who plants or the person who waters that causes the seed to grow - it is God. The seed planter and the one watering the seed are necessary channels through which the seed grows. In the same way God uses people as channels to save other people. People are not saved by us but rather through us. Paul makes a point of saying in verse 9 that we are co-workers in God's service. In other words we work together for the same goal that of saving people and building God's kingdom. This concept is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians 6 verse 1. The result is that God will reach other people only if we make ourselves available to Him to be used as channels into other people's lives.
Some Background Information
Paul make a big distinction between living by the Spirit (being mature) and living by the flesh (being immature). The example he uses is that of drinking milk like a baby or eating meat like an adult. This idea is also used in Hebrews chapter 5 verse 12 to refer to immaturity. In verse 7 of chapter 1 Paul mentioned that the Corinthians did not lack any spiritual gift. The idea therefore is that the Corinthians did have the Holy Spirit in their lives but they were acting in a non spiritual manner and were therefore immature not mature. The evidence of their immaturity was that they were focused on themselves and not on reaching others. There were arguments and jealousy over who was the greatest and which leader they were following. The focus thus shifted from the harvest field, which according to Matthew 9 verse 37 Jesus said is plentiful, to the arguments and dramas within the church. This is a real danger today. Paul also mentions the idea of rewards in verse 8. Jesus told several parables that indicate there will be rewards for faithfully using what God has given us to reach the harvest. See the additional reading above.
Digging Deeper Questions:
1. Discuss together what it means to be spiritually mature. Come up with a good definition as a group.
6. Come up with a specific strategy and plan to be co-workers in the lives of others around you?
7. Instead of just answering these questions determine to implement the plan you come up with
This Week’s Victory Challenge: Implement together a plan to reach other people through your group.
Paul make a big distinction between living by the Spirit (being mature) and living by the flesh (being immature). The example he uses is that of drinking milk like a baby or eating meat like an adult. This idea is also used in Hebrews chapter 5 verse 12 to refer to immaturity. In verse 7 of chapter 1 Paul mentioned that the Corinthians did not lack any spiritual gift. The idea therefore is that the Corinthians did have the Holy Spirit in their lives but they were acting in a non spiritual manner and were therefore immature not mature. The evidence of their immaturity was that they were focused on themselves and not on reaching others. There were arguments and jealousy over who was the greatest and which leader they were following. The focus thus shifted from the harvest field, which according to Matthew 9 verse 37 Jesus said is plentiful, to the arguments and dramas within the church. This is a real danger today. Paul also mentions the idea of rewards in verse 8. Jesus told several parables that indicate there will be rewards for faithfully using what God has given us to reach the harvest. See the additional reading above.
6. Come up with a specific strategy and plan to be co-workers in the lives of others around you?
7. Instead of just answering these questions determine to implement the plan you come up with
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