+ The Good Life

Holy Spirit Weekend - Alpha

Alpha Ministry suggests a Holy Spirit Weekend, where we explore how the Holy Spirit is as work in the lives of various people, and explore how the Holy Spirit desires to work in our life.

Who is the Holy Spirit? - Lesson 1

What was your concept of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost, Spirit of God) before watching this video? Has your opinion changed at all?

1. Nicky talks about the work of the Holy Spirit & how He still changes lives today. Have you seen a difference in your life or in others who became Christians? (peace, freedom from addictions, broken relationships restored, etc)
2. Nicky says that “rivers of living water” will flow through us. How can we show God’s forgiveness, hope, acceptance, love, healing to others?
3. What are some ways we can focus on the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Holy Spirit? (pray, read Bible, music, meditate, etc)
4. In the video, Nicky explains what happened on the Day of Pentecost and speaking in tongues. Have you heard of this before? What are your thoughts?

What does the Holy Spirit Do? - Lesson 2

Have your parents shared with you any stories about the day you were born? Anything out of the ordinary? Can you share them with us? 

1. What do you think about this idea of being “born of the Spirit” or “born again”?
2. How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives even if we are not Christian? (convicts us of sin & our need for Jesus, convinces us of Truth, helps us put our faith in Jesus)
3. What changes have you noticed in your life since beginning your spiritual journey / or since becoming a Christian? (attitude, values, desires, character)“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22
4. Nicky said that one of the benefits of being adopted into God’s family is having ‘new brothers and sisters’ and that we need to ‘make every effort to keep the unity’ (Ephesians 4:3). What are some ways we can keep the unity?
5. How does the Holy Spirit help us develop our relationship with God? (The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and to understand God’s )

How Can I be Filled with the Holy Spirit? - Lesson 3

Share with us if you’ve ever had a supernatural experience and you knew it was God speaking to you at that moment?

1.  Nicky talked about the Day of Pentecost and people being filled with the Spirit and speaking ‘in tongues’. What are your feelings about this?
2. What are some reasons a person might be hesitant to being filled with the Holy Spirit? (fear, doubt, inadequacy, etc)
3. What do you think is the difference between ‘expressing our emotions’ and ‘emotionalism’? How do you determine what is going too far?
4. Nicky mentions Holy Spirit might work through us a) Praise & worship; b) Praying under pressure; c) Praying for others. How do you see the Holy Spirit helping you pray in these times.
5. If God already knows our thoughts, why do you think He gave us the ability to speak ‘in other tongues’?

How can I make the most of the rest of my Life? - Lesson 4

Are you the type of person to set goals and make resolutions or do you prefer to be spontaneous in life?

1. In what ways does the world try to squeeze us into its mould? How can we resist this pressure?
2. The Biblical context of a sexual relationship is within the lifelong commitment in marriage between one man and one woman. What dangers are there in going outside these boundaries?
3. What would you say to someone who has crossed these boundaries and now regrets what he/she has done? (if not Christian, become a “new creation”, fresh start, born again; if Christian, confess, accept God’s forgiveness)
4. Nicky said, “Until we leave the rubbish behind, we cannot enjoy the wonderful things God has for us.” What are some examples of these rubbish things in life?
5. What are some practical ways we can make the most of our lives in these areas Nicky mentioned: time –relationship with God & others; ambitions, possessions & money, body – ears, eyes, mouth, hands
6. The Bible mentions numerous times that God loves us and wants the very best for our lives. Why is it sometimes difficult to believe this? (we believe the devil’s lies instead)

Why and How should I read the Bible? - Alpha 6

Name a favorite book you read as a child or adult, and why you liked it so much.

1. Has anyone ever tried reading the Bible? How did it go?
2. What do you find difficult, if anything, about reading the Bible?
3. What do you find easy or helpful about reading the Bible?

1. If you've read any part of the Bible, what were your initial thoughts?
2. What do you feel about the statement that the Bible is the “manual for life?”
3. Have you read a modern translation of the Bible? Did you find it easier to understand?
4. Jesus had the opinion that “What the Scriptures said, God said”. Do you share this opinion?
5. What topics does the Bible mention that relates to us today?
6. In Nicky’s talk, he described the Bible as a love letter. Do you see it as a “love letter” or more of a “rule book”?
7. Have you ever had the experience when reading the Bible, that you felt God was saying something specifically to you?
8. Have you ever read anything in the Bible that changed your thoughts or actions?
9. What is your biggest take away from today?

Why and How do I pray? - Alpha 5

What a couple major stresses or challenges you are going through right now?

1. Have you  ever tried praying? How did it go?
2. If God knows our needs, why should we pray about them?
3. What are some good reasons we may not always get what we pray for?
4. Can you think of a time or know of an incident where prayer really did change circumstances?

1. What interests or intrigues you the most about prayer?
2. Was there an illustration/story from the message that stood out to you?
3. Nicky gave various examples of what to pray for/ Which of these do you relate to: crisis, protection, guidance, spiritual hunger, etc.
4. What major ingredients does prayer need to include, according to Jesus’ example in the Bible (Matthew 6:9-13)?  (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication/asking)
5. Have you ever seen coincidences happen when you pray?
6. What thoughts do you have about the idea of God listening to your prayers?
7. In the talk, various reasons for praying are given. Which do you relate to and why?
8. What is your biggest take away from the message?

Let’s take an opportunity in your group to bring concerns to God in prayer. Let’s go around the group and each pray one or two simple sentences, maybe about the stresses we shared at the beginning. If you’d rather not pray, feel free to just tell the person next to you, “I’ll pass, go ahead” and that’s perfectly fine.” 

How can I have faith - Alpha 4

If you were filling out a form that asked your religion, what would you write?

1. What are your earliest impressions of God?
2. What do you think it means to have a “relationship” with God?
3. Look for an illustration/story that stands out to you?

1. Thinking about the portrait of Jesus and the door with no handle on Jesus’ side, how do you feel/think about this?
2. How would you characterize your relationship with God?
3. When it is said that Christianity will make a change in your character, how do you feel?
4. Nicky said that it is important to base our faith on the promises of the Bible rather than on our own feelings. Why is that so important? 
5. What were some of the promises in the Bible that Nicky talks about? Which of those promises is most meaningful for you?
6. Do you think it is arrogant of someone to say they are sure they are going to heaven?
7. What are some examples of people trying to be ‘good enough’ for God to be pleased with them?
8. Nicky said the Holy Spirit helps us to be sure of our faith in Christ, because we see changes in our lives. What changes have you experienced in your character or relationships with others (little or significant)?
9. Last week we talked about “Why did Jesus Die?”. Today Nicky spoke about that again. How is the death of Jesus relevant to a relationship with God?
10. What is your biggest take away from the message?

Why Did Jesus Die? - Alpha 3

1. Was there an illustration/story from the message that stood out to you?
2. What is your reaction to the crucifixion of Jesus?
3. What is the difference between the death of Jesus and the death of Socrates, one of the martyrs, or a war hero?
4. Do you feel that sin is an outdated concept or is it something you think about?
5. How do you respond to the word “sin” and the word “forgiveness?”
6. What else do we tend to put our trust in?
7. In the video, Nicky said “sin is the greatest problem that confronts people today.” What is your understanding of ‘sin’?
8. Nicky talked about the power of sin, that we become ‘slaves to sin’. Would you agree that sin is addictive and destructive? How so?
9. What are some examples of sin that you see in our world today, individually, locally, globally? (Also physical, emotional, social, etc)
10. What are your thoughts about the penalty for sin. Should all sin be punished in some way? Even our own?
11. Jesus took our place on the cross, not just so we can go to heaven, but so that our quality of life on earth would be very different. How so? (freedom from sin, forgiveness, clean conscience, relationship with God, peace, joy, healing, future secure) 7. How would you answer someone who said that “God is unjust because He punished Jesus, an innocent party, instead of us?” (I & the Father are one, John 10:30; I am in the Father & Father in me, John 14:10,11)
12. What is your biggest take away from the message?