Abide - Part 5: The Holy Spirit is a Teacher

God has prepared wonderful things for those who love him, and our teacher, the Holy Spirit loves to reveals them to us. However, our reliance on the wisdom of men, and our own pride and arrogance, often keep us from being humble enough to learn from him. The Holy Spirit longs to teach us all that we need, if only we will move from immaturity and pride, toward maturity and humility so we can position ourselves as learners. Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-5 & 14-17, Ezekiel 47:1-12 Life Group Questions: 1) Why should our faith rest in the power of God instead of the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 2:5)? 2) What is more common for you – listening to the wisdom of the world around you, or listening to God’s viewpoint on a subject? What obstacles make it difficult to know God’s wisdom instead of listening to the wisdom of the world? 3) How can we cultivate a heart and mind that is open to being taught by God, instead of trust our own intellect or the wisdom of men? 4) Read 1 Corinthians 2:13-14. What do you think Paul means when describing the spiritual man verses the natural man? How can we be “those who are spiritual”? (see: 1 Timothy 3:1-5) 5) What role does the Bible play in learning from the Holy Spirit? (see: 1 Timothy 3:14-17). How can the Holy Spirit help us learn from the Bible? 6) In Ezekiel 47 there is a description of moving further and further into a river – from ankle deep, to knee deep, to waist deep, to swimming. Where do you think you are right now in going after the things of God? What would it look like for you to take another step deeper? What might keep you from doing that? 7) In Ezekiel the River flows and begins to touch all kinds of things (Ezekiel 47:8-12). What are the results described in the passage? What do you thing that would like in your own life? Have you ever seen the results of surrendering to the Holy Spirit and learning from him? 8) What is something specific you think God might be asking you to do in response to this discussion? How could you do that this week?