THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. This past weekend, we celebrated BAPTISM. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change that takes place in our lives after we place our faith and trust in Christ. Lowering into the water symbolizes dying to our old life without God. We are then raised to a new life to live like Christ. If you or someone in your group is ready to take the step to be baptized, start a conversation HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This month, our focus is on the theme of SHARING YOUR FAITH. With your group, discuss your comfort level with sharing your faith. If you could use a brush up on conversational skills related to sharing your faith, consider reviewing our training on Right Now Media, The Gospel & Your Story. (Get a free Right Now Media account HERE.)
GROW AS A LEADER. Alongside this sermon series, we will have new episodes of the BEYOND THE WEEKEND PODCAST! Whether you’re looking to better understand the biblical context, enrich your engagement with the sermon or engage more deeply with God’s Word, the Beyond the Weekend Podcast helps strengthen the bridge between weekend services and everyday living. It is a great resource for small groups. Check it out HERE. Have your group submit their questions about the sermons HERE. Your question could be answered on the podcast!
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to week two of our sermon series, ENEMIES OF THE SOUL. This week, we explore how internal desires and cravings can work against our spiritual growth as we examine “the flesh” —one of the key enemies we face.
ICEBREAKER
What’s the strangest food combination you secretly love? (Like pickles and peanut butter or potato chips in your sandwich.)
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Galatians 5:13-21 aloud.
How would you summarize the main conflict Paul describes in this passage?
What’s the connection Paul makes between freedom and how we treat others?
What do you think “walking by the Spirit” looks like in everyday life?
Considering this passage as a whole, what encourages or challenges you the most?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer continued our series, ENEMIES OF THE SOUL, by discussing how “the flesh” works against spiritual growth. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
How do you see people in our culture pursuing distorted or disordered desires? What makes these pursuits so appealing?
Pastor Aaron shared Augustine’s quote: “We either love the wrong things or the right things in the wrong order.” Which of these do you struggle with more, and why?
Have someone read Romans 7:19 aloud. When have you experienced the internal conflict Paul describes between what your flesh wants and what the Spirit wants? What helped you navigate that struggle?
Have someone read Romans 8:5 aloud. What spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible reading, solitude, community, fasting, celebration, sabbath) could you focus on this week to help “set your mind on what the Spirit desires”? How can our group support you?
Share about someone you know who consistently demonstrates living by the Spirit rather than the flesh. What stands out to you about their life and choices?
Pastor Aaron emphasized that we need to crucify, or put to death, our sinful desires and not just try to manage them. What’s one area where you need to stop managing sin and fight it by putting it to death? How can you take decisive action?
How can our group support and encourage each other in the battles with our flesh we named this week?
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed how the flesh works as an enemy of our soul and how we can fight against it through the Spirit’s power. What from this conversation challenged or encouraged you the most? How do you want to respond?