SESSION 5
ONE SOURCE
The Holy Spirit
How can I live a life that honors God?
In Session 4, we learned that our relationship with God is permanent. Even
if we occasionally stray, sin does not permanently damage our relationship
with God. We can be restored to the joy of our new life in Christ by
confessing our sin and turning back to God.
But it would be even better to consistently see victory over sin! How can
we consistently live in a way that pleases the Lord? In this lesson, we will
learn several important principles which will help you grow in obedience
to Christ.
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EXPLORE
Think about a time when you went through a challenging experience at
work, in the family, with your health, finances, etc. Who were the people
who provided you with the kind of support you needed to get through and
overcome your challenge? How did they help you? Take turns sharing in
your small group.
LEARNING NUGGET
No one is truly ever a "self-made" man or woman. We all need someone's
help and support at times. Some challenges prove too great for overcoming
just by our lonesome selves. Jesus promised his disciples Someone who
will always be with them to help them in their times of need. In fact, we
will not be able to overcome the battles of our soul without the help of this
promised One--the Holy Spirit.
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EXAMINE
HOW TO LIVE VICTORIOUSLY
We please God when we consistently overcome temptation and learn to
follow Jesus as a way of life. But how do we live a victorious life?
Know the Three Primary Sources of Temptation
A. The World
Read Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:9–11
1. How are we conformed to the world system? How do we avoid
being conformed to it?
The World System
In this verse, what Paul refers to is how our society and
culture thinks, and how this tends to turn us away from the
Lord. For instance, we often think an action is wrong only
if we are caught (like running a red light when no traffic
enforcer is present, or cheating on an exam, or telling a
“white lie”). Because our society accepts it (“everyone is
doing it”), we think it is OK. But God’s Word calls lying, and
cheating and breaking the law sin, whether or not you are
caught.
As the song says, “God is watching us,” even if no one
else ever knows. The Bible says it even more clearly: “For
His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his
steps. There is no darkness or deep shadow where the
workers of iniquity may hide themselves.” (Job 34:21-22)
We should have our minds renewed by the Word of God,
the Bible, so that we will no longer be conformed to this
world’s way of thinking.
Book 1: ONE BY ONE
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B. The Flesh
Read James 1:13–16, 2 Timothy 2:22
2. What is the source of our temptation? What is the process of the
temptation becoming sin? How should we stop the process? What
should we do when we find ourselves tempted to sin?
C. The Devil
Read Ephesians 6:10–12
Take note of what instruction God's Word gives us on winning against
the devil and his forces.
Use the Right Strategy
The Bible outlines several important strategies that we should make use
of to avoid sin:
The Bible and prayer to counter the world
Read Luke 11:1–4
3. Why do you think Jesus included the words “lead us not into
temptation and deliver us from evil” at the end of His model prayer
for us? What is the role of prayer in overcoming temptation in our
lives?
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Flee from lust
Read 1 Corinthians 15:33–34
4. People. According to these verses, what danger is there in
spending a lot of time with people who don’t follow Christ? Who
are the people you normally spend the most time with? Do they
encourage you to follow Christ?
Resist the devil
Read Ephesians 6:10–12, James 4:7, and 1 Corinthians 10:13
5. Who is our enemy in the spiritual battle we are in? How do we win
that battle? What should we do when the devil tempts us? What
does God promise to do for us?
Be controlled by the Holy Spirit in all situations
Read Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:5–6
Many people misunderstand who the Holy Spirit is. They think of Him
as an inanimate force, like the “force” in Star Wars. Actually, the Holy
Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. He is one of the Persons
of the Godhead, coequal with the Father and the Son. Because He is
God, He is all-knowing, all-powerful and omnipresent. He helps us in
our difficulties. He comforts us. He guides us into truth.
And most importantly, He lives within us and gives us the power to
obey Christ. It has been said that it is impossible to live the Christian
life; this is one of the ironies of Christianity. But through the indwelling
power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to obey Him. The Holy Spirit
makes the impossible possible!
Book 1: ONE BY ONE
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6. What is the result of being controlled by the Spirit?
What is the difference between a person controlled by the Spirit
and one controlled by their sinful nature?
Read Ephesians 5:18
7. What does this verse command us to do? Will God fill you with His
Spirit if you ask Him to?
What does it mean to be ‘filled with the Spirit’?
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul contrasts being filled with the Spirit with being
drunk with wine. People who are drunk are unable to control their actions.
Ask them to walk a straight line and they can’t. They are “under the
influence” of the alcohol they have consumed.
In a sense, a Christian who is filled with the Holy Spirit is “under the
influence” of God Himself. The normal way of life we once experienced has
now changed. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience
to His desires, not our own. We are controlled and empowered by the Holy
Spirit to act in accordance to His will.
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EXPERIENCE
Take a moment now to ask God to fill you with His Spirit so that you can
begin seeing victory over sin in your life.
First, confess any sin which you have committed against the Lord. Claim
His promise in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to
forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Then, on the basis of His command to you in Ephesians 5:18, ask Him
to fill you with the Holy Spirit so that you can obey and please the Lord
through His power, not your own. Tell Him that you sincerely desire for Him
to control your life, and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live moment
by moment for Him.
EQUIP
On-the-Job Training (30 minutes)
Share your one-minute testimony and the gospel to someone in your
workplace this week. If he or she gives a positive response to the gospel,
do a follow-up meeting with him or her within 48 hours. Use Book 1: One
by One in your follow up and subsequent meetings.
Book 1: ONE BY ONE
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