Community Group Guide
> Why We Gather
At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.
> Announcements
Join us for Fall Fest on October 25 from 5 PM-7 PM!
Fall Fest is a church-wide celebration for the whole church family! Trunk or Treat + games and booths + a Chili Cook-Off + a petting zoo & more!
We need your help to make Fall Fest happen! You can participate by entering the Chili Cook-Off or hosting a trunk for the Trunk or Treat portion of Fall Fest!
Click here to sign up!
> Give Thanks
Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.
> Scripture Reading
Have someone read Acts 2:1-4
> Discussion Questions
Prayer While You Wait
Before the Holy Spirit came, Jesus’ followers spent about ten days in a room, just praying and waiting. They didn’t know exactly what was coming. Prayer wasn’t a way to make time pass or to get something from God. It was a way to be close to him. Relationships grow through talking, and they fade without it.
Reflection Question: What is something you’re waiting on right now (a decision, a result, a hard season)? What would it look like to treat that waiting as time to get closer to God, instead of time to just get through?
The Spirit Is for Everyone
In the Old Testament, God’s presence showed up as fire, like the burning bush and the flame over the tabernacle. In Acts 2, that same fire rests on each believer, and a rushing wind fills the room. The word for “wind” in Hebrew also means “breath” or “Spirit,” the same breath God used to give Adam life. The message is that God’s presence no longer lives in a building or a sacrifice. It now lives in his people.
Reflection Question: God’s presence lives in you everywhere you go: work, school, home, the grocery store. How might that change the way you see an ordinary day, or the people you run into?
Becoming More Like Jesus Paul describes what a Spirit-filled life looks like in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These aren’t a self-improvement checklist. They’re fruit, which means they grow naturally as we stay connected to Jesus, and the Spirit is the one who grows them.
Reflection Question: Which of those nine words do you most want to see grow in your life? What is one small way you can stay connected to Jesus this week so the Spirit can work on it?
> Confession and Prayer
Reflect and Pray: As we sit with this passage, ask God to bring to mind anything you need to confess or need prayer for. Take a moment to share and pray for one another. Feel free to split up into pairs depending on the group size.
> Leader Form