Wk 6 // October 11 & 12

Wk 6  //  GOD’S MASTERPIECE
October 11 & 12, 2025
Small Group Study


SERMON RECAP

Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.

TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.

• What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
• Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
• Was there anything that challenged you?

INTRODUCTION

• Share about a time when you acted out of emotion or impulse and later wished you had slowed down to think or pray first.
• When was a time you felt completely calm and confident because you knew God was with you?
• What helps you tell the difference between moments when you’re being led by the Spirit and moments when you’re just reacting in the flesh?

Every believer faces the tension between living “in the Spirit” and living “in the flesh.” The Spirit leads us toward peace, patience, and power, while the flesh drags us toward fear, frustration, and self-centeredness. Paul reminds Timothy (and us) that the Spirit God gives doesn’t produce fear, but power, love, and self-control. Let’s unpack what that looks like in real life.


UNDERSTANDING

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 TIMOTHY 1:6–7.
 

• What does Paul mean by “fan into flame the gift of God”?
• How does fear try to extinguish the fire of God’s Spirit in us?
• What does it look like when the Spirit gives you power, love, and self-discipline in everyday life?
  
  

Living “in the Spirit” doesn’t mean life is easy.  It means we have a new power source. The Holy Spirit produces qualities that our flesh never could. Paul calls these the fruit of the Spirit, the evidence that we’re walking with Him.


HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ GALATIANS 5:22–25.
 

• Which fruit of the Spirit do you see most naturally in your life right now?
• Which one do you need God’s help to grow in?
• What are some practical ways to “keep in step with the Spirit”?
• Why do you think the works of the flesh come so easily while the fruit of the Spirit takes intentional growth?
  
  

When we allow the Spirit to shape our character, it changes the way we respond to the world. We move from fear to faith, from insecurity to confidence, and from self-focus to Christlike love. The Spirit gives ordinary people extraordinary boldness.


HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ ACTS 4:13–14.
 

• Why were Peter and John so confident, even though they were described as “unschooled and ordinary”?
• What does it mean to have a reputation of “being with Jesus”?
• How might your time with Jesus this week prepare you to respond differently to fear, temptation, or opposition?
  
  

The early disciples didn’t rely on education, credentials, or experience.  They relied on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. When you live “in the Spirit,” the difference is noticeable. People can tell you’ve been with Jesus.


HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 TIMOTHY 1:13–14.
 

• What does it mean to “keep” or “guard” the good deposit entrusted to you?
• How can we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us live faithfully in a world that constantly pulls us toward the flesh?
• How can we encourage each other to guard what God has placed in us?
  
  

When we live in the Spirit, we protect and nurture the truth that God has planted in our hearts. We choose discipline over distraction, courage over comfort, and faith over fear.


APPLICATION

• Where do you see the struggle between Spirit and flesh most clearly in your life right now?
• What’s one area this week where you can intentionally “walk in the Spirit” instead of reacting in the flesh?
• How can this group pray for you to live with more power, love, and self-control this week?
  
  

Living in the Spirit isn’t about perfection.  It’s about connection. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more His Spirit shines through us. Like Peter and John, we may be “unschooled and ordinary,” but when we’ve been with Jesus, the world can tell.


PRAYER

Pray that each person in the group would live filled with the Spirit this week, walking in power, love, and self-discipline.  Pray for courage to reject fear and for eyes to recognize moments when the flesh tries to take over.  Ask God to make your group a reflection of His presence; ordinary people who have unmistakably been with Jesus.