Kingdom Tension Part 11 with Discussion Guide

Kingdom Tension Part 11 Discussion Guide

Summary

In this sermon, we discuss the concept of walking by the Spirit from Galatians 5:13-18. We explore what true freedom means for Christians – not the freedom to do whatever we want, but the freedom found in following God’s way. The sermon uses the story of Enoch from Genesis as an example of someone who ‘walked with God’ in such a close relationship that he pleased God. The message emphasizes that real freedom comes when we choose to follow God rather than indulging our flesh, and that walking by the Spirit means keeping in step with God daily.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us understand what it truly means to walk by Your Spirit and find freedom in following You. Guide our conversation, deepen our relationships with one another, and draw us closer to You. May we leave this discussion with a renewed commitment to keep in step with Your Spirit in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s the funniest or most memorable joke you’ve heard recently that made you laugh out loud?

Key Verses

Galatians 5:16
Galatians 5:13
Genesis 5:24
Hebrews 11:5
Ephesians 4:1

Questions

The pastor said, ‘Real freedom is found when we follow God.’ How does this challenge our culture’s definition of freedom? Can you share an example from your own life?
What does it mean to you personally to ‘walk by the Spirit’ in your everyday life?
In the sermon, we heard about Enoch who ‘walked with God.’ What do you think that looked like practically in his life, and what might it look like in ours?
The pastor mentioned the tension between grace and holiness. How do you find balance between these two in your own spiritual journey?
The sermon highlighted how Enoch ‘pleased God’ through his faith. What do you think it means to live in a way that pleases God today?
The pastor shared a story about fixing the sound system and wishing he had started with prayer. Can you share a time when you tried to solve a problem on your own before turning to God?
How might your daily decisions and habits change if you were more intentional about ‘keeping in step with the Spirit’?
The sermon emphasized that God wants a partnership with us, not to control us like puppets. How does this understanding of relationship with God impact how you approach following Him?

Life Application

This week, commit to starting each day with a simple prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide your steps. Before making decisions or solving problems, pause to pray first rather than immediately relying on your own understanding or resources. Keep a small journal noting the differences you observe when you intentionally try to ‘walk by the Spirit’ versus when you forge ahead on your own. At the end of the week, reflect on how this practice affected your sense of freedom and connection with God.

Key Takeaways

True freedom is found not in having unlimited choices but in following God’s way that leads to our ultimate good.
Walking by the Spirit means living in close relationship with God, following His guidance in our daily lives.
Like Enoch, we can live in such close fellowship with God that our lives please Him.
We need to balance grace and holiness in our Christian walk, avoiding extremes in either direction.
God desires partnership with us, not control over us – He wants relationship more than robotic obedience.

Ending Prayer

Lord God, thank You for the freedom we find in walking with You. We confess that we often try to solve problems on our own strength before turning to You. Help us to keep in step with Your Spirit this week, starting each day with prayer and seeking Your guidance in all our decisions. May we, like Enoch, walk so closely with You that our lives please You. Give us wisdom to balance grace and holiness, and remind us that You desire relationship with us above all. Transform our understanding of freedom as we yield to Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.