Living As a New Creation - Who do You say that I am (Wk. 5) (3)

In one paragraph

This session was part of an ongoing series on hearing God's voice, focusing specifically on the gift of prophecy: what it is, whether it is still active today, and how to give and receive a prophetic word responsibly. The teaching drew on several passages from Acts, First Corinthians, First Thessalonians, and First Timothy, and was woven through with personal stories from the group. It closed with...

Read together

1. Acts 2:17-18 Peter quoting Joel 2, used to establish that God pours out His Spirit on all people who will prophesy
2. 1 Corinthians 12:7 prophecy is a gift given for the common good, to help each other
3. 1 Corinthians 13:2 having the gift of prophecy without love means nothing
4. 1 Corinthians 13:9 we know in part and prophesy in part, so we should not add or elaborate
5. 1 Corinthians 14:1 pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy
6. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Paul wishes all spoke in tongues but even more that they would prophesy
7. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 unbelievers who hear prophecy will be convicted and fall to their knees declaring God is truly among you
8. 1 Corinthians 14:39 desire earnestly to prophesy, do not forbid tongues, but all things done properly and in order
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 do not quench the Spirit or despise prophetic utterances, but examine everything carefully and hold fast to what is good
10. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 Paul urges Timothy to fight the good fight according to previous prophecies spoken over him, keeping faith and a good conscience
11. Isaiah 45:3 God gives treasures of darkness and riches in secret places so we will know He calls us by name

Talk about it

1. The sermon described prophecy as speaking what God has revealed, not what we already know. When have you experienced someone speaking something over you that you felt you could not have known on your own, and what effect did it have on you?
2. Several scriptures were shared about prophecy coming from love, including the point that if we sense our words are not coming from love, it may be better to stay quiet. How do you personally check whether something you feel prompted to say to someone is coming from love rather than your own judgment or assumptions?
3. The sermon described three ways to test a prophetic word: against scripture, against what the Holy Spirit is already speaking to you personally, and against time. Which of these three do you find easiest to apply, and which is hardest, and why?
4. Christie shared a story about being certain she knew what a young woman needed to hear, speaking it out of genuine love, and then realizing she had it completely wrong. What does that story say to you about the difference between speaking from our own understanding and waiting on the Holy Spirit, even when our intentions are good?
5. The sermon closed with the idea of letting encouraging words 'sit' and soak in rather than deflecting them, the same way we tend to marinate in negative words. What would it look like practically in your life to let words of encouragement, whether from God or from others, take deeper root in you?