Discussion 8 – Temple of the Holy Spirit

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read

For each section of verse below: One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.

Re-read

Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc.

Retell

One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…

As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build knowledge towards understanding and wisdom. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

The Body

1 Corinthians 6:19

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

• What does it mean that our body is a temple of the Holy Ghost?
• What is significant about the use of the word Temple in this scripture? 
• How does it make you feel knowing that your body does not belong to you but to God?

1 Corinthians 3:17

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

• What are some things that could defile the temple of God?
• Why would a person who defiles the temple of God be destroyed?
• How can knowing that we are temples of God encourage our pursuit of holiness?

Food

1 Corinthians 9:25

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

• What does temperate mean?
• Why is self-discipline essential to our pursuit of holiness?
• What is an incorruptible crown and how do we obtain it?
• How does knowing our reward is incorruptible help us stay on track in our pursuit of holiness?

Acts 15:20

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

• Why is it important to abstain from anything associated with idols?
• What is the definition of fornication?
• Why are things strangled prohibited?
• What does it mean to abstain from blood and why is this significant?
• How can being familiar with this list of things to abstain from help in our pursuit of holiness?

Addictive Substances

Proverbs 20:1

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:

and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

• What is meant by “wine is a mocker?”
• How is strong drink “raging?”
• What are some consequences of alcohol abuse?
• How can even one drink of alcohol be dangerous?

1 Thessalonians 5:22

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

• What is a situation in which something could appear evil, but not actually be evil?
• How can the appearance of evil hinder our pursuit of holiness?
• How can our association with the appearance of evil hinder our ability to witness to someone else?

2 Corinthians 7:1

1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

• How can knowing the promises of God encourage our pursuit of holiness?
• What things might be considered filthiness of the flesh?
• What things might be considered filthiness of the spirit?
• What is meant by “perfecting holiness in the fear of God?”

Sexual Relations

Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

• What is significant about a man leaving his mother and father to cleave to his wife?
• How does a man and woman become one flesh?
• How does becoming one flesh set the marriage relationship apart from other relationships?

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

• How does the call to live in sanctification and honor help us abstain from lustful passions?
• What does knowing that God avenges sins done against another bring to mind?
• What would make someone despise holiness?
• What encourages us to love holiness?

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 6:12

12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

• What are some things that may be lawful, but not expedient?
• How can we protect ourselves from becoming slaves to things that are not good for us?
• How does our power to choose how we live impact our pursuit of holiness?

Romans 12:1

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

• What encourages us to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice?
• How is the difference between a living sacrifice and a dead sacrifice significant?
• What is meant by “reasonable service?”

Next Week: Pursuing Holiness – Lesson 9- Distinction of the Sexes

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