Leader Guide

Bible Study

Let’s say our SuperVerse together: Galatians 5:25:   

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 

Let’s look deeper into how we follow God’s Spirit.         

Give each child a Bible. Have children look up the verses and take turns reading one verse. Then, lead a discussion with the information below. 

 

1. Galatians 5:16–17:

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

• What is the benefit of letting the Holy Spirit guide our lives? We won’t do what our sinful nature wants to do.   
• In verse 17, what does our sinful nature want to do? Evil instead of doing what pleases God.
• What does the Spirit desire? The opposite of the sinful nature—good things that please God. 
• Does our sinful nature work well with God’s Spirit? No, they constantly fight each other.
• What happens when the sinful nature gains control? We are not free to do what is good or pleasing to God—His will.    
• Can you describe a time that you experienced a battle similar to what is described in verse 17?
• Why is it difficult to give control over to God’s Spirit? We like to be in control of our own lives. In times of temptation, we want to satisfy our desires or cravings. When others are doing something, we can experience peer pressure to do what they are doing instead of what we know God wants us to do.
• Is it more difficult to give control to the Spirit in some areas of your life and not so easy in others? Please explain or share an example. Yes, some areas we just want to continue to do something and ignore the Spirit. For example, we like to hang around with certain people who are not a good influence and hinder our relationship with God. 
• Overall, why is it important to give control of every part of our lives to the Spirit? So we live according to God’s will, so we can please Him and represent Him. To keep us from sin. So that we can grow and make wise choices and stay away from things that can harm us.           

2. Ezekiel 36:26–27:

²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. ²⁷ And I will put My Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.

In this Bible passage, God is giving His prophet, Ezekiel, a message regarding Israel’s rebellion and sin and His plan to restore them. 

 

• In verse 26, what will God remove from them? Their stubborn, stony heart.
• How will the new heart be different? It will be tender and responsive.
• What do you think that means? Their hearts will be soft and sensitive. God can speak and they will listen and obey. They won’t ignore His leading.
• In verses 26–27, what else will God give them? A new Spirit—His Spirit.
• What will His Spirit do for them? Guide and help them to be obedient to His commands and instructions.     
• How does God help us today to obey and live for Him? He gives us the Holy Spirit to live inside and to guide and empower us. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and opens up our understanding of His Word and will. 

3. Romans 8:26–27:  

 ²⁶ And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 

• In verse 26, what does the Holy Spirit do when we are weak? He helps us.
• How can the Holy Spirit help us to pray? Give us direction into what we can or should pray. Reveals things that need prayer.
• Have you ever experienced a time when you didn’t know what to pray and you sensed the Holy Spirit’s direction? Children answer.
• Have you ever just sat in silence before the Lord in prayer and allowed the Holy Spirit to pray through you and guide your thoughts? Children answer.   
• In verse 27, how does it make you feel to know that God knows your heart? He knows what I am thinking or feeling when I can’t express it in words.
• How does the Spirit help us to pray? He directs our prayers so we pray in a way that is pleasing to God and according to His will.  

 

Conclusion: We need the Spirit’s direction in every area of our lives. He will lead us; it is up to us to choose to follow.