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Naturally Supernatural
In this series from Equippers London Ps Mark Collard and Ps Steve Graham unpack what it means to live a naturally supernatural life. They help us to see it as a normal part of human existence and inspire us to step out of our comfort zone to bring God’s kingdom to earth.
Living a Normal Supernatural Life
Key thought:
The Bible is full of supernatural experiences that people experienced in their day to day lives. God wants us to reclaim this area so that we can help to bring solutions to challenges that people face by manifesting His presence in our normal lives.
Watch Session One of the series.
Key Verse:
Acts 3:6 (NIV)
“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”
OPEN
Did anything particularly stand out from the video?
Ps Steve said, “The most natural thing for humans to do is to have a supernatural dimension to your life.”
What do you think of this statement? Is the supernatural something that you are open and welcoming of, or are you more cautious of it because you don’t always understand the nature of how it works?
Would you say that you are currently experiencing supernatural gifts or experiences like operating in the prophetic, healing, words of knowledge, tongues or dreams?
STUDY
Read Acts 3:1-8 “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money… Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”
Why do you think the lame man would have only been asking for and expecting money for Peter and John?
In this passage, Peter moved from offering practical help (the Natural – This worldly dimension) to operating in the middle dimension and bringing the supernatural into normal life. How does this challenge your response to situations in everyday life?
COMMIT
Do you have any personal stories of the supernatural working in your life, or have you been the recipient of a supernatural encounter?
Ps Steve shared his experience as a missionary of helping people in natural and supernatural ways but sometimes missing the “this worldly – supernatural” dimension. When helping people, which dimension do you tend to operate in? What would you need to do to operate more in the “this worldly – supernatural” dimension and live a naturally supernatural life?
PRAY
Pray that over the next few weeks you’ll get something that helps you to operate more naturally in that middle ground area.
PRACTICAL
Think about one thing you can do this week to live a more naturally supernatural life.
Stepping into the Supernatural
Key thought:
Stepping out into the Supernatural is not always as clean cut and tidy as we would like it to be. It takes practice and getting familiar with the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God wants to be part of our everyday lives and we were created to live at the intersection of the natural and the Supernatural.
Watch Session Two of the series.
Key Verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (GW)
“Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.”
OPEN
Did anything particularly stand out from the video?
Can you share personal stories of when you felt prompted to send someone a message, give a phone call, or perhaps do an act of kindness towards someone?
- What were the results when you did respond to a prompting?
- Do you have stories of failing to act when you felt prompted? How did that make you feel?
Ps Steve said that “often the spirit speaking is like a butterfly on your shoulder”. What can be the hinderances that make it difficult to follow these promptings?
STUDY
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (GW) “Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.”
Why do you think Paul had to say do not treat prophecies with contempt?
In the west we often don’t fully realise that we are spirit, not just body and soul. What did you think of the illustration of the planet where people didn’t believe they had legs? How can you relate to this in terms of your spirit?
COMMIT
How have you been challenged from this discussion to live more in tune with the spirit?
PRAY
Pray that you would understand and experience Gods love in greater way, so you would have a greater willingness to share His love with others. Pray your love for God and for others would grow.
PRACTICAL
Let’s see if we can be more aware of “God promptings” throughout this week. Write down every time you felt prompted to do something as well as your response, then share your experiences next time you see each other.
Expecting the Supernatural
Key thought:
The Holy Spirit is with us every day and is like a life coach. We need to have a hunger and expectation for what the Holy Spirit wants to do.
Watch Session Three of the series.
Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
OPEN
Did anything particularly stand out from the video?
Ps Steve described the Holy Spirit as being like our personal life coach that with us 24/7 encouraging, prompting and leading us. What’s the difference between seeing the Holy Spirit as a life coach compared to a force?
If we are not familiar with how the Holy Spirit works, we end up staying in the realm of principles and theory. Do you move past the point of just principles and theory? How can we develop our spirit life, so God can do more in and through us?
STUDY
Read 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV) “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
How would you describe your current hunger and expectancy for the spiritual?
As you go about your day to day life and interact with people, do you have an expectancy that you are going to hear from God? If not, can you think of ways to build up your expectancy?
COMMIT
We live in an “already, not yet” kingdom where it can be frustrating when we don’t see everything we want to see. How can we drag in more of God’s kingdom than we’re currently seeing?
Sometimes we need to create room for God to move in and through us. In your context of life, how does this relate to you?
PRAY
Pray for each other that God would lift expectation for the things of the spirit.
PRACTICAL
Think about the situations in your context where you could be more hungry to hear from the Holy Spirit.
Developing the Muscles of the Spirit
Key thought:
Living naturally supernatural involves an element of risk on our part. When we take a risk and respond to a prompting, we give God an opportunity to move through us.
Watch Session Four of the series.
Key Verse:
Acts 15:28 (NIV) “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us”
OPEN
Did anything particularly stand out from the video?
Would you say you are open to taking risks when you feel prompted? Can you share a story of when you felt you took a big risk?
How could you ease supernatural conversations into your day-to-day life, especially in the work place?
STUDY
Read Acts 15:28 (NIV) “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:”
Are you surprised by the lack of certainty they had in Acts 15? What can we learn from this?
COMMIT
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:4 that, “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally”.
Speaking and singing in tongues develops our spiritual senses. Can you speak in tongues, and what has been your experience while you are praying in this manner?
Why do you think we often settle for the intellectual or the spiritual, when we can have both?
PRAY
Pray that God would strengthen you in the spirit and that you would have the courage to take risks when you feel prompted.
PRACTICAL
Try taking a risk on a prompting this week and tell the group how it went next time you meet.
