INTRO–‘Holy Spirit – Think Sailing’’Read John 3:5-8

Jesus compares a life empowered by the Holy Spirit to the wind, and nothing better illustrates this kind of life than sailing. Sailing is an appropriate metaphor because sailing is not an easy task but takes work, time, desire, and discipline is you are to successfully do it. Living by the Holy Spirit’s power and purpose also takes time, desire, work, and discipline. But once you begin to understand the Spirit’s power and direction for your life, you will begin to tap into the adventurous life God has planned for you to accomplish.

• Have you ever been sailing? If so how would you describe the work it takes to do it successfully?


• What has been your favorite adventure in life so far? What has been your most exciting adventure with God?

STEP #1–‘Learn the Lingo’’Read Psalm 119:105 & Acts 19:1-2

The first step in beginning to understand how the Holy Spirit works is to learn all you can about God so that you begin to understand how to move with God. Just as sailing has specific terms for specific actions, you must get yourself into the Scriptures to begin realizing what is rightfully yours as a child of God. Just like finding a treasure map, God’s word contains the actions, steps, promises, and power that you need to know. And it’s in living it out that God can begin to show you the life and purpose God has for you..

• How well do you know the Bible? How often do you seek guidance from God’s word?


• Which better describes the Word in your life: a lamp for your daily life or a match you strike when times get tough? How can you improve your time in the Bible?


• When you read the Bible do you look for God’s promises and power or something else? Explain.

STEP #2–‘Seek the Wind’Read Zechariah 4:6; Jeremiah 33:3; & John 16:13

The second step in Holy Spirit living is to become less self-reliant and more Spirit-driven. A sailboat can only move quickly and forcefully if it moves in the direction the wind is blowing. If you want to live your life in the power of the Holy Spirit you too have to seek the ‘wind’ and let the Spirit take you in the direction the Spirit is going. How do you seek the Spirit’s direction? The first is to begin listening intently for God’s voice. And secondly begin discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit by the God signs you see around you whether through other people, God at work in people’s lives, or places where God’s work is being done.

• During your daily devotion time, how much time do you spend just listening to God?


• Describe a time God truly spoke to you. What happened?


• Name some of the ways you personally discern God’s direction for you life from the Holy Spirit’s work around you.

STEP #3–‘Yield to the Wind’s Direction’Read James 4:2; II Corinthians 6:2; & Luke 9:59-62

Finally once you begin to hear and discern the Spirit’s direction for your life you must obey and yield your will to God’s will. In sailing you must maintain your hand on the tiller if you are to control the direction of the boat. You also will decide which direction you are going with your life and God will not override your will. But to live the life God desires means following the direction of the Spirit not allowing procrastination or fear to inhibit the Spirit work in and through your life.

• Do you consistently yield to God’s will? Describe a recent time you did.


• What is the usual “But” that keeps you from following God’s directives or calling in your life?


• What is the Holy Spirit calling you to do today? Will you do it?