Inside Voice - Week Four Discussion Guide

Week Four Discussion Guide

It has been written that "birds are something truly special. What other group of animals has such a widespread and beloved hobby dedicated to simply looking at them. There are birds on every continent and just about every human civilization that’s ever existed has grown up in a landscape filled with birds. It is no wonder, then, that so many cultures have assigned a great deal of meaning to various types of birds." (https://worldbirds.com/bird-symbolism/)


Icebreaker    

Most of us have at some point formed some type of opinion of birds and of doves in particular.  Some of us only think of them as pigeons who create mess and are generally a nuisance.  Others, the hunters among us, may think of them as sport and eagerly await the opening of the season.  Some may think of them as the symbol of love and/or peace as when released at a wedding or a memorial.
 What has your experience been with either doves in particular or some other wild bird?  Share a bit about any feelings you may have toward birds.  

Prayer 
O God of the heavens and earth, thank you for the mystery of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for these conversations which help us to understand a bit more of who you are and who we desire to be.  Be with us today in our discussion. May we each be affirmed in their faith as we discuss and hold space together.  


Head

Genesis 8: 6-11
After forty days, Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made. He sent out a raven, and it flew back and forth until the waters over the entire earth had dried up. Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters on all of the fertile land had subsided, but the dove found no place to set its foot. It returned to him in the ark since waters still covered the entire earth. Noah stretched out his hand, took it, and brought it back into the ark. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out from the ark again. The dove came back to him in the evening, grasping a torn olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the waters were subsiding from the earth.

• What two birds did Noah send out to survey the land?  What thoughts do you have about the choice?

• In these verses Noah sends the dove out twice and twice the dove returns.  In the next verse (v12) Noah sends the dove a third time and the dove does not return.  What do you think  this sequence may represent beyond just verifying  the floods were receding?  

Luke 3:21-22

When everyone was being baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down on him in bodily form like a dove. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”

• Describe the scene of Jesus’ baptism in your own words? 
• What do you think the people actually saw and heard?  
• Who do you think heard and saw  what was happening-  all of the bystanders, the disciples, or only Jesus himself? What’s the implication of who heard and saw Jesus’ baptism and God’s words to him? 

• This passage is one in which each  person of the trinity is notably present.  How does this impact your understanding of the 3 in 1 God?
• Consider that at baptisms, the Spirit is represented in the blessing or anointing of oil. Like Jesus, each of us is anointed in baptism. Talk about that. What comes up for you? 

Philippians 4:6-7
Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.

• How does giving thanks help foster a sense of peace?

• This passage sounds too good to be true – just don't be anxious and you will have peace.  Simple right?  How do you stop your anxieties, worries, or  relieve stress?  
• Share instances in which you finally gave up striving and experienced an immediate relief?
• How might cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit foster more or new peace in your life? 

Heart
 

• What does the visual representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove feel to you?  
• What, if any,  new possibility of understanding or relating to the Spirit does it stimulate?  Or does it limit rather than enhance your expectations of the work of the Holy Spirit?  
• Describe a sense of peace or any other feeling that suggests the presence of the Holy Spirit in your own life?

Hands  

This week consider the birds of the air. (Matthew 6:26-33)
 Think of the visual representation of the Holy Spirit.  Try one of these things
 1.  Organize something – a day, an event, a project, a drawer
2.  Refuse to worry – give thanks and enjoy something in peace – a meal, a conversation, a hobby, a nap
3. Let the beauty of Christ be in you – serve at church, in your home, at work….  

Share with the Group which, if any,  of these will do.

Be prepared to share with your group next week what you chose to do.


Going further:
The Holy Spirit as Wisdom, Feminine - Read the article here

• What impressions, feelings, audibles, nudges, promptings, aha’s have you experienced  during this series?
• How are you answering them? 
• Identify a person in the group to support you in following up on what the Spirit has “spoken” to you.