This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - 12:30pm Sunday Service | Live from Rossview” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
"Bearing Good Fruit: Living Led by the Holy Spirit"
Week 2 of the Holy Spirit Series
A Note to Facilitators: Welcome! This guide is designed to help any leader — whether you've been leading groups for years or this is your first time — create a meaningful conversation around Sunday's message. You don't need to have all the answers. Your job is to create space for honest dialogue and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Read through the entire guide before your meeting, choose the questions that feel right for your group, and trust the process. You've got this.
OVERVIEW
This week's sermon explored what it means to be truly led by the Holy Spirit — and how that leadership shows up in the fruit our lives produce. Drawing primarily from Galatians 5 and Romans 8:14, Pastor Mike challenged us to honestly evaluate whether we're being led by the Spirit of God or by our own flesh, feelings, and impulses. The central truth: those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons and daughters of God — and a Spirit-led life will naturally bear good fruit over time.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Suggested Total Time: 60–90 minutes Materials Needed: Bibles or Bible app, this guide, pens/paper for notes Room Setup Tip: Arrange seating in a circle or around a table so everyone feels included and can see each other.
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Start here to warm up the group and get everyone talking before diving into deeper content. There's no wrong answer — the goal is just to get people comfortable sharing.
Choose one of the following:
Option A (Lighthearted):
"What's your favorite fruit — and why? Is there a fruit you absolutely cannot stand?"
Option B (More reflective):
"Think about someone in your life — maybe a grandparent, mentor, or friend — whose life seemed to naturally produce something good: peace, joy, kindness, wisdom. What did you notice about them that stood out?"
[Leader Tip]: Don't skip the icebreaker, even if your group knows each other well. It lowers the emotional temperature in the room and signals that this is a safe space to share. If your group is quiet, answer the question yourself first to model vulnerability.
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5–10 minutes)
Have someone in the group read each passage aloud. Encourage the group to listen for words or phrases that stand out to them.
Passage 1 — Romans 8:14 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Passage 2 — Galatians 5:16–25 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Passage 3 — John 15:4–5, 8 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing... By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
Passage 4 — John 14:16–17 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
[Leader Tip]: After the reading, give the group 30 seconds of silence before jumping to questions. It helps people process what they've just heard rather than immediately jumping to what they think they're "supposed" to say.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
Work through as many of these questions as time allows. They're organized to move from lighter, observational questions into deeper personal reflection. You don't need to cover all of them — choose 5–7 that feel most relevant to your group.
THEME 1: What We Heard — Connecting to the Message
(Start here — 5–8 minutes)
Question 1:
"What was one thing from Sunday's message that stuck with you, surprised you, or that you're still thinking about? It could be something that encouraged you, challenged you, or even something you're not sure you agree with."
[Leader Tip]: This is a great opening question because it invites a wide range of responses — there's no pressure to have a "right" answer. If someone shares a disagreement or confusion, affirm them for being honest and use it as a springboard for discussion rather than immediately correcting them.
Question 2:
"Pastor Mike walked through the Holy Spirit's activity from creation all the way through the resurrection — hovering over creation, empowering Samson and David, overshadowing Mary, and even raising Jesus from the dead. Before Sunday, how much had you thought about the Holy Spirit's role throughout the whole Bible? What was new or surprising to you?"
THEME 2: Led by the Spirit — What Does That Actually Mean?
(10–12 minutes)
Question 3:
"Romans 8:14 says, 'All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.' Pastor Mike flipped this equation around — if those led by the Spirit are children of God, then children of God should be led by the Spirit. In practical, everyday terms, what do you think it actually looks like to be led by the Holy Spirit? What does that look like on a Tuesday morning at work, or in a conflict with a family member?"
[Leader Tip]: This question can feel abstract, so if the group gets stuck, offer a concrete example to get things moving: "For instance, has there ever been a moment where you felt a nudge to do something — call someone, hold your tongue, be generous — and you later recognized that as the Spirit leading you? What was that like?" This helps people connect the theology to real experience.
Question 4:
"Pastor Mike described the Holy Spirit as our 'advantage' and 'secret weapon' — the Helper Jesus promised who would be with us forever and in every place. How does that picture of the Holy Spirit compare to how you've thought about him before? Does thinking of him as a Helper and constant companion change anything for you?"
Question 5:
"The sermon described a tension between being led by the Spirit and being led by the flesh — our impulses, feelings, culture, and habits. Pastor Mike said there's no 'shared custody' — we're either following one or the other. How do you personally experience that tension in your daily life? What are the areas where the pull toward the flesh feels strongest?"
[Leader Tip]: This question requires vulnerability, so model it yourself if you can. If the group is hesitant, you might say: "I'll go first — for me, it shows up most in [area]. Anyone else relate to that?" Remind the group that this is a safe space and that honest struggle is exactly where growth begins.
THEME 3: The Fruit — What Does Your Life Produce?
(10–12 minutes)
Question 6:
"Galatians 5 gives us two lists — the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. Looking at those lists honestly, which qualities from the fruit of the Spirit do you see growing in your life? And which items from the works of the flesh do you find yourself still wrestling with most?"
Question 7:
"Pastor Mike made an important observation: Paul writes 'the fruit of the Spirit' — singular, not plural. It's one fruit with many qualities, like an apple with many parts. What does it mean that we can't just pick and choose the parts we like — say, working on 'peace' while ignoring 'self-control' or 'gentleness'? How does that change how we think about spiritual growth?"
[Leader Tip]: Some groups may want to debate whether certain gifts or fruit are more important than others. Gently redirect by pointing back to the text — Paul presents them as one unified fruit, which suggests the Spirit develops them together as we stay connected to Jesus, the vine.
Question 8:
"Pastor Mike said, 'Repentance can happen in a moment, but fruit takes time.' He compared it to planting a garden — you can't rush it, and there are no real shortcuts. Where have you seen evidence of slow, patient growth in your own spiritual life? What has helped that growth? What has stunted it?"
THEME 4: Evaluating Our Lives Together
(8–10 minutes)
Question 9:
"Pastor Mike gave three action steps at the end of the sermon: (1) Evaluate yourself before God, (2) Ask trusted people in the church what they see in you, and (3) Invite the Holy Spirit to take full control. Which of those three feels most natural to you — and which feels most uncomfortable or challenging? Why?"
Question 10:
"The sermon referenced James 5:16 — 'Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.' This kind of radical honesty with other believers can feel risky. What makes it hard to be that vulnerable with people in the church? What would need to be true about a community for you to feel safe enough to do that?"
[Leader Tip]: This question often surfaces real wounds — people who've been hurt by church community or burned by sharing vulnerably before. If that comes up, honor it. Don't rush past it. You might say: "That's a real and valid experience. What do you think healthy accountability in community could look like — even given those risks?"
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
These questions are for individual reflection. You can do these silently, share in pairs, or open them up to the whole group depending on your group's comfort level.
1. The Honest Look
Take a moment and honestly consider: What is the fruit of your life right now? If someone who didn't know you were a Christian watched your life for the past month — your words, your reactions, how you treat people at home and at work — what would they conclude about who leads you?
2. The Invitation
Jesus says in John 15, "Abide in me." To abide means to move in, to dwell, to make yourself at home. In what areas of your life have you been keeping the Holy Spirit at arm's length — maybe a relationship, a habit, a fear, or a decision — rather than fully inviting him in?
3. The Prayer of David
Pastor Mike highlighted Psalm 139:23–24 as a daily prayer for Christians: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." What would it look like for you to pray this prayer every morning this week — and actually mean it?
4. The Accountability Step
The sermon challenged us to reach out to someone we trust and ask them: "What do you see in me that might grieve the Holy Spirit? Are there areas of my life that don't reflect good fruit?" Who is one person in your life you could have that conversation with? What's one step you could take this week to make that happen?
5. The Welcome
At the close of the sermon, Pastor Mike led the congregation in saying, "Welcome, Holy Spirit." What would it mean for you — personally, practically — to make that a daily posture rather than just a Sunday moment?
SECTION 5: THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
(Share before closing prayer)
Choose one of the following challenges to carry with you into the week ahead:
🌱 The Fruit Check — Each evening this week, take two minutes to ask yourself: "What fruit did my life produce today — Spirit fruit or flesh fruit?" Write it down. No condemnation, just honest observation. Bring what you notice back to the group next time.
🙏 The Daily Prayer — Pray Psalm 139:23–24 every morning this week. Let it be the first thing you say to God each day: "Search me, O God, and know my heart." Notice what he shows you.
☕ The Brave Conversation — This week, reach out to one trusted person — a friend, spouse, small group member, or mentor — and ask them one honest question: "Is there an area of my life where you see me being led by my flesh more than by the Spirit?" Then listen without defending yourself.
📖 The Deep Dive — Read all of Galatians 5 on your own this week. Write down what stands out to you and bring your observations back to share with the group.
SECTION 6: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. Use the prompts below to guide your group. You can pray as a whole group, break into pairs, or have the leader close in prayer — do what fits your group best.
Suggested Prayer Topics:
Gratitude — Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, for being a Helper who is always present and never leaves us.
Honesty — Ask God to give your group the courage to honestly evaluate the fruit of your lives — without shame, but with openness to change.
Invitation — Together, pray the words, "Welcome, Holy Spirit" — inviting him to take full control of each person's life, not just on Sundays, but every day.
Growth — Ask God to grow the fruit of the Spirit in each person's life this week — especially in the areas where it feels most lacking.
Community — Pray for your small group to become a place of honest, grace-filled accountability where people feel safe to confess, grow, and be prayed over.
Those Far from God — Pray for people in your lives who don't yet know Jesus — that the Spirit would draw them, and that the fruit of your lives would point them toward him.
[Leader Tip]: If your group isn't yet comfortable praying out loud together, that's completely okay. You can close in prayer yourself, or invite people to pray silently while you close aloud. Over time, as trust builds, more people will feel comfortable joining in.
SECTION 7: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
For groups wanting to go further — or for personal study during the week
Deep Dive Question 1 — The Trinity and the Spirit
Pastor Mike described the Trinity using the ancient "Shield of the Trinity" — one God in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He said: "God the Father loves us. God the Son saves us. God the Spirit fills us and leads us." Read John 14:15–27 together. How does Jesus describe the relationship between himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in this passage? What does it tell us about the character of God that he would send his own Spirit to live inside of us?
Deep Dive Question 2 — Fruit vs. Gifts
Pastor Mike briefly mentioned that spiritual gifts are part of the fruit of the Spirit, and that next week's message will focus on gifts specifically. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1–11 and 13:1–3 together. What's the relationship between spiritual gifts and love (the first fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5)? What does Paul seem to be saying about what matters more — having gifts or bearing fruit?
Deep Dive Question 3 — The Warning Paul Gives
In Galatians 5:21, Paul warns that "those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This is a sobering statement. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 alongside it. Paul says, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified." How do you hold the warning and the grace together? What does this passage say about both the seriousness of living by the flesh and the power of the gospel to transform us?
SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURE
For personal study or further group exploration:
- Psalm 139:23–24 — David's prayer of honest self-examination before God
- Romans 8:1–17 — The full context of life in the Spirit vs. life in the flesh
- John 15:1–17 — Jesus on abiding in the vine and bearing fruit
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 — The transforming power of the gospel
- Ephesians 5:15–21 — Being filled with the Spirit as a daily practice
- James 5:16 — Confessing to one another and the power of prayer
QUICK REFERENCE: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
| Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) | Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19–21) |
|---|---|
| Love | Sexual immorality |
| Joy | Impurity |
| Peace | Sensuality |
| Patience | Idolatry |
| Kindness | Sorcery |
| Goodness | Enmity & strife |
| Faithfulness | Jealousy |
| Gentleness | Fits of anger |
| Self-control | Rivalries & divisions |
| Envy, drunkenness |
A WORD FOR YOUR GROUP
"Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons and daughters of God." — Romans 8:14
The fruit of the Spirit isn't a checklist to perform. It's the natural outgrowth of a life that stays close to Jesus — abiding in the vine, walking in step with the Spirit, and allowing God to do what only he can do in us over time. This week, the invitation isn't to try harder. It's to stay closer.
Welcome, Holy Spirit.
This guide was prepared for Life Point Church Small Groups based on the sermon "Bearing Good Fruit: Living Led by the Holy Spirit" — Week 2 of the Holy Spirit Series.
Questions? Contact your campus pastor or small group coordinator.