1 Spirit-Filled Social Work Bible Study Series - Week 2: Study Questions Understanding the purpose and presence of the

Holy Spirit is not something that comes naturally, but through the study of Gods Word. This kind of devotion to a relationship with God requires time and discipline, two things that Social Work students can feel overwhelmed by! In the demanding lives that we lead, making time and modifying schedules for a quiet time or Bible study may seem impossible. However, it is possible to spend 7-15 minutes studying His Word daily. Take the challenge and find a buddy to hold you accountable to your commitment! Working to help clients in clinicals and then completing coursework can be emotionally exhausting. It is really tough to experience another individuals suffering, whether it is a friend, family member, or client. It can be discouraging to work against seemingly impossible odds and unconquerable injustice. Sometimes it is hard to sleep at night, knowing so many are trapped in their pain, unable to walk away. However, seen from the vantage point of God, there is a way for Social Workers to succeed even when we cannot see it ourselves. Get Ready for Victory. Living out the power of the Holy Spirit means embracing and following His place in Social Work. Too often, Social Workers are surrounded by defeat rather than victory. After all, we work in places that seek to help enslaved people overcome prisons of oppression, poverty, and injustice. To make matters worse, we live in a world that screams, You are No.1! You can do it all! You are in control of this! Before long, we can start to identify with wrong thinking, anger, resentment, and bitterness. As a result, we can find ourselves listening to and believing unhealthy rhetoric that ultimately seeks to draw us away from a healthy relationship with God. Locate and Read Acts 1: 3-9 In the blanks provided, describe what the Holy Spirit was going to do through ordinary men who were followers of Christ.

Use Acts 1:8 to fill in the following blanks. But you will receive ______________ when the ___________ ______________ comes to you. Then you will be my ________________ to testify about ___________ in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the _________________.

2012 Social Work Confessions. All rights reserved.

2 The Holy Spirit is powerful. After watching this weeks video, it is obvious that we do not fully understand or adequately embrace His power in our lives. Recognize the Power. There are four characteristics of the power of the Holy Spirit that we will receive. Locate and read the provided verses to help you fill in the blanks. 1. 2. 3. 4. Power to share Christ boldly with ______________ (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Power when you are __________________ (Romans 8:26). Power to have ___________________ in a ____________________ world (Romans 15:13). Power to experience all the ___________________ of God (Ephesians 1:19).

Our only hope as Social Workers is to first acknowledge our need for the Holy Spirit, and then to surrender our will to Him. There are many people who try to work in their own strength and only get so far. Friends, we have the option to be filled with the Spirit - a far greater power available to Christians in Social Work. Embrace the Holy Spirits presence and allow Him to fully empower you to effect lasting change in the name of Jesus Christ! Reflection and Application. What has God revealed to me in this lesson? How will I respond?

What is the most challenging thing I face in surrendering my will to God? Is it doubt? Fear? Confusion?

Heavenly Father, I come before You today and pray that the presence of the Holy Spirit will be with me as I study Your Word. Please teach me to surrender my will to You, ultimately trusting Your plan for my life. Help me to be filled with Your Spirit as I partner with You to heal this broken world. Teach me to rely on Your perfect strength, and not my own. I thank You in advance! In Jesus Name, amen.

2012 Social Work Confessions. All rights reserved.