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Leader Briefing Document: Day 1, Session 2

Leader Briefing Document: This guide will help facilitators lead the session with clarity, covering all activities, objectives, and key teaching points.

Let’s move on to Day 1, Session 2 of the Service Preparation Workshop. This session will build on the foundation laid in the first session by focusing on Listening to the Holy Spirit for Conviction. We'll explore how participants can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide their ministry and service. I’ll provide all the materials, including a Leader Briefing Document, Reflection Worksheet, Scripture Resources, Group Discussion Prompts, and the Ministry Planning Worksheet.

Bible or Digital Scripture Resources

As with the previous session, participants will need access to scripture, either through physical Bibles or digital apps like YouVersion or Bible Gateway. Below are key scriptures for Session 2:

Scripture Resources for Listening to the Holy Spirit:

  • John 14:26: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
  • Galatians 5:16: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
  • Romans 8:14: "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
  • Acts 13:2: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"
  • Isaiah 30:21: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
  • 1 Kings 19:12: The "still small voice" of God speaking to Elijah.

Workshop Title: Listening to the Holy Spirit for Conviction

Session Objectives:

  • Help participants understand how the Holy Spirit speaks into their lives and ministries.
  • Teach participants to listen actively for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in their everyday decisions and calling.
  • Facilitate personal reflection and group discussion on how the Spirit’s conviction shapes service and ministry plans.
  • Provide practical tools for discerning God’s voice amidst life’s distractions.

Session Flow:

1. Welcome and Opening Reflection (10 minutes)

Key Points to Emphasize:

  • Introduce the focus of this session: learning to hear and respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
  • Emphasize that the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, given to us by Christ to guide us into all truth (John 14:26).

Opening Prayer:

  • Pray for open hearts and minds, asking the Holy Spirit to speak clearly to each participant as they reflect on their purpose and conviction.

Scripture to Read Aloud:

  • John 14:26: The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you of everything Jesus has said.
  • Galatians 5:16: Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

2. Teaching: Listening for the Holy Spirit’s Conviction (20 minutes)

Key Teaching Points:

  • Who is the Holy Spirit?: Explore the role of the Holy Spirit as our guide and comforter, sent by God to lead us (John 16:13, Romans 8:14).
  • How does the Holy Spirit speak?: Discuss the various ways the Holy Spirit communicates with us, such as through Scripture, prayer, circumstances, and the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12).
  • Responding to Conviction: What it means to listen and respond when the Holy Spirit convicts us to take action or change something in our lives or ministries (Acts 13:2).

Scripture Focus:

  • Galatians 5:16-17: Walking by the Spirit versus gratifying the desires of the flesh.
  • Romans 8:14: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
  • Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Illustration:

  • Share a biblical story such as Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40), emphasizing how Philip listened to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to approach and minister.

Reflection Question for Participants:

  • How do you currently hear the Holy Spirit speaking in your life?

3. Reflection Activity: Listening to the Holy Spirit Worksheet (20 minutes)

Objective: Help participants reflect on their current relationship with the Holy Spirit and how He may be convicting them to act or serve in a specific way.

Instructions:

  • Distribute the Listening to the Holy Spirit Worksheet.
  • Give participants 10 minutes to quietly reflect and answer the questions, inviting them to consider moments where they have sensed the Holy Spirit’s leading or convicting voice.

Key Reflection Prompts:

  • When was the last time you sensed the Holy Spirit guiding you to make a decision or take action?
  • What circumstances or scripture has the Holy Spirit used to speak to you?
  • What might the Holy Spirit be convicting you to address in your life or community?

4. Small Group Discussion: Recognizing the Spirit’s Voice (30 minutes)

Objective: Participants share their reflections on hearing the Holy Spirit and discuss how the Spirit’s conviction is shaping their ministry plans.

Instructions:

  • Divide participants into small groups of 4-5 people.
  • Ask each person to share a recent experience where they felt the Holy Spirit guiding or convicting them.
  • Encourage the group to reflect on how they can become more attentive to the Holy Spirit’s voice in their daily lives.

Facilitator Role:

  • Circulate between groups, listening to reflections, and providing scripture encouragement as needed.
  • Emphasize that listening to the Holy Spirit is a process that requires patience, trust, and continual surrender.

Scripture Prompts:

  • John 16:13: The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth.
  • James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

5. Large Group Sharing and Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

Objective: Bring the group back together to share insights and reinforce the importance of responding to the Holy Spirit’s conviction.

Instructions:

  • Ask for volunteers to share one key takeaway or insight from their small group discussion.
  • Summarize the session’s key points, reminding participants that the Holy Spirit is always guiding them if they remain open and attentive.

Closing Prayer:

  • Lead a closing prayer asking the Holy Spirit to continue speaking into the lives of each participant and guiding them toward their ministry calling.

6. Post-Session Activity: Ministry Planning Worksheet (Self-Guided)

Objective: Encourage participants to reflect on how the Holy Spirit’s conviction is shaping their ministry plan and to continue collaborating after the session.

Worksheet Prompts:

  • How has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you during today’s session?
  • What specific area of ministry is the Holy Spirit guiding you toward?
  • How can you continue to listen and discern the Spirit’s voice in your daily life?

Follow-Up:

  • Encourage participants to pray daily for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and to meet with their small group throughout the week to continue refining their ministry plans.