Ignite the Flame: Enthusiastic Faith in Witness and Worship

Main Thought

God wants to empower us through His Holy Spirit! In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he lists three things that come together to characterize enthusiastic faith for God. God wants to give us power to shine, and not shrink back. Light stands out in darkness. If we walk in God’s power, then we should shine in the midst of the dark world around us. God also wants to give us a love that’s expressive and not evasive. Jesus went to the Cross as the ultimate act of love. Followers of Jesus should also be unafraid of acting in love, because clear acts of love are an opportunity to point people to Christ. Finally, God wants to give us the freedom and self-control to move in faith as He leads us. Responding to God, rejecting fear, and renouncing temptation all require self-control. If we’ll live with this enthusiastic faith, we’ll see God do incredible things in us and through us.

Main Passages

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

- 2 Timothy 1:5-7

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

- Acts 1:8

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

- 1 John 4:18

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

  2. Paul lists three things we can gain through the Holy Spirit: power, love, and freedom through self-control. Which of these three things do you need most in this season of your life?

  3. God gives us power to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8). Can you think of one or two people who are far from God that you could engage on behalf of Christ by the end of the year? (We engage people when we share the gospel, share our testimonies, invite them to church, etc.) Pray for these people by name.