As we seek to answer the question: "What's the difference between being religious and being spiritual?", we start not at the what, but the who. Who's the difference between being religious and being spiritual? The Holy Spirit. He is the difference maker. As true God Himself, the Holy Spirit brings freedom from being religious and fulfillment to being spiritual. How so? The Holy Spirit gives the promise of salvation to all in Christ Jesus. Join us today to hear and receive the gifts of freedom and fulfillment as we celebrate life together in the Holy Spirit!

Romans 8:1-11

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. How would you characterize a person who is seeking to be religious? Which of those traits would you say are helpful? Which of those would you consider to be harmful?

2. How would you characterize a person who is seeking to be spiritual? Which of those traits would you say are helpful? Which of those would you consider to be harmful?

3. Where do you see yourself? Are you someone who leans more on the religious or on the spiritual side?

4. Read Romans 8:1-11. The central idea is fixed on the true life the Holy Spirit gives in Christ. How does He bring freedom to those seeking a religious life? How does He provide fulfillment to people looking for a more spiritual life?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Romans 8:1-11 together.

2. People try to find comfort in what they can do for God. What has God done for you that provides the comfort people seek? Others try to find peace in things that aren’t God Himself. How does God give you peace?

3. Write down Romans 8:1 and post it somewhere in your house where you will see it often this week. When anyone in your house feels overwhelmed or uneasy throughout the week, point them to this Bible verse and pray with them.