Build Faith Foundations: Desiring Holiness

(5–8 minutes, moderate set-up)
Learners will consider how to rely upon the Holy Spirit to develop holiness in their lives.
Provide a CD/digital media player and prepare to play the song “Holiness” by Sonicflood (The Early Years, 2006). Also provide paper and pens.

Distribute paper and pens to learners. Then, explain that the Christian band Sonicflood recorded a song that expresses the believer’s desire to be holy. As learners listen to the song, encourage them to write the steps that they might take to become holy as mentioned in the chorus. Play the song.

Next, divide learners into groups of three to four to discuss:

How does the Holy Spirit act in believers to change their heart, mind, and will?
How has the Holy Spirit made changes in these areas of your life?
What areas of your life still need to be surrendered to the Holy Spirit?
Give an example of one way that you struggle between relying on self versus relying on the Holy Spirit to live obediently before Christ.

Emphasize that no one can achieve holiness on his or her own because holiness can only be found when a believer allows the Holy Spirit to completely control his life. Distribute paper and pens to learners at this time. Invite learners to list five areas in which they are still struggling to do things on their own. Then, lead learners to pray using the following prompts:

Pray for understanding of the role that the Holy Spirit should play in your life.
Pray for willingness to surrender control of each of the struggles you’ve mentioned to God.

After a time of prayer, encourage learners to surrender their will to the Holy Spirit so that they can live a life that is pleasing to God.