07 - THE BEAUTY OF SPIRITUAL LANGUAGES

ICE BREAKER / GAME

Do you think you’ve changed in the last year? How so?

GROUP SESSION VIDEO

GROUP SESSION CONVERSATION GUIDE

I want to acknowledge that this one work of the Holy Spirit can conjure up a plethora of images for people:

  • For some those images are intensely positive, and grace-filled
  • While for others the images are polar opposites, images of excess, mindlessness and uncontrolled ecstatic speech. 

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT SPEAKING IN TONGUES

In the correlated workshop session we will answer the following questions:

  1. What is the Biblical, doctrinal foundation for “speaking in tongues?” Is there more in the Bible about “speaking in tongues” than just Acts chapter 2’s Day of Pentecost experience?
  2. Is it God’s desire that EVERY Christian to have this blessing, or is it reserved for a SELECT percentage of Christians?
  3. Does a person have to “speak in tongues” to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Can a person be “filled” with the Spirit and NOT speak in tongues?
  4. Is speaking in tongues the “initial evidence” of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Are there other evidences?
  5. Is there a difference between a devotional prayer language of unknown tongues, and an operational spiritual gift “the gift of tongues” that should be interpreted?
  6. In the requirement of an interpreter being present, is that the same as the gift of “interpretation of tongues?”  
  7. Is it permissible, or is it forbidden, for a person to speak in tongues when other people are around? Should this unique gift be banished to a private, closet experience, or should it also be enjoyed in corporate settings?
  8. What are the benefits of “speaking in tongues?” Was it originally just for preaching to other cultures and language-groups?
  9. In 1 CORINTHIANS 13, the Apostle Paul says, “tongues would pass away…”. After all the original apostles died, and or when the written Bible was given to us, did the purpose of tongues pass away?
  10. Are non-tongue-talkers less spiritual Christians than tongue-talking Christians?
  11. I have asked for God to make me speak in tongues, and have had the many ministers and seasoned Christians pray for me, but He hasn’t given me that ability yet. What does the Bible say about that? 
  12. Can a person who struggles with sinful patterns be a candidate for speaking in tongues, or is a certain level of spiritual purity required first?
  13. Should a person who asks God for the Holy Spirit’s infilling be concerned with getting a devil, or becoming demonized?
  14. What if a person speaks in tongues, but then feels like they are just making it up?
  15. Why do Pentecostals/Charismatics give “excessive, inordinate” emphasis to the gift of tongues compared with the other "Spiritual Gifts?"

 

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

ACTS 2:1-12 NKJV When the DAY OF PENTECOST had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them DIVIDED TONGUES, as of fire, and [one] SAT UPON EACH OF THEM. 4 And they were ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because EVERYONE HEARD THEM SPEAK IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 "And how [is it that] WE HEAR, EACH IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE in which we were born? 9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 "Cretans and Arabs--we hear them SPEAKING IN OUR OWN TONGUES THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD." 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"

 

This was the INITIAL baptism of the Holy Spirit upon believers. In this paramount occasion we see the exuberant worship of God through “other tongues,” or tongues “other” than the speaker’s known language. 

Understand that speaking in “tongues” or “spiritual languages” was PROPHESIED HUNDREDS OF YEARS BEFORE CHRIST appeared.

 

MORE THOUGHTS ON SPEAKING IN TONGUES…

  • 120 spoke on the Day of Pentecost
  • The original 11 apostles (minus Judas, who betrayed Jesus and hanged himself) spoke in spiritual languages in Acts 2
  • The Apostle Paul spoke in tongues
  • An undesignated number termed “a large” group, Gentiles, spoke in tongues in Acts 10
  • At the city of Ephesus, the founding church fathers spoke in tongues in Acts 19

We have historical references in the writings of many early church fathers from the first century till now:

  • Iraneaus  (Disciple of Polycarp – 115-202 AD) – Said speaking in tongues was common in his day
  • Tertullian (Father of Latin Theology – 150-240 AD) – Affirmed their existence in his day
  • Celsus (Unbelieving Philosopher – 177 AD) – Scornfully describes the procedures at Christina meetings where tongues are spoken
  • Ambrose (One of the Great Bishops of Christendom – 340-397 AD) – Plainly states that tongues speaking was a continuing phenomenon
  • Martin Luther (Father of the Reformation – 1483-1546 AD) – There is evidence that he was a tongue talker that helped his compelling faith and heroic courage
  • John Calvin (1509-1564 AD) – Writes about the many tongue speakers of his day and notes that many great theologians disclaim against them, as he himself defends their right to worship with tongues.
  • John Wesley (Founder of the Methodist Church - 1703-1791 AD) – Spoke of tongues being utilized by people of his day
  • And many others

 

LET ME AFFIRM THE PURSUIT FOR SPIRITUAL LANGUAGES

Let me affirm that your interest in spiritual language isn’t prompted by a shallow search for novelty. Clearly it is rooted in a genuine desire for all of God to be revealed to us in His fullness; a passion to know Him, His Word and any resource that will draw me nearer to His heart in prayer and will exalt Him more grandly in my private worship.

It is also my desire that for a person of genuine skepticism to the whole topic would give themselves to intently listen, and invest themselves in over these workshop sessions and bonus teachings.  There is not much more that saddens my heart than to hear people making bold declarations of opposition to something they have never really investigated. 

 

WHAT WE COVER IN THE CORRELATED WORKSHOP SESSION

Speaking in tongues...

  • Is neither unbiblical, nor outdated
  • Is NOT a transcendental experience
  • Is NOT a status symbol
  • Is NOT proposed as a substitute for spiritual growth
  • Is NOT divisive…people are! 
  • IS without doubt “mystical,” but doesn’t have to project “madness”

 

HUNGER FOR HIM 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-21 KJV QUENCH (extinguish) NOT the SPIRIT. 20 DESPISE (displace or set aside, regard lightly, or not esteem) NOT prophesyings. 21 PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 NKJV But EARNESTLY DESIRE the BEST GIFTS. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:39-40 NKJV Therefore, brethren, DESIRE EARNESTLY to prophesy, and DO NOT FORBID to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

EARNESTLY DESIRE (covet) comes from the Greek word root ZELOS which means to be ZEALOUS or have warmth of feeling towards.  It is an intense desire! Here it refers to a positive energy pocket.

QUESTIONS

  1. After watching this session’s video, what is your biggest takeaway, “ah ha” moment, or challenging thought? Why?
  2. What is your first experience with someone speaking in tongues? Was it a positive or negative experience? 
  3. Should a person avoid speaking in tongues because other people have misused the blessing, projecting some level of madness?
  4. What are your thoughts when you hear of some of the great church fathers (Iraneaus, Tertullian, etc) who spoke in tongues, defended it and/or promoted it? 
  5. What do you think holds people back, causes people to pause or shut down, from this experiential blessing of speaking in tongues? 

PRAYER

Prayer time with the Group.

ENCOURAGEMENT CONNECTION THIS WEEK

PRAY FOR GROUP MEMBER - Pray for at least one person in the Group. Try to identify someone who hasn't been prayed for, or given an encouraging Scripture. Don't worry about feeling inadequate as a prayer. No one feels like they are professional prayers, at least not when they look into eyes of the Almighty God. Praying the Scriptures over people is the best way to learn how to pray effectively. Simply find a Scripture, put the person's name in the text, and pray those words out loud. Then ask the Lord to help you think of things to say to Him about them that would help their lives. 

ASK FOR A SCRIPTURE WORD - Ask God to give you a Scripture to give them to encourage, comfort and edify them. You can Google search "God's Promises" and find a plethora of appropriate texts. Look for one that seems to give you a spark of energy as you think about the person you have been praying for.

DELIVER THE WORD TO THEM - Then send them an email, text or phone call to encourage them. This is how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. As you practice these movements you will expand your own capacity with God, all while giving people much needed hope and strength. 

DISMISS

Patrick NorrisComment