Lesson form The Breath of YHWH

# Small Group Guide: The Breath of YHWH

## Opening Prayer
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit's presence into your gathering. Ask God to breathe life into your discussion and understanding.

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## Introduction & Ice Breaker
**Question:** Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt God's presence so powerfully that it changed you? Share briefly with the group.

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## Key Sermon Points

### 1. **The Sacred Name and Breath**
- Yahweh (YHWH) sounds like breathing - inhale and exhale
- Every breath we take speaks His name
- God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7)

### 2. **The Distinction of Humanity**
- We are made in God's image: spirit, mind, and body
- Only 8 souls were saved on the ark (1 Peter 3:20)
- We are different from animals - we have eternal spirits

### 3. **The Two Breaths**
- **First Breath:** Physical life given at creation
- **Second Breath:** Spiritual life through the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)
- The Day of Pentecost - when the church was truly born (Acts 2:2-4)

### 4. **The Last Breath**
- Jesus' last breath: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46)
- Our last breath is God inhaling us back to Himself
- Death for believers is passing from this life into eternal glory

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## Discussion Questions

### Understanding the Message
1. What does it mean to you that every breath you take speaks God's name? How does this change your awareness of His constant presence?

2. The pastor shared his personal experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1999. What does being "born again" mean to you? Have you experienced this second breath?

3. Why is the distinction between humans having souls and animals having only breath important? How does this affect how we view our purpose and eternity?

### Going Deeper
4. Jesus breathed on the disciples in John 20:22, but nothing happened until Pentecost. Why do you think there was a waiting period? What does this teach us about God's timing?

5. The sermon describes God's presence as light that doesn't fight darkness - it simply displaces it. Where in your life do you need to invite God's light rather than trying to fight darkness on your own?

6. The pastor said, "You are the high priest of your temple." What does this responsibility mean practically? How are you stewarding the Holy Spirit's presence in your life?

### Personal Reflection
7. The sermon honored Miss Joan, who "fought the good fight of faith" and "finished the race." What does finishing well look like for you? What needs to change in your life to ensure you finish strong?

8. Thinking about taking your last breath - does this thought bring fear or peace? Why? How does understanding that God "inhales us back" change your perspective on death?

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## Key Takeaways

✓ **God gives both physical and spiritual breath** - We need both to fulfill our purpose

✓ **We are temples of the Holy Spirit** - One-third "wall to wall Holy Ghost"

✓ **The Holy Spirit is the promise** - Not just the resurrection, but the indwelling Spirit makes us new creations

✓ **Death is not the end** - It's being received back into God's presence, the birth of our afterlife

✓ **We have an eternal spirit** - Made in God's image to live forever with Him

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## Practical Applications

### This Week's Challenge:
Choose one or more of these applications to practice this week:

1. **Breath Prayer Practice**
   - Throughout your day, as you breathe, whisper "Yahweh" (inhale "Yah," exhale "weh")
   - Let each breath remind you of God's presence and that your life comes from Him

2. **Spirit Awareness**
   - Each morning, acknowledge that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit
   - Ask: "How am I carrying God's presence today? Am I honoring this temple?"

3. **Light Over Darkness**
   - Identify one area where you've been "fighting" darkness (worry, fear, sin, etc.)
   - Instead of fighting, intentionally invite God's light through worship, prayer, or Scripture
   - Watch what happens when light shows up

4. **Eternal Perspective**
   - Journal about what "finishing the race" looks like for your life
   - Write down 2-3 specific ways you want to be remembered for your faith

5. **Honor Someone**
   - Like the pastor honored Miss Joan, reach out to someone in your church family
   - Tell them specifically how they've impacted your faith journey

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## Memory Verse
**Job 33:4** - "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

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## Closing Reflection

**Question for Silent Meditation:**
If today were your last breath, would you be ready to be received back into God's presence? What would you want to have accomplished? What would you regret not doing?

*(Allow 2-3 minutes of silence)*

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## Closing Prayer

Pray together:
- Thank God for the breath of life - both physical and spiritual
- Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh
- Pray for those who haven't experienced the "second breath" of salvation
- Remember those who have recently passed, like Miss Joan
- Ask for courage to finish the race well

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## Before Next Week
- Share with one person outside the group about the Holy Spirit's work in your life
- Practice the breath prayer daily
- Reflect on how you're stewarding your "temple"

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*"We are born into sin and death because of what Adam did. But when the Lord Jesus Christ came back, he breathed into our spirit's life and he brought us back from the dead."*