Embracing the Wild: Spirit-Led Living in God’s Family

Summary

Romans 8 reminds us that being led by the Spirit of God is the defining mark of being a child of God. This isn’t about living in fear or under the weight of religious rules, but about stepping into the wild, adventurous life that Jesus modeled—a life marked by obedience, trust, and intimacy with our Father. The world’s idea of “wild” is often chaos or rebellion, but the wildest life is actually one of Spirit-led obedience, where we are free to follow God wherever He leads, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging.

Family has defining marks, and in God’s family, the mark is Spirit-led living. This isn’t just about believing the right things, but about following the Spirit’s leadership. It’s about opting in, saying yes to God’s guidance, and trusting Him as a good Father. Many of us struggle with leadership because we associate it with control or fear, but God’s leadership is not about slavery—it’s about adoption, identity, and inheritance. We are not meant to live in fear, but to live as beloved sons and daughters, fully free and fully known.

Trials and suffering are not signs of God’s absence, but opportunities for growth. In the wild, trials don’t break us—they build us. God uses these moments to mature us, to teach us to trust Him, and to shape our desires. Discipline isn’t what holds us back; it’s our desires that often lead us astray. God’s goal is not to suppress our desires, but to transform them so that we want what He wants. This is the journey of growing up in God’s family—moving from being protected, to participating, to being prepared, and finally to being released into the wild with wisdom.

Knowing God’s Word is important, but it’s not enough to just know—it must be lived out. Obedience is where transformation happens. The Spirit doesn’t just change our minds or hearts, but also our words. Our speech becomes a powerful tool for building up, encouraging, and proclaiming the truth. When the Spirit leads, our words carry wild horsepower—they can bring life, healing, and hope to those around us.

This is an invitation to step out of comfort and into the wild with Jesus. To trust the Spirit’s leadership, to embrace trials as training, to let God shape our desires, to move from knowing to doing, and to use our words for God’s purposes. The wild life with Jesus isn’t safe, but it is full of purpose, freedom, and the joy of being God’s beloved child.

Key Takeaways

- Spirit-Led Living Is the Mark of God’s Family
Being a child of God is not just about belief, but about being led by the Spirit. This leadership is not about control or fear, but about intimacy and trust—calling God “Abba, Father.” The Spirit’s leadership invites us to opt in, to follow, and to live as true sons and daughters, marked by freedom and belonging. [05:16]

- Trials Are Training Grounds, Not Setbacks
The wild life with God is not pain-free, but it is purpose-filled. Trials and suffering are not evidence of God’s absence, but proof of His investment in our growth. God uses hardship to mature us, to teach us wisdom, and to deepen our trust, turning what could break us into what builds us. [12:38]

- Desire, Not Discipline, Is the Real Battleground
Sin and temptation are not just discipline problems—they are desire problems. We are lured by what we want, not just by lack of self-control. God’s parenting aims to transform our desires, so that we want what He wants, leading to true freedom and lasting change. [20:02]

- Obedience Transforms Knowledge Into Life
Knowing God’s Word is not enough; transformation comes through obedience. The Spirit moves us from merely listening to actually doing, from education to action. True spiritual maturity is measured by our follow-through, not just our understanding. [22:38]

- Spirit-Empowered Words Carry Wild Power
The Spirit doesn’t just fill our minds and hearts, but also our mouths. Our words, when led by the Spirit, become powerful tools for encouragement, truth, and proclamation. The world needs to hear what God is doing, and our speech—guided by the Spirit—can bring life and hope, even when it seems risky or misunderstood. [34:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - Redefining “Wild” in the Christian Life
[05:16] - Family Marks and Spirit-Led Identity
[08:18] - Freedom from Fear and Slavery
[10:24] - Running from God vs. Running to God
[11:13] - Trials: Breaking or Building?
[12:38] - Joy in Trials and the Path to Maturity
[13:35] - Asking the Father for Wisdom
[15:24] - Suffering, Inheritance, and Growth
[16:49] - Discipline vs. Desire: The Real Struggle
[18:29] - The Nature of Temptation and Sin
[20:02] - Transforming Desires, Not Just Behavior
[22:38] - From Knowing to Doing: Obedience in Action
[30:45] - Moving Beyond Bible Study to Practice
[32:31] - The Power of Words and the Spirit
[34:22] - Spirit-Filled Speech and Its Impact
[36:38] - Boldness, Rejection, and the Call to Speak
[38:42] - Stepping Into the Wild: Application and Prayer
[39:50] - Receiving the Spirit of Adoption
[40:57] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Into the Wild – Spirit-Led Living

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### Bible Reading

- Romans 8:14-17
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the spirit of adoption as sons, as daughters, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."

- James 1:2-4, 13-14
"Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing... Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire."

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 8:14-17, what is the defining mark of being a child of God? How does Paul contrast the spirit of slavery with the spirit of adoption? [05:16]

2. In James 1:2-4, what does James say trials and testing produce in us? What is the end goal of these trials? [12:38]

3. The sermon mentions that God’s leadership is not about fear or control, but about adoption and intimacy. What phrases or words in Romans 8 support this idea? [08:18]

4. According to James 1:13-14, where does temptation come from? How does this challenge the idea that God is the one tempting us? [20:02]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Being a child of God is not just about belief, but about being led by the Spirit.” What does it look like in real life to be “led by the Spirit” rather than just believing the right things? [05:16]

2. The pastor said, “Trials don’t break you—they build you.” How might this change the way someone views suffering or hard times in their life? [12:38]

3. The message claims that “discipline isn’t what holds us back; it’s our desires that often lead us astray.” How does this idea shift the way we think about sin and temptation? [20:02]

4. The sermon points out that “knowing the Bible doesn’t change you. Obeying it does.” Why do you think obedience is so important for spiritual growth? [22:38]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “opt in” to God’s leadership and say yes to the Spirit’s guidance. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been resisting God’s leadership? What would it look like to say yes this week? [05:16]

2. When facing trials or suffering, do you tend to see them as setbacks or as opportunities for growth? Can you share a recent trial and how you responded? How might you approach it differently in light of this message? [12:38]

3. The pastor said, “We don’t just need more self-control; we need better desires.” Is there a desire in your life that you know needs to be transformed? What would it look like to ask God to change what you want, not just what you do? [20:02]

4. Think about a time when you knew what God wanted you to do, but you didn’t follow through. What held you back? What step of obedience could you take this week, even if it feels uncomfortable? [22:38]

5. The message talked about the power of our words when led by the Spirit. Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement, truth, or hope? What is one specific thing you could say to build them up this week? [34:22]

6. The sermon described the “wild life” with Jesus as not always being safe, but always being full of purpose and freedom. Does following Jesus feel “wild” or “safe” to you right now? Why? What might it look like to step out of your comfort zone in faith? [38:42]

7. The pastor encouraged us to move from just knowing to actually doing. Is there a spiritual practice or act of service you’ve been putting off? What’s one thing you can commit to doing this week to put your faith into action? [30:45]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and empower your group to step into the “wild” life of following Jesus—trusting Him as a good Father, embracing trials as training, letting God shape your desires, and using your words for His purposes.

Devotional

Day 1: Led by the Spirit—The Mark of God’s Family
To be a child of God is to be led by the Spirit, not just to believe certain things or follow rules. The defining mark of God’s family is a willingness to trust, depend, and say “yes” to the Spirit’s leadership, just as children trust their parents. This leadership is not about control or fear, but about belonging, intimacy, and freedom. When you follow the Spirit’s leading, you step into your true identity as God’s beloved child, fully known, fully loved, and fully free. [05:16]

Romans 8:14-17 (ESV)
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Reflection: Where in your life do you resist the Spirit’s leadership, and what would it look like to trust God as your loving Father in that area today?


Day 2: Trials Build, Not Break—Joy in the Wild
In the wild places of life, trials are not setbacks but training grounds where God builds maturity and steadfastness in His children. Rather than running from hardship or resenting difficulty, you are invited to see trials as opportunities for growth, trusting that God is present and generous with wisdom when you ask. Growth is rarely comfortable, but it is the way sons and daughters are made—through trusting God in the midst of suffering, knowing He is shaping you for good. [12:38]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: Think of a current trial or challenge—how might God be using it to build something in you, and how can you respond with trust and joy today?


Day 3: Desire, Not Discipline, Holds You Back
It’s not a lack of discipline that keeps you from living the wild, Spirit-led life, but misplaced desires. Temptation is rooted in what you want, not just in external circumstances or lack of willpower. God, as a loving Father, is not trying to control you but to shape your desires so that you want what is truly good. Instead of just trying harder to resist temptation, ask God to change your heart and give you new desires that align with His. [20:02]

James 1:13-14 (ESV)
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Reflection: What is one desire you know is pulling you away from God’s best—will you ask God today to change your heart and help you want what He wants?


Day 4: Move from Knowing to Doing—Obedience is the Way
Learning about God is important, but transformation comes through obedience—putting God’s Word into practice. The Spirit doesn’t just remind you of what Jesus said; He empowers you to do it. Don’t settle for more knowledge or another Bible study if you’re not living out what you already know. Take the next step of obedience, even if it feels small or you don’t feel ready, and let the Spirit move you from knowing to doing. [22:38]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one thing you know God has asked you to do, but you haven’t acted on yet? What step can you take today to put it into practice?


Day 5: The Spirit Empowers Your Words for Impact
When the Spirit leads you, He transforms not just your heart and mind, but also your words. Your tongue is powerful—capable of building up, speaking truth, and boldly proclaiming Jesus. The Spirit empowers your speech for encouragement, truth, and even boldness, sometimes in ways that may not make sense to everyone but can be life-changing for those who need it. Don’t waste the wild horsepower of your words; let the Spirit guide your speech for God’s purposes. [34:22]

James 1:26 (ESV)
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage, speak truth to, or boldly share Jesus with today—will you let the Spirit guide your words and take that step?

Quotes

In the wild, trials don't break you. They build you.In the wild, trials don't break you. They build you. Here's what James has to say about it. Right off the bat, he says, count it all joy. Everybody say joy.Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds. Anybody do that naturally? Oh, yeah.So great, that diagnosis, that big deadline that now all of a sudden got thrown at you, the interruption of your life, the bill that came. Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [00:11:53] (00:00:45 seconds) Edit Clip

When life gets hard, don't panic. You go, ah, where's God in this? He's not far off, okay? He's not. He's there. He's a father who gives generously. It's always right there. Growth is wild.It's hard, but it's where sons and daughters are made. We're not promised comfort. We're promised growth. And growth is never comfortable. It's not. That's why they call it growing pains. [00:15:09] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

We assume sin is a discipline discipline problem but we're tempted by our own evil desires we have a desire problem it's too hard to fight cannot fight desire not for long anyway so you'll have some success even if you have some success for a little bit you can't fight it forever if you desire food you will give in or you'll get so good at not eating or doing or succeeding that you'll be proud and then oh there you go again you know it's you can't fight it forever we don't just need more self -control we need better desires godly desires holy desires God's not going to control us like robots we don't want him to that's not wild that's not free and where the spirit of the Lord is there's freedom there's freedom he parents us towards what's actually good [00:23:13] (00:00:49 seconds) Edit Clip

His goal though is that we would grow up and start wanting what he wants he doesn't want to control us he wants us to want what he wants and that is good that's good for us he wants us to want good things for us crazy dad you know he wants us to want that so so here's here's the application don't just try it like oh being a Christian is about suppressing desire it's not what I said no redirect desire it's asking God to give you a heart that wants better my heart for my kids is so much better than what they want for themselves honestly yours probably is too for anyone that you love you want better for them than they probably even want for themselves that's love that's love so don't just pray oh God help me stop pray God change change what I want because I'm gonna act out of this desire so give me your desires give me your heart help me to want what you want in life [00:27:59] (00:00:53 seconds) Edit Clip