We do not have endless time and energy. Building our lives around the world’s constant demands will lead us to exhaustion, broken relationships, and a disconnection from our own soul. Instead of living without limits, Jesus invites us into a healthy spirituality. In this message we’ll look at how Jesus ordered his life around healthy spiritual rhythms which helped keep him vitally available for whatever life threw his way.

Group Discussion Guide

To see the leader guide for this week CLICK HERE

Introduction

Spend a few minutes discussing with your group how their week is going. What are some of their highs and lows?

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.

Key Verse

Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” 

Opening

The world pushes and pulls us in many ways. One of the most obvious ways we can see this is when we take note of our level of energy output compared to what we feel we need to accomplish, or which demands we need to meet. Whether this expectation is placed on us by our culture, family, or even ourselves, life is not supposed to be a contest to see how much you can catch up before you fall behind again. Quite the opposite, in fact. When we look at the life of Jesus, we can see that God, invites us to slow down, take a breath, and know that he is God. One of the ways he invites us to do this is through practical, regular rhythms that orient our minds and our bodies around God. 

Big idea for the week: We can find new spiritual rhythms of life with God.

Connect

• Jason talked on Sunday about the unhealthy demands we place on ourselves to feel like a functioning part of our world. What are some ways you feel this tenson in your own life?
• What are your personal signs you are functioning in a healthy way? What are your indications of functioning in an unhealthy way?
• Which spiritual rhythms have you established in your life? Which rhythms have you wanted to establish, but are difficult to make happen?

Unpack

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions.

READ

• James 1:22
• Psalms 119:105

DISCUSS

• What role does apathy play in your application of what you read in the Bible?
• Why does it matter if you have regular spiritual practices in your life?

READ

• Mark 1:35
• Matthew 6:5-6
• Matthew 11:28-29

DISCUSS

• How did Jesus typically spend time in prayer? What, then, should our times of prayer look like?
• When was the last time you had a consistent routine of prayer in your life?
• What is your experience with placing times of intentional, spiritually focused rest (otherwise known as “sabbath”), into your life?
• How could implementing prayer and sabbath into your life give you rest? What could that look like, practically?

Apply

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group in order to determine what your personal action steps for the week can be:

• What elements of your life could you place limits on to make space for God to connect with you?
• How can you take steps to implement a system of spiritually focused rest into your life?
• What are some ways your group can help you be effective in your practice of spiritual rhythms this week and beyond?

Closing

To be able to imitate God and walk in love like Christ, we need to be spiritually healthy. Establishing new spiritual rhythms or being faithful in the rhythms we practice already is necessary to do this. A person cannot help someone swim if they are already drowning. This week, take some time to think through, and then establish, the spiritual practices of prayer and sabbath into your life. Remember, this can be a slow process to do well and be committed to, but it starts with a first step. Thankfully, you have a system of people around you right now to help you along the way. Let’s do our best to begin or continue putting these spiritual rhythms into practice in our lives, to connect better with God and find true rest.

Daily Bible Reading

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below.

Scripture: Read the verses several times out loud.
Observation: As you read the scripture what do you observe.
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do or feel based on what you have read?
Pray: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read, and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned.

• Day 1: Psalms 23:1-3
• Day 2: Nahum 1:7
• Day 3: Romans 15:13
• Day 4: Leviticus 23:3
• Day 5: Psalms 34:8
• Day 6: Psalms 73:26