In the Workshop--Lesson 14--The Gift of Rest & Sabbath

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why is it difficult to take time to rest?  What worries do you have that hinder you from “stopping” and “delighting” in the LORD?

2.  When was the last time you felt completely satisfied?  What kinds of things bring you satisfaction?  What did you think of Thomas Aquinas’ quote on being satisfied?

3.  How have you seen advertising tap into your infinite desire for more?  Why do you think God gave you desires that are infinite?  How can these infinite desires serve you well in this life?

4.  How do your desires contribute to a feeling of restlessness?  How would a weekly time of “Stop” and “Delight” enable you to better understand and deal with things that make you restless?

5.  How is rest part of the blueprint of creation?  What happens when you build your life with disregard to the blueprint? 

6.  How can a time of Sabbath each week be like a sanctuary within your week?  What kinds of activities help you to rest and worship the LORD?

7.  Why do you suppose God used the Sabbath to remind the Israelites of how He rescued them from slavery in Egypt?  How often do you feel like you have quotas to keep that you can’t say “no” to?  How does taking time to remember how God has set you free help you to feel rested?  What temptations have you had to “return to Egypt”?

8.  How is a Sabbath a practice time to help you be ready for the game in each day of the week?  What should a Sabbath day look like?

In the Workshop--Lesson 13--The Heart Behind Fasting--Genesis 3; Deuteronomy 8

Discussion Questions:

1.  What is your experience with fasting?  What purpose has it played in your walk with God and developing spiritual maturity?

2.  Do you agree with the statement that the life that accepts no limits cannot receive, accept, or appreciate the sovereignty of God?  Why, or why not?  How does this connect to the practice of fasting?

3.  Which do you find easier to neglect: your cravings for food, or your cravings for God? Why? 

4.  How have you seen the limits God places upon certain things provide life, or move us away from death?  How does living with an awareness of limitations produce more dependence upon God?

5.  If it is true that there are some things that can only be accomplished through prayer & fasting, why do we not make fasting more of a priority?  How is fasting NOT a magic wand to get what we want?  Why is it important to grasp that fasting does not put God into our favor?

6.  Describe how the way Jesus handled the temptations from the devil was an abstaining from independence.  What struggle with independence do you have?  How does going through a fast tie to abstaining from independence?

7.  What connection does fasting have with overcoming feelings of entitlement?  Why is denying yourself important in a walk with Jesus?  Why should holiness be our aim above happiness?

In the Workshop--Lesson 12--Silence & Simplicity--Mark 1 & 6

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why is it important to see the many perceptions of what Jesus should be as the Messiah?  How did He drown out the noise and stay focused on what His mission was?  What do you learn for yourself from His example?

2.  Are there different perceptions from the people around you, or from culture, of what you are supposed to be as a child of God?  How do you determine what is true and what should be your priorities?

3.  How often would you estimate that the pressing demands of other people cause you to miss out on accomplishing the mission the LORD has for you that day?  How do silence & solitude help you recognize and face distractions from noise and people?  How do silence and solitude assist in figuring out and setting priorities for your day?

4.  What struggle do you have with fickleness when it comes to your walk with the LORD and service to His Kingdom?  How does pressure from the outside noise influence this?

5.  How would a time of intentional quiet built into each day settle your mind, heart, & soul?  Why is it so difficult to filter out all the noise so that inner quietness can be heard?

6.  How are silence & solitude different from loneliness?  How could silence & solitude help with facing and overcoming feelings of loneliness?

7.  What does it mean to “be still and know that I am God”?  How do you see people fall into “be active and know that I am God”? 

8.  In connection to the previous sermon on simplicity, how does not having a margin of time hinder one from practicing silence & solitude?  How does practicing silence & solitude help one gain more control over their time management?

9.  One of the things that is clear from Mark’s portrayal of Jesus going to the “eremos” (wilderness) is that there will always be people and needs chasing after our time, energy and resources.  How does guilt play into not taking the proper time in the “eremos”?  How do we discern what is sent from God for us to minister to versus what is sent from Satan to fill us with stress and anxiety?

10.  How does “stepping away” help one avoid burnout?  What scheduled steps away do you have in your daily or weekly schedule?

11.  What struggle do you have with listening to respond rather than listening to hear?  Why is listening to hear so important, especially in our relationship with God?  What practices do you have to slow down enough to listen to God instead of just talking?