Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Opening Question
What is one habit or practice you do to prioritize your mental, physical, or spiritual health?
In the sermon, Pastor Morgan highlighted three marks of our spiritual health. Today we will discuss his points and strategize ways to implement them.
Hungering for the right things
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (satisfied).
– Matthew 5:6
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
– Galatians 5:22-23
What does it look like to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Are there any circumstances “filling” your mind and heart currently, distracting you from hungering for the right things?
Which of the spiritual fruit from Galatians 5 are you most hungry for in your current season of life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
How could fasting from food, media, or something else help stir your hunger for God?
To hope in the right one
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.– Isaiah 40:30-31
“Hope” = the Hebrew verb qavah, which means “to bind together”
“Renew” = the Hebrew chalaph, which means “to glide on by”
Do you feel or consider yourself bound together with God? Why or why not?
Have you ever had a hope fulfilled? What was that like?
Where in your life do you long to be renewed and “glide on by” along the path you are on?
Pastor Morgan suggested contemplative practices, such as sitting in silence, to help bind us to God. If you’ve practiced contemplative prayer in the past, can you share your experience with it?
To rest in the right way.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
– Matthew 11:28
“Rest” = the Greek word anapauso, which means a break
Do you tend to overwork yourself or avoid stillness and rest somehow?
In your current season of life, what responsibilities, pressures, or struggles cause you to long for a break or a rest?
What does a day of rest look like for you? Are there any changes you’d like to make in this area of your life?
Why do you think God commands his people to rest one day of the week? How does obeying this command help us connect with him? How does it help us connect with others?
Closing Thought
“Many of us try to shove spiritual transformation into the nooks and crannies of a life that is already unmanageable, rather than being willing to arrange our life for what our heart most wants. We think that somehow we will fall into transformation by accident.”
– Ruth Haley Barton
If the place you meet allows for it, spend your final time together in contemplative prayer, resting and allowing God to meet you in a short time of silence. Set a timer for five minutes and have each person find a comfortable place to sit. Choose a word (i.e. peace, hope, Jesus, etc) to focus on while you sit in silence, allowing God’s presence and nearness to surround you.
If this is not possible, because you meet in a place where there is noise or children present, end your time praying for one another, asking God to help you hunger for him in greater measure.