May 9 – When God Rests: Sabbath // Genesis 2:1-3 – Paul Gazdik
3 Questions
- How did last week’s challenge go? (Practice the four activities (Pray, Lean, Rest, Wait). Reflect on how you experience rest and the impact on your life, heart, relationships. . . . )
- Read Isaiah 30:15. What things must I/we repent of inorder to experience God’s rest and salvation? Think through your/our relationship to work, tech, time, money, possessions etc.
- What’s the connection between rest and salvation? How might practicing weekly sabbath transform you emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually?
2 Prayer Prompts
- God, I repent of how I have been frantically living, specifically how . . .
- God, thank you for calling us to rest. To cease trying to be God and to rejoice in the reality that you are God. I thank you specifically for how you are in complete control in . . .
1 Action
Take a 24 hour sabbath rest (cf Sunday’s sermon for steps & tips). Record and share how it impacted you and why.
May 2 – When God Cries: Weariness // Matthew 26:36-45 – Kevin Stieva
3 Questions
- How did last week’s challenge go? Pray through Revelation 3:20 journaling the ways in which God is visiting you these days and how you are responding.
- Which of the four activities (Pray, Lean, Rest, Wait) that we spoke of in the message is easiest for you? Most difficult? Why?
- Read Matthew 11: 28-30. What are the burdens you carry that you need to lay aside? What does rest look like for you?
2 Prayer Prompts
- Thank God for the promise of rest and ask to experience that rest in your lives.
- Pray for someone who is struggling with weariness and for how you may be a source of support and encouragement.
1 Action
Practice the four activities (Pray, Lean, Rest, Wait). Reflect on how you experience rest and the impact on your life, heart, relationships.
April 25 – When God Cries: Tears of Repentance // Luke 19:41-44 – Paul Gazdik
3 Questions
- How did last week’s challenge go? (Think of one person you know who is afflicted or struggling in some way. Brainstorm ways you can show compassion . . . )
- Read Luke 19:41-44. How does the fact that God incarnate wept challenge the way you see and respond to God and to Covid?
- Read Revelation 3:14, 20. Keeping mind who it was written to: What are the parallels to Luke 19:41-44? How might God be visiting his church and/or you these days?
2 Prayer Prompts
- God, thank you for caring so perfectly for us. I see your care in how . . .
- God, change the way I see you and respond to you, specifically in the area of . . .
1 Action
Pray through Revelation 3:20 journaling the ways in which God is visiting you these days and how you are responding.
April 18 – When God Cries: God Suffers With Us // John 11:1-44 – Ryan Farrell
3 Questions
- How did last week’s challenge go? (Pray through Hebrews 4:16 daily, praying for yourself and for others that you know that are struggling these days. Journal God’s answers and the encouragement he brings to you.)
- Reread John 11:1-44. If you’re in a group break up the story and each read a segment. Read as expressive as you can. Picture yourself in the scene, engaging your imagination. What stands out to you most about the story? What does it unveil about God’s character and nature?
- In your own words, how did Ryan propose an “answer” to the “problem of suffering” in the sermon? Do you agree or disagree? How have you experienced God’s compassion (suffering alongside) personally in your life or seen it in the life of someone else?
2 Prayer Prompts
- God, have compassion on . . .
- Jesus, thank you that you have suffered alongside me through . .
1 Action
Think of one person you know who is afflicted or struggling in some way. Brainstorm ways you can show compassion (your willingness to “suffer alongside”) to this individual. And then start, even if it seems small!
April 11 – When God Cries: Tears of Lament // Hebrews 5:5-10 – Paul Gazdik
3 Questions
- How did last week’s action challenge go? (Read and meditate on 2 Cor 5:16-21 daily asking God to change the way you see him, yourself and others. )
- Read Hebrews 4:14-5:10. C. S. Lewis said, Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one. How does knowing Jesus experienced suffering, fatigue, disappointment and heartbreak change the way you relate to God and your circumstances?
- Read Hebrews 5:7. What expressions of emotion of Jesus do you most relate to these days and why?
2 Prayer Prompts
- Praise God for the fact that he gets us, even the Covid us!
- Pray through Hebrews 4:16 asking the Holy Spirit to give voice to your lament.
1 Action
Keep praying through Hebrews 4:16 daily. For yourself and for others that you know are struggling these days. Journal God’s answers and the encouragement he brings to you.