Life moves at warp speed and we have had to become masters of frantic-paced living. Without realizing it, our soul begins to grow weary, shallow, and empty as it dissolves to a margin-less life. Meanwhile, busyness robs our soul of the rest we can only find in Christ. - Pastor Dave
Open: How have you experienced life’s frantic pace? Describe a situation when you felt empty due to busyness:
Read: Mark 1; Exodus 20:8-11; Colossians 2:16-17; Matthew 11:28-30
Discuss:
1. Describe the concept of “margins”: In what ways do you see “margins” pushed past limits in our culture? How about in your life personally? How do these empty spaces keep us from feeling empty? What connection do you see between the frantic pace of life and the high levels of stress? How have we tried to solve these issues culturally? In what ways have these ideas only exacerbated the problem?
2. How is Mark 1 a picture of both Christ’s deity and humanity? Describe how the word “immediately” is used throughout Mark to paint a picture of Christ’s ministry? How can immediacy create busyness?
3. In what ways do we confuse busyness with faithfulness? How do we use busyness to inflate our importance? How vital is the word “no” in a culture with frantic lifestyles? Why is “no” so difficult for us to say?
4. Describe the pattern of rest laid out for us in Scripture: Why did God rest after creation? How does Christ model rest for us? Why is rest such a difficult experience in our culture today? How should the spiritual rest we have in Christ motivate physical and emotional rest in our lives?
5. How does our purpose help us live in the right priorities? How is our purpose hindered when we give in to the demands of culture? What would you consider the most important things in your life?
Pray: Take some time out of your schedule this week just to pray and bask in God’s faithfulness to you. Thank Him for filling you with eternal promises.
Memorize/Meditate: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
