JUNE 23
SABBATH & FASTING
Sabbath & fasting are the answers to the problems of business and misdirection.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What comes to mind when you hear the words Spiritual practices? What has been your experience before this series with spiritual practices like: Hospitality, Prayer, Scripture, Fasting, Sabbath, Community?
- Does your life reflect the ways/pace of this world, or the rhythms of God more? What makes you answer in that way? What might need to change?
3. Read Romans 6:1-13.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about following Jesus?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
4. Take some time and explore the resources from Practicing the way below. Consider how you might begin to practice Fasting or implementing a Sabbath day and what obstacles might stand in your way. Also use the guide below to pray for our students who are going to camp on Thursday, June 27th!!
SCRIPTURE
Romans 6:1-13 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
PRAYER
Use these guides to pray for our Students, Volunteers, and Staff who will be attending camp this Thursday-Monday!
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PRACTICE
Visit Practicingtheway.org and explore the Fasting and Sabbath Practices. These are four week video guided practices that will walk you through implementing fasting and sabbath into your life. Get a few friends or your Spiritual Running Partners together, set up a free account, and work through one of these practices together! I promise you will be a more free, joyful, rested human on the other side of this!
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK FOR PRESCHOOL – 2 Kings 6:8–23
This week we learned that God is with us when we are scared.
THE BIBLE: “So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s true Bible story, something scary happens to two men. One of them feels afraid, but the other one stays brave.
THE BIG IDEA: God helps me be brave.
THIS WEEK FOR ELEMENTARY – Ephesians 6:10–17
THE BIBLE: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11
THE MESSAGE:
Did you know that you are part of a battle every single day? It’s not a battle against people, it’s a battle against the devil and his temptation. You see, the devil hates it when people love God and follow His rules, so he attacks us with temptation. He tries to get us to sin. And if you’re not wearing the armor of God, it’s hard to defend yourself.
THE BIG IDEA: God gives us His armor so that we can stand up to the devil’s temptation.
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- Why do you think we need the armor of God?
- Why do you think it’s important to stand up against the devil? What happens if you don’t?