Discover God’s Rhythms

Are you living on autopilot, shaped more by the rhythms around you than the ones you choose? In a world where most habits are set for us, we often end up shaped by patterns that drain us rather than give life. This week, we’ll explore the ancient rhythm of living by Scripture. We’ll see how God’s Word brings the stability, clarity, and nourishment our souls need. And we’ll discover how inviting Jesus into even one disordered area can open the way to healthier, life-giving rhythms.  Watch Full Service Discussion Guide  To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here. To view a .docx version of this guide, click here. Before beginning, take a quiet moment and pray for God’s direction of your time together  Introduction   Last week, we finished our Milestones series, and we were invited to allow our relationship with God to shape our identity and meaning in life. How did that go this week?    This week, we’re talking about finding “spiritual rhythms” in our lives, like prayer, Bible reading, sharing our faith, and worship. God wants us to have these kinds of rhythms, forming us into the people God created us to be.    Connect   What is one routine you follow almost automatically?   Do prefer predictability or flexibility?   Why do you prefer this? What habit has helped you feel grounded? When has one left you feeling drained?   Opening    We all live by rhythms – some we choose, some we inherit, and some that just seem to happen to us. Think of your calendar, when and what you eat, your bedtime, or how you manage your money. Sometimes rhythms help us become who God created us to be while others may quietly shape us in unhealthy ways. Jesus invites us into intentional rhythms rooted in God’s Word.   This leads us to our Main Idea for this week  We should build intentional spiritual rhythms that are rooted in God’s word.   Unpack   Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses. You’ll notice this week that we’re reading one passage at a time and answering a few questions before reading another passage of scripture.   Read  Joshua 1:7–9    In this passage, the importance of hearing from God is shown as Joshua is stepping into becoming the new leader of God’s people following the death of Moses.    How do you think God’s words would have impacted Joshua in that moment?   How might reading this passage be connected to courage in your life?    Where in your life do you feel most in need of guidance right now? How might reading passages of scripture like this shape that area of your life?    Read James 1:22–25   In this passage, James, a leader in early Christianity, writes about the importance of not just reading the Bible but doing what God says.   What difference do you see between reading the Bible and living it?  What is James trying to communicate with this mirror illustration?   Has anything you’ve learned about Jesus reshaped one of your habits or daily rhythms, or are there areas that Jesus needs to shape?  Read Isaiah 55:10–11   This passage was written by a Hebrew prophet describing the benefit that God’s word brings to our lives.   How is God’s word described in terms of growth and nourishment?   Where in your life does it feel like the ground is dry or growth has stalled? Where might you need fresh renewal from God?  What does this suggest about how knowing Jesus can change us over time?  Discovery & Application  This is a new reflection section we’ll be using throughout this series. Take a few minutes to consider what these passages reveal and how they invite you to respond.  What do these passages reveal about who God is?  What do these passages reveal about us/others?  What do these passages invite/inspire you to think/feel/do?  Action Step   Choose one area of your life and intentionally invite Jesus into it through regular time in God’s word this week.    Think of a normal rhythm in your life, like work, friendships, school, or personal time ,that Jesus would like to be more a part of. How could you invite him in? What is one idea that comes to mind that you can do? Here are some examples:   Notice where “doing” has replaced “being.” Try reading a short Bible passage before starting your day or before bed.   You have a strained relationship. Bring that to God in prayer and look for biblical wisdom about forgiveness or patience.   Busyness and hurriedness define you. Take regular short breaks throughout the day and during those breaks, slowly read a short Bible passage and reflect on it, or take a walk and talk to God.    If you don’t have a physical Bible, Journey would love to give you one! Please stop by the Connections area at church on Sunday. You can also download the Bible App by YouVersion. We reference the NLT Bible translation at Journey of Faith.   Closing   We all live by rhythms, but we can choose whether those rhythms will drain us or spiritually energize us. Discovering God’s rhythms, starting with reading and applying the Bible to our lives can help us become more grounded and more alive with God.     Pray Together  Pray for the Missionary Focus this week, then take prayer requests from your group and conclude your time in prayer for your group.  Missionary Focus  Rich and Debbie Frazer  **For some of our missionaries, certain details are kept private to protect their safety and the sensitive nature of their work. Thank you for understanding as we share what we can.:   Rich serves as the president SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International which focuses on evangelism, discipleship, and compassion.  Prayer Requests:   That Rich and Debbie would continue to utilize God’s discernment as the ministry grows.   For their many global leaders to continue to be empowered through SOS’s support and trainings.   Spend a few minutes in prayer for Rich and Debbie  Reflection Verse for the Week  *Read this verse, then encourage the practice of reflection and memorization throughout the week.  Psalm 119:105  “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”  **When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.  Daily Devotional Verses  Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below.  Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned.  Day 1: Proverbs 4:20–23  Day 2: Psalm 19:7–11  Day 3: 2 Timothy 3:16–17  Day 4: John 8:31–32  Day 5: Colossians 3:16  Day 6: Romans 12:2      The post Discover God’s Rhythms appeared first on Journey of Faith.