FUEL: Refuel from Stress
Mark 6:31-39
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Discuss how resolutions made last week in “growing more like Jesus” worked themselves out— what did God do in and through you (Phil 2:13)? Celebrate those together!
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Read: Mark 6:31-39
Review: Remind the group of the focus of this series:
o This series looks at what Scripture says about health in various areas of our lives— places where the truth and grace of God can shine through and sustain us as well as those around us.
o Last week, we looked at refueling in the area of our friendships. How do we recognize a friendship where we can refuel?
o this week, we looked at refueling in the area of STRESS…
The Grand Tour of the message: Thinking back on what you heard this Sunday…
o What did you learn about God?
o What did you learn about people?
o What did you learn about yourself?
o What do you want to commit to putting into practice?
Reflect:
Scott shared that stress was ‘normalized’ in our culture today. Discuss that…
o Why is “stressed out” a normal (chronic) state of life right now— something we expect?
o What are some of the drivers of our stress that block out advice like, “create margins in tour life for Spiritual health and rest”?
Read Hebrews 4:15. Discuss:
o What does it mean that Jesus was our “high Priest”?
o How does the fact Jesus can “sympathize with our weakness” help us with setting margins for our life in Christ to grow?
Read Psalm 42:1-2. Discuss the following questions
o What do we spend most of our time praying about? (Worries, relationships, decisions, guilt/shame, praise…?)
o As you read the rest of this Psalm, David is consistently moving between anxiety/fear/discouragement… and hope. Have members read the rest of the psalm and identify the sources of that anxiety vs the sources of his hope.
o Read Matthew 6:7-14. What of our normal prayer life echoes Jesus Prayer? What areas do we leave out/avoid?
Read Mark 6:31-38. Discuss the following questions
o Jesus went from ministering in a VERY full day to going off to a lonely place to pray. What can we learn from that example that helps us with “refueling”?
o In response to “Everyone is looking for You!” Jesus said, “We need to move on to other towns.”
o Jesus was driven by a sense of calling, purpose, “That is why I have come.” How does that help us with ‘refueling under stress”? How do you recognize when it is time to walk away (morning, day 2) vs time to stay and minister (evening, day 1)?
The message ended with 2 practical to-do items. Discuss each area:
o Build margin to be alone with God
o Live from God’s calling, not others expectations
Respond:
o Stress may be normal, but its not healthy! Share some of the stresses you currently feel (as appropriate) and take them to the Lord in prayer together.
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