Study Guide: Choose the Kingdom Groove

Sunday September 2, 2018 | Osheta Moore

Focus Scripture:

• Matthew 11:29-30

  "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

• John 10:10

  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"

• Matthew 3:16-17

  "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

• Galatians 4:4-7

  "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba Father”. So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

• Mark 6:31-32

  "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place."

• Matthew 5:37

  "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

• John 13:34-35

  "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Brief Summary:

This week Osheta invites us to re-evaluate the busyness of our culture and instead model our schedules and lives on the example of Jesus.

Extended Summary:

In September, it can feel like a new opportunity to rethink our schedule and pace of life. Osheta encourages us to look to Jesus as a model of how to structure schedules and priorities. The Message’s translation of Matthew 11:29-30 talks about Jesus inviting us into the “unforced rhythms of grace” while John 10:10 promises us that Jesus has come to give us life abundant. Oftentimes, it can feel like we are burnt out and overbooked instead. However, taking back your schedule is a form of spiritual warfare against the enemy who wants to rob, kill, steal, and destroy.

Osheta shared four principles for experiencing the “unforced rhythms of grace” as it relates to our schedules:

1. You are a beloved human being not a human doing.
   Before Jesus did a single miracle he was proclaimed the beloved of his Father at his baptism. All of the promises of Jesus apply to us as his followers. We are also the beloved children of God. Finding our identity in this truth is the most important place to start.
2. Your body and what it needs to thrive matters.
   Self-care is important. It can be defined as “anything that you do to feel and function at your best”. It is not selfish, and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Every body needs self-care and it is not a privilege. Though it can be a new concept for many, it is critical for being able to love others well.
3. You can say “no”.
   Setting boundaries gives you space to say “yes.” It also helps you to have integrity with the plans you do set. You can graciously say no and offer a smaller yes if it is something you would like to do.
4. You are made to love and be loved.
   Once you are filled up with the love of God, have taken care of your body’s needs, and set appropriate boundaries, you have space to love others well and put the things in your schedule that you are call to.

You don’t have to get it perfect. This is a practice of moving more fully into the unforced rhythms of grace.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever taken time to reflect on your schedule before? Is this a regular process for you? If not, take a few moments to consider your current schedule and pace of life. How are you feeling? What do you wish were different?
• What did you think about what Osheta shared about self-care? Do you consider self-care a privilege? How could you build practices of self-care into your daily or weekly routine?
• Where in your life could you say no? What might be some healthy boundaries for you to start setting?
• Where in your life do you feel God’s invitation to say yes? Ask the Holy Spirit to share with you His thoughts on your schedule. Then reflect with Him on how you could implement those changes.

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