Feeling Fulfilled While Feeling Empty
This week, we tackle the topic of fasting. Even in the Old Testament, we see God commanding his followers to partake in this spiritual practice as both a form of repentance and preparation for things to come. However, as both times and things have changed, both in this world and through the offer of grace from God through Jesus Christ, fasting is no longer a form of penance or a sort of homework to be done. Instead, it has turned into a tool to help us draw closer to God while gaining clarity on things that may be distracting us here on Earth. Join Pastors Christiaan and Steve Ingold as they discuss a bit more about what this practice means to us as followers and how we can utilize it.
1. What emotions arise when the topic of fasting comes up?
2. Has the Holy Spirit ever prompted you to fast outside of Lent or church-wide fasts? If yes, explain.
3. How can you turn deprivation of food, your phone, or a new pair of shoes into something beautiful with God?
4. Read Isaiah 58: 5-7 - "Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
What do you need to empty yourself of to experience the injustice, pain, and poverty this world feels?
5. How can your group pray for you to support your process? Or do you prefer to keep it just between you and God?