February 4, 2018 - Divine Rhythm

Foundations of Discipleship Week 2: Divine Rhythm Review: How did devo's, fasting, and Sabbath go? Genesis 1 God has a rhythm by which He does things. How long did God need to take to create? Pattern of Creation: Day 1 : Day 4 Day 2 : Day 5 Day 3 : Day 6 Light : lights Sky/Waters:fish/birds Land : animals/man Evening and morning constitutes “day”. Where does the day start? What is the very first thing God intends His creation to do each day? Why did God rest? “It is good” = it works, Hebrew for functionality. Sabbath and “evening and morning” are the markers for our own rhythm Matt. 11:25-30 “come to me all you who are …” Do you begin rested? We can’t manage time…but we can manage ourselves in time. Daily rhythm: we start with rest and we are joining what God is already doing. Is your view of “self” rooted in Eden or Babel? We are built for work. ‘Good’ work is in cooperation with God. God’s rhythm is in direct opposition to the performance culture we live in. Sabbath is like the towers holding up a bridge, and the span is the days of the week. Three Primary, Sustaining Rhythms Daily – Evening and Morning – rest as the foundation to work Sabbath – forming the Towers between which the week is suspended and by which it is held together Annual – feasts and fasts – retreat days – reflection and celebration (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost) What if we had a locked in rhythm? It gives freedom to the musicians to make music. Cultivating a Sabbath Heart – Psalm 131 O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O People of God, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever. 10 Week Experiment · Continue the Daily Rhythm, Fasting, Sabbath For Next Week’s discussion: · If you are able between now and next week, set aside at least 6 hours to be alone with Jesus – without agenda. Just to be with him in a sacred place. · Choose one day this week and observe silence – speak only when spoken to and as necessary, and to ease any tensions. Let family/friends know what you are doing. Make note of your observations of experimenting with solitude/silence. THE POINT OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES IS NOT TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE REST OF LIFE, BUT RATHER, THIS IS HOW I LIVE MY LIFE. Foundations of Discipleship Week 2: Divine Rhythm Review: How did devo's, fasting, and Sabbath go? Genesis 1 God has a rhythm by which He does things. How long did God need to take to create? Pattern of Creation: Day 1 : Day 4 Day 2 : Day 5 Day 3 : Day 6 Light : lights Sky/Waters:fish/birds Land : animals/man Evening and morning constitutes “day”. Where does the day start? What is the very first thing God intends His creation to do each day? Why did God rest? “It is good” = it works, Hebrew for functionality. Sabbath and “evening and morning” are the markers for our own rhythm Matt. 11:25-30 “come to me all you who are …” Do you begin rested? We can’t manage time…but we can manage ourselves in time. Daily rhythm: we start with rest and we are joining what God is already doing. Is your view of “self” rooted in Eden or Babel? We are built for work. ‘Good’ work is in cooperation with God. God’s rhythm is in direct opposition to the performance culture we live in. Sabbath is like the towers holding up a bridge, and the span is the days of the week. Three Primary, Sustaining Rhythms Daily – Evening and Morning – rest as the foundation to work Sabbath – forming the Towers between which the week is suspended and by which it is held together Annual – feasts and fasts – retreat days – reflection and celebration (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost) What if we had a locked in rhythm? It gives freedom to the musicians to make music. Cultivating a Sabbath Heart – Psalm 131 O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O People of God, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever. 10 Week Experiment · Continue the Daily Rhythm, Fasting, Sabbath For Next Week’s discussion: · If you are able between now and next week, set aside at least 6 hours to be alone with Jesus – without agenda. Just to be with him in a sacred place. · Choose one day this week and observe silence – speak only when spoken to and as necessary, and to ease any tensions. Let family/friends know what you are doing. Make note of your observations of experimenting with solitude/silence. THE POINT OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES IS NOT TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE REST OF LIFE, BUT RATHER, THIS IS HOW I LIVE MY LIFE. What does God have in mind in creating Sabbath? Non-anxious, enjoyable, communion/face-time with Him Foundation for the eighth day of creation -when are you most creative? The Gift of the Fourth Word -they are received as “this is how life works” So, is God harmed if we don’t pay attention to the ten words? Starting at 6pm enter into God’s rest, you are created, and you are redeemed. Sabbath is… 1. To enter God’s non-anxious presence and learn it ourselves 2. A foundation and frame for our work (recalibration of my soul) 3. A way of humility, trust, dependence, and a statement of faith 4. A way of sanctifying/redeeming time 5. A way of seeking God’s Kingdom and Righteousness first 6. A way of training for the Kingdom(both now and to come) 7. A way of worship (honoring God as creator and redeemer) Ways of Sabbath Worship Community Rest Retreat Prayer Play Windows of the Soul -physical: exercise, body matters to God -emotional: beauty -spiritual: kneeling, worship, prayer (for an hour) -social: journey is best shared -intellectual: study, mental workout on “issues”, theological reflection (this is not a “should” but a relationship with Jesus)