Looking Above Episode 44 - Eternal Rest

03/08/23 • 31 min

This season we're talking about rest. In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn talk about Hebrews 4 and what it can teach us about earthly and eternal rest. They discuss the importance of keeping our eyes on the glory and eternal rest of being with God forever, and Paul’s caution of missing out on that:

Read Hebrews 4 together.
What stands out to you the most in this passage?
Have you ever felt as if you were “wandering the desert” when you didn’t trust God? Explain.
Do you live as if heaven is real?
Do you live life with purpose? Or do you feel easily distracted? Explain.
What are you most excited to rest from in Heaven?
When you hear the phrase “make heaven crowded” what emotion does that evoke in you? Why do you think that is?
Do you feel like you are more focused on pleasure or purpose? Explain.
What scares you the most about sharing Jesus with others? How can you overcome that fear?
What is a way you can “spread your fire” or share Jesus with someone so they can know that peace and rest, too? Make it a goal to do that this week.

Read Hebrews 4 together.
What stands out to you the most in this passage?
Have you ever felt as if you were “wandering the desert” when you didn’t trust God? Explain.
Do you live as if heaven is real?
Do you live life with purpose? Or do you feel easily distracted? Explain.
What are you most excited to rest from in Heaven?
When you hear the phrase “make heaven crowded” what emotion does that evoke in you? Why do you think that is?
Do you feel like you are more focused on pleasure or purpose? Explain.
What scares you the most about sharing Jesus with others? How can you overcome that fear?
What is a way you can “spread your fire” or share Jesus with someone so they can know that peace and rest, too? Make it a goal to do that this week.

Previous Episode

Looking Above Episode 43 - Slowing

This season we're talking about rest. In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn talk about the story of Mary and Martha and what it can teach us about slowing down. Many of us find ourselves in this story, and unfortunately many of us relate to Martha. We live our lives at such a breakneck pace, its easy for us to miss time in Jesus' presence. After listening, take time to slow down and sit with a friend or small group and talk about these questions:

Read the story of Mary, Martha and Jesus again together. Luke 10:38-42 How does busyness impact your relationships?
Has there been a time when life felt "slower"?
How did a slower pace affect your relationships?
Brooklyn said that God has been reminding her she isn't here to get things done, she's here to love people. Are you more focused on tasks or people?
Do you allow tasks and busyness to distract you from people and from what God is doing?
Last week we talked about the phrase "come to me" - how does slowing down relate to coming to Jesus?
Karen suggested that the "better" thing that Mary found was rest. Discuss the idea that true rest can only be found in Jesus' presence.
Jesus did not live a hurried life, because He knew that God had things handled. How would this shift in perspective change the way you live?
Karen offered some ways to assess if your life is full or busy. Talk through each of these (discuss each question, as well as the implications of each).
- a. Are people a bother or are they free to interrupt you?
- b. Are there people who have pushed their way into your inner circles with whom you need to set boundaries?
- c. Are there things you're doing that God didn't call you to, that someone else could do, or that don't need to be done?,
- d. Look at your schedule and assess why you're doing each thing.
Do you/your kids need to be involved in so many activities?
How might simplifying your schedule and slowing down make space for rest and God?
Practice the pause. Set an alarm for three or more times a day, and when it goes off, pause from your work and spend time sitting with Jesus.

Next Episode

Looking Above Episode 45 - Be Still & Know

This season we're talking about rest. In this episode, Brooklyn and Sara talk about Psalm 46:10 and what it can teach about having a good foundation of who God is. They discuss the importance of having a relationship with God and knowing who He is in the midst of storms:

Read Psalm 46 together.
Do you have a hard time being still?
What could/does being still look like for you?
Who is God? Make a list of His attributes.
Do you have heart knowledge or head knowledge of who He is?
Do you live more so out of trust or out of obedience?
What does being still or in solitude make you feel?
Give an example of a storm you’ve gone through that having a foundation of who God is helped you.
Where do you seek comfort or encouragement from first?
What is a way you can practice “being still” this week to better know who God is? Make a goal to practice it this week.