Reflections
September 8 | Discipleship Guide
Be Real Together:
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together: Matthew 11:28-29 CSB
A sabbatical is a period of extended rest and spiritual renewal for pastors. It’s a concept rooted in biblical principles of Sabbath and modeled by Jesus, to refuel and revive a pastor’s spirit and ensure they can sustain long-term ministry. Pastor Sean shared five reflections based on his experiences during his recent sabbatical:
1. (Good) rest is hard to come by, but absolutely within reach. Throughout the scriptures God invites us to enter into a space of rest. On the 7th day of creation, God rested. In the 10 Commandments, God instructed Israel to keep a sabbath day, one day a week, where they ceased their work and rested in him.
Read: Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:9-11, 1 Corinthians 10:31
2. Discomfort in your faith is normal. You’re gonna be OK. Resistance creates strength. Hard seasons create resilient warriors.God is on your side. If you’re trusting him, obeying him, AND going through a trial, you are not alone! In the end, we win, because in the end, Jesus wins!
Read: James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4
3. What you’ve learned is meant to be poured out for others. Let’s be a church that takes seriously the great commission - the call to make disciples who make disciples.
Read: 1 Peter 4:10
4. The world is getting crazier, but Jesus Christ is on the throne. For Christians, when the culture around us is getting tossed to and fro upon the waves of politics and progress, our constant and steadfast hope is that CHRIST is on the throne!
Read: Ecclesiastes 1:9, John 16:33, Colossians 1:17
5. Jesus’ church is bigger than Reach (but Reach is a beautiful place to call home).There are people all around the country, linking arms to grow in faith and make a difference in their cities. We need to capture that kind of fire in our church! We have a mission inside and outside these walls.
Read: Hebrews 10:24-25
1. (Good) rest is hard to come by, but absolutely within reach. Throughout the scriptures God invites us to enter into a space of rest. On the 7th day of creation, God rested. In the 10 Commandments, God instructed Israel to keep a sabbath day, one day a week, where they ceased their work and rested in him.
Read: Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:9-11, 1 Corinthians 10:31
2. Discomfort in your faith is normal. You’re gonna be OK. Resistance creates strength. Hard seasons create resilient warriors.God is on your side. If you’re trusting him, obeying him, AND going through a trial, you are not alone! In the end, we win, because in the end, Jesus wins!
Read: James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4
3. What you’ve learned is meant to be poured out for others. Let’s be a church that takes seriously the great commission - the call to make disciples who make disciples.
Read: 1 Peter 4:10
4. The world is getting crazier, but Jesus Christ is on the throne. For Christians, when the culture around us is getting tossed to and fro upon the waves of politics and progress, our constant and steadfast hope is that CHRIST is on the throne!
Read: Ecclesiastes 1:9, John 16:33, Colossians 1:17
5. Jesus’ church is bigger than Reach (but Reach is a beautiful place to call home).There are people all around the country, linking arms to grow in faith and make a difference in their cities. We need to capture that kind of fire in our church! We have a mission inside and outside these walls.
Read: Hebrews 10:24-25
The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or Discipleship Group.
In what ways have you experienced Jesus' promise of rest in your own life? (Matthew 11:28-30)
Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DG or for personal study.
- What are some practical ways to ensure we are resting in God rather than striving in our own strength?
- How can we ensure our work and rest are both done for God's glory?
- How can discomfort produce perseverance, character, and hope as described in Romans 5:3-4?
- Who has discipled you and who could you disciple?
- Why do you think the author of Hebrews emphasizes not giving up meeting together?
Pray Together:
Take time to pray with and for each other.