Jesus Satisfies
October 6 | 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 DG, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DG share their story.
Read Together: Psalm 23 CSB
Pastor Sean reminded us of the universal longing for fulfillment and happiness and our cultural pursuits often fall short of true satisfaction. However, only Jesus can truly satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul, offering fulfillment that transcends temporary earthly pursuits. As the "living water" and the "good shepherd," Jesus provides eternal peace, restoration, and contentment that no worldly achievement or possession can match.
The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or Discipleship Group.
Think about the things give you satisfaction throughout your week.
Is your relationship with Jesus something that gives you satisfaction?
If not, what do you need to change about your life with Christ so that you are receiving his satisfaction?
Is your relationship with Jesus something that gives you satisfaction?
If not, what do you need to change about your life with Christ so that you are receiving his satisfaction?
Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DG or for personal study.
- What does it mean to say that Jesus can “satisfy the deepest longings” of your heart?
- What does Tom Brady’s quote, “There’s got to be more than this,” reveal about human desire for something deeper?
- How does our culture tell us to find happiness?
- How does the story of Jesus offering the woman at the well “living water” change your understanding of satisfaction?
- Keeping Psalm 23 in mind, what specific ways does Jesus satisfy you?
Practice Together:
Pick one of these Spiritual Disciplines to practice.
Discuss as a group which disciple you will practice, be ready so that you can keep each other accountable.
LECTIO - (if unfamiliar see below) Set aside an hour this week to slowly read and pray though Psalm 23.
SILENCE - Pick a block of time this week to sit in silence. It could be an hour, it could be 30 minutes or 10 minutes, consider your stage of life and what is practically but also challenging. Be sure to remove your phone or any devices from your space so that you have true silence. Through your time of silence thoughts, desires and worries will predictably come to mind. As they do focus yourself on the sufficiency of Christ by silently praying the Lords prayer or praying the words of David in Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd, I have what I need".
GRATITUDE & GENEROSITY - Spend some time in reflection, consider a way that Jesus has given you satisfaction. Whatever is brought to mind give thanks through prayer. Then, prayerfully consider someone in your life who is lacking something. As you identify that person decide how you can be generous with what God has given you and extend His blessings by giving to the person in need.
SILENCE - Pick a block of time this week to sit in silence. It could be an hour, it could be 30 minutes or 10 minutes, consider your stage of life and what is practically but also challenging. Be sure to remove your phone or any devices from your space so that you have true silence. Through your time of silence thoughts, desires and worries will predictably come to mind. As they do focus yourself on the sufficiency of Christ by silently praying the Lords prayer or praying the words of David in Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd, I have what I need".
GRATITUDE & GENEROSITY - Spend some time in reflection, consider a way that Jesus has given you satisfaction. Whatever is brought to mind give thanks through prayer. Then, prayerfully consider someone in your life who is lacking something. As you identify that person decide how you can be generous with what God has given you and extend His blessings by giving to the person in need.
When your group gathers again, discuss your experience of these Spiritual Disciplines.
If they were hard, celebrate drawing near to Jesus through resistance. If they were easy, celebrate the grace of God.
Take time to remind each other, that despite our experience of the disciplines, God is Faithful. God is Present.
If they were hard, celebrate drawing near to Jesus through resistance. If they were easy, celebrate the grace of God.
Take time to remind each other, that despite our experience of the disciplines, God is Faithful. God is Present.
The Steps Of Lectio:
Read: Slowly read the text. Resist the urge to rush through. As you move through the text, pay close attention to what words and ideas draw your attention. When your focus is drawn to a particular word or thought, pause momentarily to reflect on it.
Reflect: Upon completing the passage, return to the beginning and read again. On your second time through the text, allow it to connect with you personally. Which words or phrases assume a particular significance in your heart, your season of life, or your relationships? Write these down.
Respond: In prayer talk to God about your experience. If you’re confused, say that. Moved? Express gratitude to God. Upset? Tell him about it. If the text has brought something else to mind, talk to God about that.
Rest: Finish your time by sitting quietly in God’s presence. You might express wonder, awe, gratitude, or praise through words, or you might allow yourself to feel and experience these things in silence before God.
Read: Slowly read the text. Resist the urge to rush through. As you move through the text, pay close attention to what words and ideas draw your attention. When your focus is drawn to a particular word or thought, pause momentarily to reflect on it.
Reflect: Upon completing the passage, return to the beginning and read again. On your second time through the text, allow it to connect with you personally. Which words or phrases assume a particular significance in your heart, your season of life, or your relationships? Write these down.
Respond: In prayer talk to God about your experience. If you’re confused, say that. Moved? Express gratitude to God. Upset? Tell him about it. If the text has brought something else to mind, talk to God about that.
Rest: Finish your time by sitting quietly in God’s presence. You might express wonder, awe, gratitude, or praise through words, or you might allow yourself to feel and experience these things in silence before God.
Pray Together:
Take time to pray with and for each other.