Without a question, in light of everything that has happened in our lives over the past 5 months or so, each one of us has experienced stress. When it feels like the ground beneath our feet is shaking, and everything feels out of our control, the temptation to give in to stress is high. While most, if not all, of us have felt stress over the past months, Scripture teaches that there is a better way. In our study today, we are going to bring our stress and concerns to God and learn how to lean on Him rather than our stress during difficult times.
If you could go one place on vacation to destress, where would you go? Why?
1. What things do people tend to get stressed about?
2. In what ways do people respond to stress? How do you specifically respond to stress? What does your response reveal?
3. Read Luke 10:38-42. What is the difference between Mary's interaction with Jesus versus Martha's interaction?
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
4. How does Mary's response help us to see how to respond in times we feel stressed or overwhelmed?
5. Read Genesis 2:1-4. Why do you think we need an example of rest?
Genesis 2:1-4 So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
Genesis 2:1-4
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth.
When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
6. What activities are most restful for you?
7. Are you currently stressed? If so, why? What can you do this week to rest?
Take a few moments to self-reflect. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being poorly and 10 being excellently, how are you managing your stress? What habit can you pick up in order to turn to God rather than your stress? Perhaps you need to make a commit to spend time with God daily through praying and reading your Bible. Maybe you need to turn to God each day before you turn on your phone. Perhaps you need to implement consistent walks every week where you can pray and enjoy nature. Whatever that looks like, tell your group. Then, pray for each other to have the courage to implement these actions.
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1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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