DISCUSSION GUIDE / 1.16.22
OPTIONAL INTRODUCTION QUESTION(S)
What is your favorite coffee drink?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
Do you ever feel heavy burdened? What does it look like to “come to Jesus” for you? How do you lay down your burdens?
Young oxen were often yoked too older wiser oxen while they learned how to pull the plow. How can we learn from Jesus and do the work of ministering to the world around us?
If we’re Christians and we’re stressed, burdened, and wearied all the time then maybe we’re not walking next to Jesus. What would it look like if we started every day in prayer asking Jesus to direct us? Would that ease our stress?
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:1-3
God wants us to have beauty for ashes, joy instead of morning, praise instead of despair. Can we pray together for the Lord’s favor over our lives and for the burdens that have been mentioned today to be laid down?