Fasting

Ridgeland Church

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Fasting

April 28, 2024 • Pastor Jared Richey • Luke 2:36–38, Esther 4:15–17, Matthew 6:16–18, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Isaiah 58

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This week Pastor Jared discussed the practice of Fasting, its history, and how it's played into the life of the church in the past (and can impact us in the present). Below are some questions to reflect on or discuss with others throughout your week:

Had you heard of fasting before this message? If so, did your understanding of it change at all from before after hearing this message?

Why do you think early Jews kept the practice of fasting if it was never an explicit command?

Scot McKnight writes about how we tend to view our bodies as Monster, Celebrity, or Cornucopia. Did you relate to any of the explanations of these? Why or why not?

Do you feel like your physical habits reflect your long term desires? Why or why not?

Generosity and Witness

June 2, 2024 • Pastor Jared Richey

Thank you for listening to Ridgeland Church! This week, Pastor Jared wrapped up our Patterned Life series by teaching us about Generosity and Witness, how they work together, and how they should play into our lives. - If someone saw every part of your life right now from an outside perspective, including how you spend your money, time, energy, and resources, where would someone say your "treasure" is based on how you live your life? What is your life a living "witness" to? - "The essence of sin is the disordering of love" - are there any areas of your life where you feel like your "loves" might be out of order? - Our generosity toward others should naturally flow out of a grateful heart for the abundant generosity God has shown toward us. Where can you see God's abundant generosity and grace at work in your own life? If you feel led, make out a list! - What is one way you can be generous to someone in your life this week?

Scripture

May 12, 2024

This Sunday, Pastor Jared taught about the importance of Scripture as a spiritual practice and pattern for our lives. Throughout this week and as you continue wherever you are on your journey of Scripture, here are some thoughts to reflect on! Why do you think we get so invested in stories? Research shows that reading stories is a form of media that leads often to greater empathy and other-centeredness, but why do you think that happens? Have you ever seen or experienced the Bible or a passage of Scripture being isolated or used for harm rather than for good? Why do you think the Bible is written in narrative form so often, rather than simply as a "reference book" of wisdom we can flip to at any given moment?

Service

May 26, 2024 • Pastor Jared Richey

This week Pastor Jared teaches us about the practice of Service, and what it means to truly serve. Here are some thoughts and questions to think about as you go about your week! - Did you ever grow up serving or sacrificing for something in some way? How? - Pastor Jared says that compassion is "entering into someone else's story." Have you ever felt like someone else entered into your story in this way? Have you entered into another's story? - "Consistency communicates care." Have you ever been amazed at or felt cared for because of someone else's consistency? What small thing can you practice consistently to serve someone around you?