Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection:

Read Matthew 11: 28-30.

1. What does it mean for you to slow down? Is it hard for you to slow down? If so, why?

2. The main idea in this week’s study guide says, “Physically slowing down trains our souls to resist hurry and increases our capacity to be present with God and others.” Do you agree with this? What does this say to you about the interconnectedness of body and soul?

3. How do you feel when you read Jesus saying, “Come to me” in verse 28? Why do you think you feel the way you do?

4. In what ways are you weary and burdened and in need of rest? How can you find that rest? How can you help others find that rest?

5. Does the current denominational strife make you weary and feel burdened? If so, what can you do about those feelings

6. What does Jesus mean when he says, “take my yoke upon you”? How can you take on Jesus’ yoke? What is his yoke?

7. When Jesus says, “learn from me” in verse 29, what do you think he wants us to learn? Are we doing a good job of learning from Jesus?

8. What does it mean for Jesus to be “gentle and humble in heart”? What would it look like for each of us to be more gentle and humble in heart?

9. How is Jesus’ yoke easy and his burden light? What does that mean for us? For others?

10. Why do you think Pastor Mick concluded this series talking about little children and Matthew 18: 3? What can we learn from little children?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, help us find time to get away from the busyness of life and be alone with you. Help us find ways to simply slow down, be still, and know that you are God. Grant us the ability to find those sacred rhythms of life that enable us to match our pace of life with that of Jesus. Help us to take on his yoke of love and not the yoke of the world. And remind us that we don’t do any of this through our own power, but through the power of your Holy Spirit dwelling within us. We love you, Lord. And we pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.