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A 50 Day Devotional Guide THE YEAR OF JUBILEE A 50 Day Devotional Guide 1 Kenya Turns 50 in 2013 The Year of Rest and a Fresh Start THE YEAR OF JUBILEE A Devotional Guide for 50 Days CELEBRATING GOD’S FAVOUR During Kenya’s Golden Jubilee VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE USE THIS DEVOTIONAL GUIDE ALONGSIDE THE “50 DAY PRAYER GUIDE” INCLUDED AFTER PAGE 20 WEEK ONE: A TIME OF PHYSICAL REST Memory verse: Jer. 6:16a This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Day One: 23rd October 13 Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:8-11 Reflection: Among the Ten Commandments, the Lord ordered the children of Israel to set apart one special day in a week when they give their bodies a rest. This was after the manner in which he too rested after six days of creation. In our busy modern life this certainly will reduce some of the physical and psychosomatic illness that we have as we give our bodies a break. 1. What are some hindrances that prevent us from taking such a Sabbath rest? 2. Is there a way you can adjust yourself to consistently be able to take a break regardless of the particular day? 2 Kenya Turns 50 in 2013 The Year of Rest and a Fresh Start THE YEAR OF JUBILEE Day Two: 24th October 13 Scripture Reading: Exodus: 23:12 Reflection: 1. This favor was to be extended to all those who were part of the household of the follower of Yahweh, including animals. In today’s world we perhaps would refer to the workers and even machines, including computers, I suppose. We also experience rest as we give them rest. 2. What benefits would follow such a move to us and to those that work under us? Day Three: 25th October 13 Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-33 Reflection: 1. What comes to your mind about the kind of ministry schedule that the apostles must have had at this time? 2. What would be the wisdom of going to a quiet place where they would be alone? 3. Ask God to help you set apart that kind of time frequently and regularly. Day Four: 26th October 13 Scripture Reading: Psalms 62:1-8 Reflection: 1. How would considering God as a rock in a rocking world give us peace and stability? 2. If you were to invite your soul to find rest, where would you direct it? 3. Pray over issues, objects and activities which might have taken that place that belongs to God alone in your life and which might be hindering you from receiving true rest. Day Five: 27th October 13 Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:16-20 Reflection: • How would a troubled heart or conscience deny us of the rest that God would want to give us? • What joy or benefits do you get by showing genuine love to others by meeting their felt needs? • Thank God for the opportunity that he has given you to express this genuine love to others. Day Six: 28th October 13 Scripture Reading: Psalms 16:5-11 Reflection: 1. What effect would dwelling in the presence of God have in your heart, to your tongue and your body? 2. Ask God to help you cultivate an attitude of practicing the presence of God that will be a basis for constant renewal and joy in your life. INSIGHT: “Weariness often leads to something called burnout. One simply loses the will to pursue dreams and sense of mission…More Christians than any of us know have made decisions that they will regret for the remainder of their lives under the influence of fatigue. And what do we learn from this? How to monitor 3 Kenya Turns 50 in 2013 The Year of Rest and a Fresh Start THE YEAR OF JUBILEE the times and circumstances in which such weariness and its ultimate product, burnout are likely to occur. And then we learn to avoid such extreme conditions or ask for others for help.” Rebuilding your Broken World, Gordon MacDonald (Oliver-Nelson: Nashville, 1988, p.121) GROUP BIBLE STUDY GUIDE: A TIME OF PHYSICAL REST Ours is a generation of busy people. There is so much to be done that 24 hours are hardly enough. Our busyness makes God’s idea of Sabbath both difficult and even more necessary at one and the same time. Gordon MacDonald makes the following observation: “I get the feeling we are a tired generation. Evidence of that fatigue abounds in a multitude of articles about health problems related to overwork and exhaustion. Workaholism is a modern word. No matter how hard we are willing to work in our competitive world, there always seems to be someone willing to put in a few more hours than we are… There is a biblical view of rest that needs to be uncovered and examined. In fact, the Bible reveals God Himself as the first ‘rester’. “On the seventh day, He rested…” An even more enlightening comment is made by Moses in Exodus 31:17: ‘In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day, He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.’… Does God indeed need rest? Of course not! But did God choose to rest? Yes. Why? Because God subjected creation to a rhythm of rest and work that He revealed by observing the rhythm Himself as a precedent for everyone else.”i 1. Does your own life experience agree with this assessment of general fatigue? Please share with your group members. Exodus 20:8-11 1. What instructions did God give the Israelites concerning the Sabbath? 2. Why do you think God was so particular about the need for the people to rest on the Sabbath day? a. In what ways do you think the people could keep the Sabbath day holy? 3. Share your experience in as far as observance of the weekly Sabbath rest is concerned. What have been the joys and struggles, and how have these impacted your life? a. Discuss ways in which you can observe the Sabbath day? Leviticus 25:1 – 55 1. What does this text say about the Sabbath and Jubilee? 2. What are the similarities and differences between the Sabbath day, sabbatical year and Jubilee? 3. List the benefits that the Jubilee year would bring to the people, their families and their land? a. Of the benefits listed above, which one do you think is most needed: i. By you as an individual? ii. In our country? 4 Kenya Turns 50 in 2013 The Year of Rest and a Fresh Start THE YEAR OF JUBILEE WEEK TWO: A TIME OF SPIRITUAL REST Memory Verse: Isa 40:31: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint. Day One: 30th October 13 Scripture Reading: Hebrew 10:19-25 Reflection: • How would approaching the presence of God give us rest spiritually? • How would sharing your burdens with others give you rest? • Is there something in your conscience that is a burden to you now that you would want to release to God? Pray it out to the Father. Day Two: 31st October 13 Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 Reflection: • Ask the Lord to give you some insights into who he is and who you are in Christ. • What would happen to us and our Christian lives if we daily plugged into the power that raised Jesus from the dead? • Ask the Lord to renew your strength as you draw from his power and his spiritual resources. Day Three: 1st November 13 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 Reflection: 1. What kind of thing might you be going through now that would make your hands be feeble, your knees shake and your heart fear? 2. How would knowing that the Lord will come through for you give you the courage to face another day? 3. Pray that the Lord may straighten out your way and make it traffic-jam free highway as you serve him. Day Four: 2nd November 13 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 30:15-18 Reflection: 1. Why do you think there is strength in quietness and trusting the Lord? 2. What are some things which are clattering your life which make it very difficult for you to be quiet? 3. Remember the Lord is waiting to be gracious and compassionate to you. Submit to him now. 5 Kenya Turns 50 in 2013 The Year of Rest and a Fresh Start THE YEAR OF JUBILEE Day Five: 3rd November 13 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:27-31 Reflection: 1. What attribute of God do we see that is so different from human beings? 2. How can we as human beings get close to constant renewal of strength by the Lord? 3. Pray through a practical step that you would want to put in place for personal renewal. Day Six: 4th November 13 Scripture Reading: Psalms 126:1-6 Reflection: 1. What situation previously in your life had brought tears and weeping in your life and had made you feel like a captive? 2. Allow your heart and mouth to be filled with laughter and thanksgiving to God fior having reversed the situation. 3. If the challenging circumstances are still there, commit them to God in prayer and ask him to bring about your liberty and freedom.
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