January DETOX series…because we are desperate for God “Learning to simplify and remove barriers, distractions, and preoccupations in order to create space to focus on God” Jan 5 – The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting Overview: While there are physical benefits to fasting (and those may be tempting after a long, celebratory season), the spiritual benefits of fasting have eternal consequences. As we simplify our daily rhythms, with less time spent preparing and eating food, we gain clarity of God’s will and focus on God’s presence. As we notice our physical responses to fasting, they can turn us in dependence on the one who “gives us our daily bread.” We invite you to join us in a 7-day fast where you center your mind on seeking the will of God for yourself, your group, and CCC as a whole. Group Objectives • To learn about the spiritual benefits of fasting and to practice fasting for a short time • To encourage our brothers and sisters who participate in the fast with us • To study and understand some Biblical examples of fasting • To LIVE like and LEARN from Jesus through the practice of fasting and prayer DNA statement(s) tie-in: • Empowered by the Holy Spirit – For most people, willpower is not enough to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to godly living. We need the power and presence of the Holy Spirit for a disciplined fast. • Encounter the Father Daily – Our prayer for you is that as you remove distractions and temptations from your life, you will encounter God in new and meaningful ways. God will draw you close if you make yourself available. Conversation Starters • Can you think of a time where you were so physically hungry that you felt sick? Describe the experience, including what it was like when you finally had your physical hunger need met through food. • What stood out to you from this week’s sermon on fasting? Does the possibility of fasting leave you feeling excited? Nervous? Confused? • What do you hope to learn from this experience of fasting? Opening Prayer • Pray that God will give each person clarity and wisdom regarding what God is calling them to fast from. • Pray for a spirit of openness and obedience toward the Holy Spirit. Bible Study • There are numerous examples in the Bible of people who fasted, including Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Paul, Jesus and many others. We’ll look at just a few specific stories today. • Facilitator – begin with Nehemiah and end with Jesus. o If time allows, include discussion on one or both of the other texts. o Alternately, you can also divide into two smaller groups, have them each review ONE of the two stories (Esther or Daniel) and give a recap to the full group. • Read Nehemiah 1 :1-11 o From the context of the passage, and from Nehemiah’s prayer itself, why do you think Nehemiah decided to fast? o What do you think Nehemiah may have learned about himself and about God during the fast? o What were some of the results of the fast? (scan Nehemiah 2 and read between the lines) • OPTIONAL - Read Esther 3:8-9 and 4:1-5 o Why are the people of Israel fasting in this story? • …and read Esther 4:12-16 o Why do Esther and her maids agree to fast? o What do you notice is different about the fast in Esther’s story versus Nehemiah’s? o (Nehemiah seems to be fasting alone – Esther invites others to join her) • OPTIONAL - Read Daniel 1:3-15 o Why does Daniel choose to fast? o How is Daniel’s story unique compared to Esther and Nehemiah? • What can we learn about fasting from these three stories? (type of fasting, purpose of, results of, etc) • Read Matt 4:1-11 – Jesus fasting before his temptation in wilderness o This story connects Jesus with two other prophets who fasted 40 days and nights – Moses (Ex 24, 34, Deut 9) and Elijah (1 Kings 19). Why do you think Matthew might have wanted his audience to catch this connection?1 o The focus of the text is on Jesus temptation; Jesus’ fasting was just a brief mention at the beginning. o Why did Jesus need to fast? § Is he confessing sin? Pleading for help? Expecting to be tempted? Getting ready for ministry? § He was aligning his heart with the heart of the Father Application • The gospel authors assume Jesus’ disciples will fast (“when you fast…” Matt 6:16-18, Luke 5:35) o What do we need to do in preparation for a fast? • The church is calling us together for a fast between Monday, Jan 6-Sunday, Jan 12. o Our focus should not just be on “avoiding food.” The focus of the fast is… § To align our hearts with God § To rid ourselves of sin § To break habits that keep us from God § To love God more deeply than ever o Take time to ask God to reveal before this fast… § Where I long to have greater alignment with God is _____________ § The sin that I need to turn from is _____________ § The habit that I want to break that keeps me from God is _____________ § The way I can love God more deeply is ____________________ • Types of Fasts 1 Keener suggests “Jesus may appear here as a new Moses, the new law-giver.” Additionally, the 40 days may be a reflection of the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Craig Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014), 53. o Water-Only Fast o One Healthy Meal per Day o Fast from electronics o Juice Fast o Fast from addictive foods o Fast from TV or 24 hour o Vegetable Fast o Fast from Social Media news • Community support o Other texts for daily reading: Isaiah 58, Joel 2:12-13, Daniel 9:3-5, Matthew 6:16-18, Mark 12:28-34 o Prayer Meetings – January 6-10 (M-F) at 12:15p in the Chapel. o Elder Prayer – Wed. Jan 8 at 6:45p in the Student Center o Articles on fasting can be found at cccomaha.org/fast Closing Prayer • Encourage members to collaborate with one or two other people to share what they are fasting from, and then pray for one another. • Pray that we align our hearts with God, that we rid ourselves of sin, that we break habits that keep us from God, and that we love God more deeply than ever in the week ahead. Recommended Resources: • Celebration of Discipline, and Freedom of Simplicity (Foster) • The Me I Want to Be and The Life I Always Wanted (Ortberg) • Awakenings: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom (Weems) • A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Peterson) • The Daniel Plan (Warren et al) • https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/fasting/personal-guide-to-fasting.html .