Work and Rest
Engage: with the Sunday conversation...
For reflection:
- What replenishes your spirit and brings you joy?
- If you had a full day to “rest”-- What would you do? Who would you see? What boundaries would you draw? - Spend some time dreaming about about what a perfect sabbath might look like for you.
Connect: with your small group this week…
Join your group’s channel on discord and use that to find a space to connect this week!
Use the following as a guide for your time, if you’d like! Have each person take turns sharing. Please be mindful of how much space you are taking up--if you tend to take up more space, make space for others; if you tend not to share, consider taking up space.
Entering In / Group Examen
How are you entering into this space? What emotions are you experiencing in your body/heart/mind?
What word/phrase would you use to describe your (work) week?
When did you experience God’s presence in your week?
When did you experience the absence of God’s presence in your week?
Discussion
What did you find challenging or convicting about Sunday’s space? What was your biggest takeaway from the conversation?
Can you think of 1-2 actions you hope to take this week?
Read Genesis 1:31-2:3. What do you notice about the way God works and rests? What do you think this teaches you about God?
Group activity: 5-10 min to create, 10 min to share
How could you more intentionally incorporate more rhythms of rest & sabbath into your life this summer? Create a realistic summer sabbath plan/rhythm, and share this with your small group and the group discord channel.
Is there anything you plan to put in practice this summer around sabbath & rest?
When was the last time you felt very rested? What were you doing?
What replenishes your spirit and brings you joy?
What are things that are draining or exhausting for you?
If you had a full day to “rest”-- What would you do? Who would you see? What boundaries would you draw? - Share about what a perfect sabbath might look like for you.
Closing
How can this group pray for you this week?
Apply: on your own this week ...
- Activity #1: Try the contemplative prayer this week that we did as a group on Sunday. Explore creative ways to incorporate centering/contemplative prayer into your work day--maybe during lunch, or a quick walk during the afternoon.
- Activity #2: Try out a rest/sabbath activity this week. Then journal about your experience. How did it make you feel? How were you connected to yourself, others, and God?
- Continue to learn through some additional resources ...
- Sabbath (Abraham Heschel)
- Centering Prayer Resource
- Mindfulness at work - Mindfulness has become popular in mainstream culture. It is similar to centering prayer. Consider these tips as you integrate centering prayer into your work day.