From FEAST to FAST– Part 3
“We feed our Spirit and starve our Flesh by practicing habits laid down by Jesus. As we do this over time, we not only develop our own willpower muscles, but more importantly, we open our minds and bodies to a power that is outside of us—that of God’s Spirit.”
– John Mark Comer
Connect group:
● Choose ONE NIGHT a week to hold your connect group.
● Ask each member of your connect group to bring their Bible.
● If you want, you can also take communion together.
WELCOME Ice breaker:
Choose one of the following topics and talk about it:
a) Tell me about a time when you FASTED. Did it bring you relief?
b) What happens to your Body, Soul, and Spirit when you FAST?
Prayer: Open with prayer.
WORD Read: Our Core Text for Today:
Joel 2:12 “But even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.
Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Psalm 69:10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.
Talk in your Connect Group about the following: Spiritual
Principles of FASTING:
• The “Secret Source” of Power: Certain spiritual breakthroughs can only happen when we FAST, breakthroughs such as: Healing, financial relief and overcoming addiction – These can only happen through the combination of prayer and fasting.
• The “NO Muscle”: Fasting is described as the exercise of a “NO muscle”. By saying no to the strongest physical appetites, a believer gains the spiritual willpower to say no to temptation and the flesh.
• Divine Partnership: Fasting is a way to “vote” in the spiritual realm and work with God to release blessings into your life and family.
• Focus on Abstinence: Fasting without prayer is simply “starving”. The goal is to replace physical food with “Living Bread” – the Word of God and worship.
Reread today’s texts and talk about them:
• How does God want us to FAST?
• Why does FASTING strengthen our Soul and Spirit?
WORSHIP Make time to worship God today. Use the playlist on our Word and Life website under Connect Groups. Or bring your own worship songs.
WORKS Now enjoy Communion together as a Connect Group:
Love for God, Love for People Now, as a Connection Group, spend just 5 minutes in silence, and each member should answer the questions below for themselves. Create a peaceful atmosphere and allow the Lord to speak to each one individually.