Study Guide for

We – Whee!

June 14, 2009

Open Up

Talk about your reaction to roller-coasters and amusement parks: Are you someone who goes “whee” and waves your hands in the air? Are you someone who screams that you will never ride again? Do you wait at the refreshment stand while everyone else rides? TRANSITION: Amusement parks may not be everyone’s favorite recreation, but all of us need those “whee!” moments to re-create by enjoying our God-designed rhythms of rest, recreation, and relationships with God and with people.

Dig In

(1) Read Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:8-11 and Mark 2:23-3:5. Sabbath is one of the most misunderstood practices in Judeo-Christian teaching.  Reading these three Bible sections together helps us see that God designed rest and work to go together, and overemphasizing one over the other leads to imbalance.  Tell your group whether you are more likely to overemphasize work or rest. Are you able to balance them? OPTIONAL: Read Colossians 2:16-23.  How could these verses help someone who might be mixing up man-made traditions of Sabbath-keeping with the true importance of rest?

(2) Read Nehemiah 8:8-12.  How does verse 10 show that enjoyable recreation is part of God’s design for us?  What recreations do the people in your group enjoy? What are ways each of those could become even more God-blessed or “sacred”? For example, how could outdoor recreations lead to praise to God for beauty? BACKGROUND: The Jewish nation had not been following God for many generations, so the people were sorrowful about the national morals.  God wants us to balance heart-felt sorrow with repentance, including the joy that comes from the forgiveness of Jesus.

(3) Read Mark 12:28-34. This is only one story out of many in which Jesus emphasized loving relationships above religious rituals.  What are ways that we combine loving God and loving people?

Work On

Because there are so many activities at MCC, we can enjoy opportunities to recreate and enrich our relationships with God and people – or – we can overwork ourselves trying to participate in too many church activities.  Lovingly discuss how to find the balance between doing too much and not enough.  OPTIONAL: If your group is looking for some re-create time with others at MCC, encourage them to check out Mountain Adventure Week.

Lift Up

Give thanks to our wise Creator, and ask for help in following the rhythms He designed for us.

Another Step – Advanced Study

Read Leviticus 25:2-8.  What are other examples of how God designed creation to follow rhythms?  What are examples of penalties of ignoring rhythms?