Simplify Your Life: Making Space For Greatness
Part 2: The Heart of the Matter
March 21-25, 2005

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 (NIV)

Too often we recognize the need to simplify our lives but the fact is, simplicity is not simple... In this study, we will take a step in our journey toward simplicity; the fact is this journey to simplicity is an inside job. We usually want to start by evaluating our calendars and doing some spring cleaning. But the starting point is our heart... that's why we so easily slip back into the grind of over extending ourselves after making genuine commitments to simplify. If you're getting buried by life's external demands while inside, you often feel hollow and empty... then this study is for you.

A SIMPLIFIED HEART...

MONDAY

1. STARTS WITH THE AWARENESS THAT I HAVE A SOUL.

[Your Objective: Become more aware that we have a soul created by God.]

What did man become after God breathed into his nostrils: according to Genesis 2:7?

  • How significant is the soul in our lives?
  • How does the reality of our soul get displaced and its importance clouded? Why do we lose sight of the reality of our soul? How can we keep the importance of our soul from getting clouded?
  • How can an awareness of our soul affect us?

What does the shepherd do to our souls in Psalm 23:2?

  • How can Jesus restore our soul? Why is this essential for our soul?
  • How can a complicated life hinder our soul?

Ministry - Taking care that our soul is connected with God is important as we serve the Lord in ministering to His people. A failure to do this causes us to serve out of our own strength and ability without relying on God. We need to be aware that it is in our soul where we connect with God. Our soul moves us to simplify our life. What steps can we take to implement this simplification in our daily routine? What steps will secure our connection with God?

TUESDAY

2. MEANS FINDING MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST.

[Your Objective: Realize our identity in Christ is key to a heart for God and His best for us.]

Who does Psalms 23:1 say is our shepherd?

  • Where do the beliefs that we must work hard, be responsible, and succeed in order to be loved by God come from?
  • Why does there tend to be a love-hate relationship with the busyness in our lives?

In 1John 3:1, what does our Father allow us to be called?

  • Why do people often act as though some type of achievement must be accomplished to be loved by God?
  • What happens when we think our activity becomes synonymous with our identity?

What does Galatians 4:7 say belongs to us?

  • If so much belongs to us through our Father, why do we tend to want more?
  • Would our Father in heaven love us less if we didn't succeed after trying our best?

Fellowship (Membership) - Being a member in the church body, a member in God's family, means having an identity in Christ. When we realize how much God loves us, we begin to prioritize people and activities in our lives that will nurture our identity in Christ. When we are satisfied in who we are in Christ, the grip of busyness on our lives is loosened. If you have not yet found a group of friends where you can grow in your identity in Christ, connect with a small group in your local church this week. If you are connected, find an accountability partner who will help you point out areas in your life that reflect where you do not fully believe Jesus is enough.

WEDNESDAY

3. MEANS FEEDING AND NOURISHING MY SOUL.

[Your Objective: Simplify our lives by feeding and nurturing our souls through worship.]

According to Exodus 20: 8-10a, how did God tell the people to remember or observe the Sabbath Day?

  • Why did God take a day of rest? Why did He command us to do likewise?
  • How does our soul get starved and disconnected from God amidst the busyness of life?
  • How can prioritizing rest, reflection, and quietness on the Sabbath day benefit and nurture our soul?

What does Psalm 46:10a and Psalm 37.7a tell us to do while waiting on God?

  • What are some obstacles that keep us from being still in God's presence?
  • In what ways can we remove obstacles that keep us from being quiet in God's presence?
  • What would be the result of carving out a space in your day to feed your soul with quiet time with the Lord consistently each day?

Worship (Magnification) - Taking time to quiet ourselves settles the sediments of our cluttered lives - all the worries, plans, activities, and worldly thoughts sink to the bottom, and we can see our lives more clearly. Since clutter tends to constantly invade our lives, we need to carve out time to be still in God daily to prevent our souls from becoming absolutely starved. Start by taking five minutes a day to be quiet in the Lord's presence and let Him restore your soul.

THURSDAY

4. RESULTS IN ENJOYING LIFE AT ITS BEST.

[Your Objective: See that life focused on God is life at its best.]

Read Psalm 23:1-6 again keeping the following questions in mind in light of the following questions:

  • What phrases in Psalm 23 give us insight to the direction we should move our lives?
  • How do these verses give us comfort when we need protection?
  • Where do you see clues for our security? What kind of security does the psalmist speak of?
  • Which verses and phrases speak to you about God’s care for us and our healing?
  • How does this psalm inspire us to express gratefulness?
  • What confidence do these verses express about our future?

Discipleship (Maturity) - A simplified life results in enjoying life at it's best. In just these 6 verses of the Bible, we learn about direction, protection, security, our care and feeding, gratitude, and a confident future. The next time you feel overwhelmed, over-committed, and over-complicated, make it a point to stop and re-read Psalm 23 and meditate on it to simplify your life and focus your heart.

Take a moment to review any assignments/challenges made during the personal application and commitment section of your previous meeting. Seeing God at work in the lives of those who commit to Him is essential for growth.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Goal: See that a simplified life is an inside job and requires a heart change.]

Now we have seen that achieving a simplified life is an inside job and starts with our heart and our relationship with God; so how do we begin? Make an informed decision about what you need to do; recognize what needs to change. Get some help; ask someone to come along side to help keep you accountable. Plan one next step to begin this week; consider where there is time in your day that can be given to the Lord. Seize the opportunities in your commute time, waiting for an appointment, showering time, don't schedule every minute of your day so interruptions throw your whole plan off balance. Start small; make opportunities to develop the habit of observing more of the Sabbath each week. Consider using the following Scriptures to focus your thoughts and heart on the Lord as you begin to practice being quiet spending some time with the Lord.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. [29] Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Be still and know that I am God...

Psalm 46:10a (NIV)