Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

1. BANDAIDS DON'T HEAL THE WOUNDS OF BUSYNESS.
[Your Objective: See how busyness wounds us.]

What understanding did the author of Psalm 119:73 need from God?

• In what ways does busyness harm our lives?
• How does busyness come between us and God?
• How can having the wisdom to follow God's commands help us overcome busyness and its pitfals?

It's about time...

2. 24 - THERE ARE ENOUGH HOURS IN MY DAY.
[Your Objective: Realize God gave us sufficient time to live our lives.]

According to Genesis 1:14, why did God create the lights in the sky?

• By creating the sun and moon, God created the number of hours for each day. Why do we so often think we need more time in our days?
• Why do you think God chose to only give us 24 hours in a day?

In Matthew 6:27, what will worry never accomplish?

• Since nothing can create more time in a day, what value should we place on what we do with our time?
• Too often we fill our lives too full, what are some reasons we do that?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Spiritual maturity comes when we live within the boundaries God gave us in His Word. The boundaries for our time is 24 hours in a day and He intended for us to be able to accomplish what needs to be done in that time period. Busyness leads to broken thinking which points to our insecurities. We actually choose busyness because we want to be loved, valued and accepted. Take time this week to let God show you the root cause of why you are so busy. Examine the priorities that contribute to your excessive busyness. Let God show you how to adjust so you have time for God's design in the rest of this message. Write out a plan, take the first step this week and share where you are headed with your group at the next meeting.

3. 7 - A WEEKLY REST.
[Your Objective: Understand that God still expects us to take a day of rest.]

In Exodus 16:29-30, what was the seventh day given to us for?

• Besides literally resting, what other things would a day of rest enable us to do for Him?

What does Exodus 20:8-11 say the Lord did in regard to the Sabbath and what are we to do?

• The seventh day should be different from the other days. By setting that day apart, what benefits might we experience?
• If we truly dedicated a day to the Lord, how would this affect our relationship with Him and others?

Worship (Magnification) - A "Sabbath" is to be one day a week for resting and focusing on God. To fail to observe this day is disobedience. As we obey God, we will be able to rest our body, refresh our relationships, and renew our love for God. This is worship. What are you willing to give to God? Begin by talking to Him more frequently this week and let establishing a Sabbath day be the topic of discussion. Share the result with your spiritual partner or the group at the next meeting.

4. 1 - A DAILY PAUSE.
[Your Objective: Learn the value of pausing at some time every day to focus on you and God.]

What was Jesus doing when Simon and the others found Him, in Mark 1:35-37?

• What example is He setting for us in this verse?
• Why do people feel they must be available to anyone at all times?
• In what way does spending a quiet time alone with God help cure us of busyness?

What result does rushing produce, according to Psalm 39:6?

• Why do we seem to get further behind when we try to rush completing a task?
• How can stopping to ask God what to do help us with each situation we face during the day?
• Instead of trying to make time for God, what must we do instead? Why?

Discipleship (Maturity) - True disciples need a daily connection with the Master. We all need to intentionally pause for some time each day to pay attention to what's going on in our minds and in our souls. We need to ask God how best to steward the time He has given us that day. Are you willing to say no to non-stop accessibility and yes to intimate time with God? Can you give up the bandaids and the time management games to go for the surgery required to really change the way you live your life? Plan that time you will set aside every day this week to ask God how He wants you to conduct your life. Make a note right now about when you will do this, and plan to share your progress at your next group meeting. God can only change lives that are given to Him.

A Surgical to-do list...

5. I MUST BE WILLING TO DEAL WITH MY INSECURITIES.
[Your Objective: Accept that God's love for us is not based on our performance.]

In 1 John 3:1, what does God allow us to be called and why?

• What in this verse connects God's love with our performance? Define from this "unconditional love."
• Why do you think people use busyness to cope with insecurities?
• How does knowing that God's love has no conditions and does not depend on a person's performance allow followers of Christ to lead a life of purpose and meaning rather than one of constant activity?

6. I MUST BE WILLING TO DISCOVER MY SECURITY.
[Your Objective: Learn the refuge to be found in living a life focused on God.]

Read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:39-42. What was Jesus' answer to Martha's question?

• What is it about busyness that can cause us to miss life's truly valuable experiences?
• Think of Mary in this passage from Luke's gospel. How can we be "at the feet of Jesus" today?

Worship (Magnification) - God's peace is discovered when we take time out to sit at his feet, as Mary did. Is busyness masking your insecurities? You don't need to be busy for God to love you. He loves by different rules than those around us employ. He loves you for who you are and for who you are becoming through His Son, not for what you accomplish. Security is found in a life focused on God's love, not caught up in what others think of you, nor in what you achieve or own. God's love never fades away. If you have not been taking time to sit daily at the feet of Jesus, what step will you take this week that change that? How do you plan to listen to how He wants you to live your life? Studying your Bible is a great place to start. Instead of plowing through a reading plan, sit and soak in His Word. Explore your favorite passages and listen to what God reveals when you give Him your full attention. Share how this affected you at your next group meeting.

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Determine to reduce busyness in your life and discuss the impact of that decision in the next meeting.]

God's equation for a blessed life is 24 + 7 + 1. Twenty-four means we accept that there are enough hours in the day - if we use them the way God wants us to use them. Seven means there are 7 days in the week, and, like God, we are to rest on one of them. One refers to a daily pause in the busyness to focus on God. As a group, commit to taking the following steps this week:

1. Each day pause for at least a half hour to focus on God.
2. Agree with your family not to work or do chores on the upcoming Sunday, if possible, or for one of the seven days in your next week.
3. Explores ways to cut back on activities by about ten percent.

At your next meeting, be prepared to discuss the impact of these steps. How are you handling God's surgery for the busyness in your life?