A VACATION FOR YOUR SOUL
August 28 - September 2, 2006

We all recognize the need to take vacations to rest and relieve the stress on our bodies, but we don't always see that our souls need rest as well. There are 6 reasons we can't find rest:

  1. We want what we cannot have
  2. We don't know how to stop
  3. We are not sure where we're headed
  4. We are afraid
  5. We don't have enough
  6. We are unsure about the future

The way to rest our souls is found in Psalm 23, which Americans consistently say is their most favorite verse in the Bible. While the image of the Lord as our shepherd is comforting, some people dislike the image of Christians as sheep. We'd rather be sheep dogs, not sheep, because of our egos. Sheep just don't have much appeal. What we miss is that the image of us as sheep underscores how dependent we are on our Heavenly shepherd. Just as sheep can't do much for themselves, we can't do much successfully without Christ. Psalm 23 tells us sheep how to rest. First, we must put our confidence in our shepherd. Second, when we don't know how to stop, we must go to green pastures. In this sense green pastures means good times or our place of abundance. Third, when we are not sure where we are headed, we must follow the path of righteousness, not the paths we choose. The paths we choose can wear us out physically and spiritually. Fourth, when we are afraid, we must remember that God is with us. No matter how deep or dark the valley is, He will get us through it. Fifth, when we don't have enough, we must learn to appreciate what God has given us. If we focus on what God has given us, instead of what we don't have, we will be happier. Sixth, when we are unsure about our future we need to focus on God's love following us all the days of our lives and that we will dwell with Him forever. Using Psalm 23, we can refresh our souls daily and for long after the rest of our body from vacations has vanished.

MONDAY

When you want what you cannot have...

1. PUT CONFIDENCE IN YOUR SHEPHERD.
[Your Objective: Accept God as the Shepherd in your life and learn about the role of the sheep.]

Read Psalm 23:1 aloud. If the Lord is your shepherd, what shall you not be?

  • What are some things that we make a priority over the Lord and still leave us in want?
  • Why do we put confidence in other things besides God?
  • How can we constantly remember that God is our shepherd and that we are protected as His sheep?

Evangelism (Mission) - A sheep that is independent and alone is in danger. They stray from the flock and the shepherd. Although we may be more intelligent than sheep, when we stray from the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, we are vulnerable to attack and making bad decisions. When we place confidence in our shepherd, then there is no want like the verse says. Have you placed your confidence in the shepherd? Maybe you need to recommit yourself to Him for some peaceful rest. Say, "Jesus, you are the shepherd, please come to my rescue, I put my faith in you."

TUESDAY

When you don't know how to stop...

2. GO TO GREEN PASTURES.
[Your Objective: Define, appreciate and accept the green pastures in your life.]

According to Psalm 23:2, where does God make us lie down? Where does He lead us?

  • What in your life (the blessings) would you define as the green pastures? Are you at peace with these?
  • With the pace of life, why are these green pastures difficult to appreciate? Why do we often have trouble enjoying them?
  • Do you slow down enough to enjoy the quiet waters that God leads you beside? If not, why?

Worship (Magnification) - This verse does not say God "asks" us to lie down, it says, He "makes" us lie down in green pastures. The problem is often we are too busy or in a rush to see it and experience these blessings. We have trouble accepting these joys of abundance. There are green pastures in every life. True, some may have more and others less, but God provides for all. What are yours and how can you commit to stop consistently for a rest to appreciate them?

WEDNESDAY

When you're not sure where you are headed...

3. FOLLOW THE PATH OF RIGHEOUSNESS.
[Your Objective: Learn, as a believer in Jesus Christ, how to find and stay on the path of righteousness always.]

In Psalm 23:3, who guides us in the path of righteousness and why?

  • What are some of the other influences that can guide us down a different path in life?
  • What has been the outcome of following other those paths?
  • Why is it more stressful and tiring when you head down the wrong path instead of the right one?

In 2 Timothy 3:16, what is the tool and who is the source that helps us do what is right?

  • How have you used the Bible for answers to challenging questions to give you direction?
  • How can we use the direction in the Bible about what is wrong to help us make the right decisions?

Discipleship (Maturity) - The Bible may not contain all the specific answers in life we are seeking, but it probably contains 90% of them. And if we rely on this as the guide for our path along with prayers and support, God usually provides the rest through our faith. The right path is not hidden. If we stray away from God, He is waiting for us to return and lead us. He never gives up. Many times, we need to give up a dependency or diversion that takes us off the right path. If that's the case, then it is important to consider joining an organization like Celebrate Recovery to break that dependency with the right actions and support. We all need the power of Jesus Christ. Is there a dependency that is diverting you from God's path? If so, consider joining a Celebrate Recovery group.

THURSDAY

When you are afraid...

4. REMEMBER GOD IS WITH YOU.
[Your Objective: Realize God is with you in hard times.]

Where does Psalm 23:4 say God will be when you are facing tough times?

The rod was used for Protecting - The staff was used for Correcting

  • How does God protect us from evil?
  • How does God correct us when we start down the wrong path?
  • How does God use other people to help protect and correct us?

Fellowship (Membership) - Note that the verse says, "even though", not, "even if" we will pass through valleys. On this earth we all will face tough times and times when evil tries to take hold of us. Unless we know God we will always be anxious, either about how we handled the valley we just came through or about the next valley we have to face. We need people around us to help us face those valleys and that God can use to remind us to look to God in times of trouble or to nudge us back on to the right path. Do you have people like this in your life? Are you willing to be the person that others turn to, knowing that you are there for them with Godly advice and assistance?

FRIDAY

When you don't have enough...

5. APPRECIATE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN.
[Your Objective: Give thanks to God for what He has provided and not complain about what you don't have.]

How does Psalm 23:5 describe the contents of the cup?

  • How can we remind ourselves to appreciate what God has given us?

What was provided abundantly in 1 Timothy 1:14?

  • Why do people focus more on what they don't have than appreciate what they do have?

Ministry - It is really a matter of focus. Do I focus on what I don't have or on what God has given me and how I can use it to help others see how much God has done for them? Have you noticed that when you are helping others you don't concentrate on what you don't have? Take time this week to thank God for what He has done for you and then select one person you can help by using the talents, abilities, and resources God has given you.

When you're unsure about your future...

6. FOCUS ON ALL AND FOREVER.
[Your Objective: Recognize God's presence and His eternal plan.]

How long does Psalm 23:6 say God's goodness and mercy will follow us? How long will we live in the house of the Lord?

  • How does knowing that God will be with us all the days of our lives help us face each day?
  • In what ways does knowing that we will live with God forever help us put daily challenges into perspective?

Worship (Magnification) - Our soul has to be at peace if we are to make a difference in this world. We can keep our soul at peace if we focus on all and forever. Take time this week to appreciate that God is with us always and that He has an eternal plan for us. How will you show this appreciation to God? Commit to start each day with the anticipation of God's presence and to end it with worshipping Him for what He has done for you that day and what he has planned for your future.

SATURDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Help the group develop ways to apply Psalm 23 to their daily lives.]

Our bodies and our souls both need rest each day, but often we only look for physical rest. As a result, we can be spiritually exhausted and unready for the spiritual challenges we face. Psalm 23 is a powerful way for us to remember to get the spiritual rest we need. Ask each member of the group to read Psalm 23 each day until the next meeting of the group and discuss at the next session how that affected them. At the end, ask the group to say Psalm 23 out loud, with emphasis, and pausing between the verses. For example "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" Discuss how the Psalm sounds that way. Distribute copies of Psalm 23 to the group that can be used for ready reference. Ask each member of the group to try and develop a personal prayer based on Psalm 23. Ask them to pray that prayer this week and share it with the group at the next session.