Verses Used:

Takeaways:

Rhythms over hustle. We embrace a Spirit-led pace of life, rooted in rest, presence, and intentionality; not burnout or busyness.
Hustle culture looks like being hurried, emotionally unavailable, constantly exhausted, or always producing and striving.

The Shepherd Leads Us

God’s people are often described as sheep, possibly because they are deeply dependent creatures. Goats on the other hand are much more independent. They wander, climb, and do their own thing.
The sheep are God’s people because the follow the shepherd; goats do not.
A hustle culture trains us to live more like goats than sheep: independent, self-sufficient, always pushing, always striving, and always proving ourselves.
The Good Shepherd leads his people, provides for needs, protects from evil, sets a healthy pace, and invites us to rest.
Many of us struggle to rest because we struggle to trust the shepherd. His way is best and he is leading us to another way of life.

The Shepherd Restores Our Souls

Jesus knows how to care for a depleted soul that looks like emotional fatigue, constant stimulations, anxiety, endless scrolling, overwork, or burnout.
The rest or restoring of our souls is found in Jesus. Jesus taught in John 15 the idea of abiding in him. The true need for our souls is met by being with Jesus.
We are invited into a different way of living, a different rhythm with Jesus. Jesus says, “Let me teach you, and you will find rest for your souls with me.”
The Shepherd leads His sheep down certain paths because He knows where life is found.

Healthy Rhythms

Everybody already has rhythms of life. The question is, “Are your rhythms forming you toward Jesus or away from him?
Healthy Spiritual Rhythms include prayer, scripture, worship, and solitude
Healthy Physical Rhythms include sleep and exercise.
Healthy Missional Rhythms include bless, eat, celebrate, story-formed, and ReCreate

Discussion Questions:

How can you tell when your soul is becoming depleted or restless? What are the warning signs?
What are some places people commonly go to find rest or restoration apart from Jesus? Do those things actually satisfy?
What is one rhythm in your life that is helping you stay close to Jesus right now?
How might a life of constant hustle make it difficult to notice and respond to opportunities God gives us to love and serve others?