The place your restless soul meets God is the place where nothing ever feels small again.
We read this statement together before every group discussion. It helps transition the group to discussion time, it reaffirms our highest values, and sets a tone of trust, consistency, and safety for everyone in the group.
We are a group of imperfect people pursuing a perfect God. We exist to help each other find and follow Christ. These are some things we want to be true of our group:
- We create a safe and honest environment, staying transparent and authentic.
- We keep it inside the circle. Confidentiality is necessary for a healthy group.
- We look together to the Bible for help and guidance, and keep out our own politics, sales, or agendas.
- We do not try to fix each other, preach sermons, or give unsolicited advice. We instead encourage, listen to, and celebrate each other.
- We handle conflict between us quickly and honestly by going to the person, owning our part, and practicing forgiveness.
- We respect each others’ time by starting and ending when we say we will.
- We trust that it is God’s role to change people, not ours.
- We believe that in Jesus Christ, there is hope for everyone.
- Spend some time getting to know each other if you're in a new group! Connecting relationally is a great foundation for growing spiritually!
- What was the high and low of your break/springtime?
QUICK INTRO
We all find ourselves feeling restless at times. As we read this book, we’ll be learning together that feelings of restlessness may not be negative ones to avoid or numb out; rather, they could point us to God and His purposes for us. We’ll be studying the story of Joseph, the dreamer, in Genesis 37-50 to see how God used his suffering, gifts, story, and relationships for His glory and how He can do the same with ours. We’ll be using a tool the author, Jennie Allen, calls "threads" to help us mdiscover the themes in our own lives so we can weave them together for God's glory and purposes.
Bring your book and a journal to group every week as we’ll be journaling on our own and in group together.
Definition of the word "Restless"
- an inability to remain at rest; a restless mood.
- unquiet or uneasy, as a person, the mind, or the heart.
- never at rest; perpetually agitated or in motion: the restless sea.
- without rest; without restful sleep: a restless night.
- unceasingly active; averse to quiet or inaction.
Definition of the word Purpose
- the reason for which something or someone exists or was made
- an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
- determination; resoluteness.
- the subject in hand; the point at issue.
- practical result, effect, or advantage
Questions
- When do you tend to feel the most restless?
- Feelings of restlessness could point to unmet needs or unfulfilled purposes. Thinking back to the last time you felt restless, from what unmet need or unfulfilled purpose do you think could have stemmed?
- What do you do or reach for when you feel restless?
- In Restless, Jennie will be challenging us to listen to our own restlessness and face it head on, suggesting it can point us to God and His purposes for us. Do you agree that feelings of restlessness could be useful and worth listening to? How does it make you feel that you may be running away from feelings of restlessness instead of listening to them?
- A lot of us, if we’re honest, are afraid. We hold our dreams close to our chest. What are a few things that could be holding you back from dreaming about what God might want to do in or through your life?
CLOSING THOUGHT
Read Hebrews 12: 1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Our passions have a purpose- they were engineered for God’s greater plan and he intends for us to use them for his glory and purposes. What would happen if God got bigger than our fears and insecurities, and we spent the rest of our lives running without reservation after his purposes for us? We were created for more.
Restless Chapters 1-5
Genesis Chapters 37-38
Since Restless goes through the story of Joseph, we can all track along together in the book of Genesis with Joseph's story in just a few chapters a week! The Bible reading is optional but encouraged!