REMINDER: City Light Communities are taking a break the next two weeks for the school holidays.

READ:

MATTHEW 6:16-18

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

DISCUSSION:

1. What has been your experience of fasting in the Christian Life?

2. Why do you think that Fasting isn’t something that Christians in Sydney tend to do particularly often?

3. How might the practice of fasting help us become more satisfied in God?

4. What would be some unhelpful ways to fast? How could fasting, if misused, actually diminish our experience of God? 

Read:
“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?” -John Piper

5. Do you believe that God can actually provide deeper satisfaction than anything else?

Read together, or have someone read this suggestion of how to begin a practice of fasting by Bridgetown Church:

Firstly: Note that this exercise is optional. Some people may have health or personal reasons why fasting would not be possible or helpful at this time.

Set aside a day to fast. Maybe choose a day that those who want to can do it together.

• Pick a time to end the fast. One option is the “regular” fast, which goes from sunup to sundown, about twelve hours – so you would skip breakfast and lunch and then eat a late dinner. You can make your fast longer by skipping more meals (perhaps fasting for a full twenty-four hours), or shorter by breaking your fast at noon or 3pm. Again, it’s your call.

• As you fast on the day you decide, each time you feel a hunger pain or think about food or take a lunch break (with no lunch!), use it as a prompt for prayer. Turn your heart to God and ask him to starve your flesh and feed your Spirit. Use your imagination to “see” yourself drawing strength from God himself.

• If you want a “value added” experience, here are three other things you can do:

  1. Break a Habit – Identify a specify sin or habit or pattern that you want to break. Spend the day in prayer for freedom in that area.

  2. Journal – Take a little time for self-reflection. Get your journal out or go for a walk and think about what this Practice is revealing about you. Richard Foster said, “Fasting reveals the things that control us.” If you just feel “hangry” all day, or if you can’t make it more than a few hours, ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” Treat yourself compassionately, as God does, yet honestly as well. Remember: the point isn’t a guilt trip but freedom.

  3. Read Scripture – “Feed” on the word of God, like Jesus did in the wilderness.

  Come together as a Community next week to talk about your experience and pray together.

6. How would people feel about trying this together this week?

PRAY

Before praying, share together or in smaller groups:

7. Is anyone feeling distant from God at the moment or are struggling to be satisfied in him?

Pray for one another:
That this week God would draw near to us as we seek to satisfy ourselves in him, and that we would remember his patient love for us.

To think more about fasting check out: https://practicingtheway.org/fasting