A Woman that Rests in the Lord - month two
Opening Prayer - Lord, teach us how to rest in You
Pass around scripture cards - everyone takes one out of basket
Last month we talked about the Proverbs 31 woman, and she was busy and industrious, a contented and
highly effective/motivated woman. We were encouraged by her ability to be creative in her home. This month we are going to
study what would seem to be the opposite of the Prov. 31 woman but in reality, is the likely source of the energy behind the
woman - the woman who can REST in the Lord.
DEFINITION OF RESTING
Print out Webster’s definition and have someone read it
What is the opposite of RESTING? (Stressful activity)
What is a synonym for REST? (Peace)
Can you think of a verse that establishes resting as necessary or required?
PERMISSION TO REST HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US
Genesis 2:2, 3 "So on the seventh day, having finished his task, God ceased from the work He had been
doing...." READER
What did God specifically say about this day of rest? (God only "blessed" the day of REST, and made
it HOLY - no other day is "blessed" by God.)
What does this mean about how we are created? (We are DESIGNED to need rest and relaxation)
What will happen in our lives if we do not follow God’s design for rest? (Without rest we will
find our lives out of balance)
PLAN TO REST
When trying to accomplish any goal in life, what do we first create? (We need to PLAN rest, create
new habits if we don’t already have them)
Romans 8:6 "To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - READER
What does focusing your mind on the Spirit lead to? (Peace and life)
What does "rest" offset? (Stress)
Is stress always a part of life?
How can we give up habits, activities, relationships that create stress? (Exercise spiritual discipline)
STRESS FROM RELATIONSHIPS
Ezekiel 36:26 "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you..." - READER
What might our "new heart" and "new spirit" enable us to do when under attack? (Learn to let go easily
when we feel under attack, giving situations time before reacting, letting go of our need to control can be very helpful,
learn to let God’s love heal broken relationships, broken dreams, broken lives)
REST IS THE OPPOSITE OF WORRY
Psalm 23: 2-3 "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores
my soul..." READER
What happens to our daily schedule when we choose to let God restore us and take control? (Can create
more time to relax and enjoy when we choose to trust God instead of worrying)
What effect does worry have on our spirit? (Worrying drains the spirit)
What effect does relaxation have on our spirit? (relaxation refuels us)
THANKFUL HEARTS HELP US TO MANAGE STRESS
1 Cor. 15:57 ".....thanks be to God, who givethe us the victory...." READER
What helps us to keep our perspectives clear? (Thankful spirits, grateful spirits)
When we are thankful to others, what do we acknowledge about our relationship with them? (We acknowledge
that we need each other in a healthy dependent way)
What does being grateful open us up to? ( happiness and to God)
A thankful heart is very important when learning to manage stress
GOD’S THOUGHTS CAN BE OUR THOUGHTS
Psalm 119:105 "God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path." READER
What directs our actions? (Our thoughts)
What should direct our thoughts? (The Word of God)
Our thinking controls our ability to be at peace or to be restless
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Solomon in Proverbs 23:7 READER
What are the two main thought patterns that we have? (positive and negative thoughts)
How do we sometimes describe people in relation to these thought patterns? (a postive person or a negative
person)
If we want to change our life, what do we need to change? (our thoughts)
Paul: "...be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2 READER
What can being in the Word do to help us "renew our minds?" (We can get God’s perspective/viewpoint
and therefore control our stress)
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
Be anxious for nothing - Phillip 4:6,7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." READER
CLOSING
By reducing your stress and anxiety, you can free up much time. Brain storm ways that you can fill
your "anxiety space" and let go of old thought patterns, creating new ones. **Put your questions/answers worksheet into your
binder!!**
SCRIPTURE CARDS TO PRINT
Definition of RESTING:
Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength
Genesis 2:2,3
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing so on the seventh day he rested from
all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that
he had done."
Romans 8:6
"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."
Ezekiel 36:26
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh."
Psalm 23: 2-3
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides
me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."
1 Cor. 15:57
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Eat and drink, said he to you, but his heart is not with
you."
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Phillip 4:6,7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus."
RESTING IN THE LORD - worsheet
What is the likely source of the energy the Proverbs 31 woman has?
What is the opposite of RESTING?
What is a synonym for REST?
What did God specifically say about this day of rest?
What does this mean about how we are created?
What will happen in our lives if we do not follow God’s design for rest?
When trying to accomplish any goal in life, what do we first create?
What does focusing your mind on the Spirit lead to?
What does "rest" offset?
Is stress always a part of life?
How can we give up habits, activities, relationships that create stress?
What might our "new heart" and "new spirit" enable us to do when under attack?
What happens to our daily schedule when we choose to let God restore us and take control?
What effect does worry have on our spirit?
What effect does relaxation have on our spirit?
What helps us to keep our perspectives clear?
When we are thankful to others, what do we acknowledge about our relationship with them?
What does being grateful open us up to?
What directs our actions?
What should direct our thoughts?
What are the two main thought patterns that we have?
How do we sometimes describe people in relation to these thought patterns?
If we want to change our life, what do we need to change?
What can being in the Word do to help us "renew our minds"?
Your future scripture references:
Genesis 2:2,3
Romans 8:6
Ezekiel 36:26
Psalm 23: 2-3
1 Cor. 15:57
Psalm 119:105
Proverbs 23:7
Romans 12:2
Philippians 4:6,7