Opening Prayer (30 seconds)
Lord, as we begin this new year, open our hearts and minds to understand the rest You offer us through Christ. Help us to trust You more deeply and live in the fullness of Your promises. Amen.
Scripture Reading (1 minute)
- Primary Text: Joshua 5:12 – “They ate from the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”
- Supporting Texts:
- Numbers 13:27 – “It flows with milk and honey.”
- Hebrews 4:3 – “We who have believed do enter into rest.”
- Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Key Context (1.5 minutes)
The Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land marked the fulfillment of God’s promise after 40 years of wandering. This physical rest was a shadow of the greater spiritual rest found in Christ.
- God’s Faithful Provision: Like Israel shifted from manna to fruit, we move from self-reliance to Christ-reliance.
- Transition from Manna to Fruit: God’s provision shifted from supernatural (manna) to natural (fruit of the land), symbolizing new dependence on His promises.
- Spiritual Rest in Christ: Hebrews 4 teaches that believers enter into spiritual rest by trusting in Christ’s finished work, offering rest now and eternal rest in the future.
Discussion Questions (3 minutes)
Spend ~45 seconds per question, choose 2-3:
- Understanding Christ’s Rest
Jesus invites us to rest in Matthew 11:28-30. How does this promise shape your perspective on work, stress, or spiritual exhaustion? - Reflecting on Provision
Where do you see God transitioning you from “manna seasons” (supernatural provision) to “fruit seasons” (established provision)? - Overcoming Obstacles to Rest
The Jordan River represented a barrier for the Israelites. What spiritual or emotional “Jordans” might be preventing you from experiencing God’s rest today? - Experiencing Rest in Service
The devotional mentions “glory begun below.” How can we serve God while also experiencing His rest? - Backup Question
How does God’s rest differ from worldly rest?
Personal Application (45 seconds)
Write down one specific way you will pursue God’s rest this week:
- Schedule 10 minutes daily for Bible reading and prayer.
- Release a specific fear or burden to God in prayer.
- Take intentional steps to create balance between work and spiritual renewal.
- Reflect on your current “manna” vs. “fruit” season and trust God’s provision in both.
Closing Prayer (15 seconds)
Lord, thank You for the rest You provide through Jesus. Help us walk in faith, trusting You with our challenges and serving You joyfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Leader's Notes
Transitions:
- From Scripture to Context: “Let’s understand what this meant for Israel…”
- From Context to Discussion: “How does this apply to us today?”
- From Discussion to Application: “Let’s make this practical…”
Discussion Management:
- Balance theological depth and practical applications to engage a diverse group.
- Connect Joshua 5:12 to Hebrews 4 to emphasize the link between physical and spiritual rest.
- Encourage participants to share briefly to maintain discussion flow.
- Remind participants that rest is not merely relief but active trust in God’s sufficiency amid life’s demands.
Time Management:
- Keep scripture reading concise but reverent.
- If one section moves faster than expected, use extra time for deeper discussion.
- Reserve the last 2 minutes for personal application and prayer.