Roadblocks to Freedom from Busyness
February 9, 2015 | by: Brad Creech | 0 Comments
Posted in: Sermon Questions
PARTICIPANT'S GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP GATHERINGS
Sermon: Roadblocks to Freedom from Busyness, February 8th, 2015
Series: Busy: Finding Your Way In A Hectic World
Primary Passages:
The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. Proverbs 29:25
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Launching Discussion: One of the themes that has been persistent throughout this series is that our busyness issues are actually indicators of a deeper core issue in the way we view our time. As a primer, take some time to reflect back on the series and discuss what some of the core issues are that lead to busyness.
Sermon Questions:
1. In this sermon, Pastor Anthony addressed two major road blocks to being free from busyness. He used the example of an Abrams tank blocking a road.
- Do you find yourself wanting to be free from busyness, but feeling that there is a proverbial Abrams tank in the way?
- In the tank analogy, Pastor Anthony explained that he tried to get to his apartment using another route, but that is when he met the tank. Have you tried different ways of “getting around” your busyness issue? If so, what were they and were they successful?
2. With each of the two roadblocks, Pastor Anthony identified the roadblock, looked at the issue beneath the roadblock, identified the lie, and corrected it with Jesus’ truth. This means that the roadblocks we experience have an underlying issue and a lie we believe that leads us to that issue.
- Most people have some kind of justification for their busyness issue – some reason why it's not their fault. Why do you think people try to justify their busyness issue?
- Have you caught yourself doing this? If so, how did you try to justify your busyness issue?
- As you discuss these roadblocks, examine yourself to see if you fit into either of these categories.
3. Busyness Roadblock #1- I’m busy because of what other people ask me to do. What this person is really saying is, “I’m Busy because I’m living by other people’s expectations of me.”
- The person with this road block fits the description of a “people pleaser.” They do not want to let anyone down or upset anyone so they live frantically trying to please everyone.
A. Is this or has this ever been a road block for you? If so, describe what your life was/is like under this expectation.
B. How have you dealt with this road block, if at all?
- The lie leading to this road block is that the individual fears man more than God.
A. Why is this unhealthy?
B. If this is the lie then what is the right perspective, and how does it change how we live in light of other people’s expectations?
4. Busyness Roadblock # 2--I’m really busy because if I’m not--my life will spin out of control. What this person is really saying is, “I think I’m in total control of my life.”
- This is the person who stays busy trying to control everything. There is a fear in this person that says, “If you do not control every aspect of your life, things will go downhill.”
A. Is this or has this ever been a road block for you? If so, describe what your life was/is like under this expectation.
B. How have you dealt with this road block, if at all?
- This is the lie leading to this road block. Although we want to believe we are in total control of our lives, there is only one person who is – God.
A. Pastor Anthony called this roadblock “ridiculously irrational.” What is it about this roadblock that is so irrational?
B. If you resonate with this road block, how can you correct this perspective?
5. These are the two major road blocks to freedom from busyness, but there are many more. Take some time to consider what road blocks you experience. Do you have any that are not listed? If so, what are the underlying issues and lies involved and what is the right perspective?
In conclusion, spend some time praying that God would help you deal with the roadblocks in your life so you can be free to glorify Him with your time.
