Practicing the Presence of God>
God’s Sabbath rest for mind and soul>
The Healing Practice of Acceptance>
God's Sabbath Rest For Mind and Soul
God reveals Himself in the Bible as good, ever present, all-powerful, and always able to handle for us whatever we encounter in life. “Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7), God told Israel. Similarly, God’s Son, Jesus, tells those who believe in Him, “in the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God says He is our strength who overcame and overcomes for us. He promises to complete the good work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). What do these promises mean in the face of human suffering? How do we “cease striving” (Psalm 46:10) and learn to entrust God with who we are and all that challenges our world?
This course is designed to respond to these and other questions. God completed His work of creation in His Sabbath (Genesis 2:2). The Bible also speaks of His holy rest that is fulfilled in the complete work of Jesus Christ. This course will address living more fully in God’s rest by receiving and responding to His complete works of creation and redemption. We will focus on integrating spiritual and psychological healing and growth, in the light of God’s holy rest
The following classes will explore living in God’s holy rest, in the nature of who He is and in the sufficiency of what He does
Class 1: Orienting to God's rest - God's rest is revealed in the light of His holiness, His distinct life that is gracious and giving
Class 2: God’s Sabbath in the Bible - God’s rest completed His creation, was given to Israel as the 4th commandment, and is offered as a personal gift to each of us in Jesus
Class 3: Discerning God’s rest - We will explore how to follow God by His waters of rest (Psalm 23:2), and “find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). How is God’s rest described in the Bible?
Class 4: Relationships, Part 1 - Boundaries in relationships are safe and securely grounded when they are formed and nourished in God’s rest
Class 5: Relationships, Part 2 - We will explore the value of emotions, how to live with them, and their relation to God’s rest and humility
Class 6: Mindfulness, Part 1 - God wants us to live more centered in Him. How do we live with our busy minds that so easily blind us to God’s ever present rest?
Class 7: Mindful living, Part 2 - Jesus calls us to focus our eye “singly” on God (Matthew 6:22). We will explore practices to live more focused in His secret presence (6:6)
Class 8: God's freedom in His rest - We all depend on habits to form and direct much of our life. God's rest changes our relation to habits, especially the severe habits of addictions