Bible Study for Women Directions
Mingling
Enjoy the snacks and make sure you all know each other's names.
Need a little help? Here's a conversation starter:
SAY: Hi, my name's
[your name], and when I really need to rest, I:
______________________.
Before starting, pray something like this: God, thank
you for bringing each individual woman here. Help us to put
everything that's crowding our minds aside so that we can find our
rest in you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Experience
(Note: The hostess will prepare this experience.)
SAY: Many of us have heard over
and over about how God gives us rest-so much so that our eyes glaze
over when we hear those words before really giving a second thought
to what they mean. Do this activity that will help you experience
what it feels like to have your burdens lifted.
Get into groups of three and stand next to one another. Have the
two women on the outside hold down the middle woman's arms while
she tries as hard as she can to raise them to the side. Use a clock
or stopwatch, and have women let go of their partners' arms after
30 seconds. Switch roles so that each woman gets to be in the
middle.
SAY: Ahh, didn't it feel good
to have your burdens lifted? Quick, name all of the words that come
to mind that describe how it felt to have your arms held
down.
ASK: How about when your arms
were released?
When have you felt like this after having a burden in
your life lifted?
The Word
Read Matthew 11:28-30 together.
SAY: Today's passage focuses on
finding rest in Jesus by taking on his "yoke." Which may lead you
to wonder…what's a yoke? A yoke is a wooden harness or frame that
fits over the neck and shoulders of animals to make them work
together. The yoke is attached to a plow or other farming tool that
is pulled by the animals. Most of the time the Bible uses this
imagery to refer to slavery or difficult times. Yet in this
passage, Jesus says his yoke is a positive thing.
Many of us are yoked to heavy burdens. Life feels
difficult. We have burdens of sin. People are demanding and it
weighs us down. We're weary of searching for answers. Jesus, with
his yoke, frees us from these heavy burdens and gives us his rest
through our relationship with him. Let's find out how as we open
God's Word together!
In groups of four or five, discuss these questions.
ASK: What kind of burdens do
you think Christ is talking about in this passage?
What burdens are you carrying that are really wearing
you out?
How do the words you thought of in the experience of
having your arms held down relate to this?
SAY: Jesus said, "Let me teach
you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find
rest for your souls."
ASK: What other teachings,
teachers, or methods of teaching might he be comparing himself
to?
SAY: Notice that Jesus doesn't
just say that he will give us rest. His words indicate that we gain
his rest by taking on his yoke.
ASK: What does it mean to take
on Jesus' yoke?
SAY: Compare receiving Jesus'
rest with the experience of having your arms released. Are you
ready to stop carrying your burdens on your own and take on Jesus'
yoke? If not, what's stopping you? If so, how can you do
this?
Take Action
SAY: Let's not just talk about
finding rest for our souls in Jesus, let's do it! Write down how
you're going to trade your weariness and burdens for Jesus' yoke
and rest. If you're having a hard time thinking of something,
choose one of the ideas below. Next week, you'll share with one
another how you did.
I'm going to give my burdens to Jesus and take on his yoke and
rest by:
• I'm going to sit down and write out an honest list of all my
reasons for not setting down my burdens and accepting Jesus' gift
of rest. Then I commit to have a long honest talk with God about
them.
• I commit to let Jesus teach me in his humble and gentle way.
I'll read Matthew 6:25-34 to learn more about resting in God and
meditate on what that means for my life.
• I'll gather a few pebbles to carry in my pocket. Each time I
find myself picking up my burdens, I commit to stop in my tracks.
I'll take out a pebble and pray that God will help me put the
burden back down and instead take on Jesus' yoke and his rest. Then
I'll throw that pebble away.
