The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Prologue (2|2)
Autobiography of an epidemic
Pages 6-10
TOGETHER read the book and then the following scriptures slowly and attentively
as you read together INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Matthew 10:39-40 (NIV) ”Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
Matthew 20:16 (NIV) “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
John 3:30-31 (NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.” The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Share just one or two things that stood out to you while reading the book and/or scripture. (try to keep it brief)
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your notes and pray.
“People will talk; they always do: He couldn’t hack it (true). Wasn’t smart enough (not true). Wasn’t tough enough (okay, mostly true). Let them talk; I have new metrics now.”
What is it you fear that people might talk about if you courageously seek to choose the countercultural way of Jesus?
What might new metrics look like for you?
Read (slowly and attentively) 2 Corinthians (above) and meditate on it:
What areas of your life would change if you set new metrics based on these teachings?
What areas of your life would that be a struggle to do? Why?
Read (slowly and attentively)Matthew 11:28-30 (above) and meditate on it:
In what areas of your life is it hard to give your burdens to Jesus? Why?
How do YOU describe failure in your life?
How do YOU describe success in your life?
Pause and pray - ask Jesus how HE views the failure and success you described - and journal
about it.
EXTRA READING:
In his Rule for monastic communities, Benedict of Nursia (480 - 547) wrote, “What we mean to establish is a school for the Lord’s service. In the guidance we lay down to achieve this, we hope to impose nothing harsh or burdensome. If, however, you find in it anything which seems rather strict, but which is demanded reasonably for the correction of vice or the preservation of love, do not let that frighten you into fleeing from the way of salvation; it is a way which is bound to seem narrow to start with. But, as we progress in this monastic way of life and in faith, our hearts will warm to its vision, and with eager love and delight that defies expression, we shall go forward on the way of God’s commandments. Then we shall never think of deserting His guidance, we shall persevere in fidelity to His teaching until death so that through our patience we may be granted some part in Christ’s own passion and thus in the end receive a share in His kingdom.”