Rhythms and Routines

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How is your summer routine and calendar different from your fall routine and calendar?

If the fall semester is more concrete for your rhythms and routines, what do you enjoy about that? What do you dislike about it?

Psalm 90:12

[12] So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-17

[15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

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Area #1 - Personal Time With God

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“Some habits matter more than others in remaking lives. These are “keystone habits,” and they can influence how people work, eat, play, live, spend, and communicate. Keystone habits start a process that, over time, transforms everything.”

‍– Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit

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What are some popular keystone habits in our culture that shape people’s lives?

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Luke 10:38-42

[38] Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” [41] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

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“Martha isn’t doing anything bad. She’s just being pulled away from what is better. She’s so busy with dinner that she’s giving Jesus her spiritual leftovers. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, whether corporately or individually, never just happens. We must make learning from him and taking time to be with him a priority. The priority, in fact.”

– Keven DeYoung, Crazy Busy

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DeYoung asks, “If someone recorded your life for a week and then showed it to a group of strangers, what would they guess is the [“keystone habit”] in your life? What would they conclude is the one thing you must get done every day?

What changes would you need to make in your daily schedule for you to make spending time with God (studying the Bible and prayer) your “keystone habit”?

When you are consistent in spending time with God, how do you usually feel? What changes about you?

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Area #2 - Church

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“There’s something really powerful about groups and shared experiences. People might be skeptical about their ability to change if they’re by themselves, but a group will convince them to suspend disbelief. A community creates belief.”

– Lee Ann Kaskutas

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Why should being involved in the life of the church be a top priority for a Christian?

How does being in a Community Group at Kernan encourage you to form better spiritual habits?

You don’t necessarily have to answer this out loud, but you can if you want. What might you need to cut out of your life so you can better make church involvement a priority?