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Worship & Fasting

High School Week 2 (March 19): Worship & Fasting

March 5, 2025
• 77min. read
•
Youth

Series Verses:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalms 1:1-3)

“You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” (Deuteronomy 14:2, NLT)

Discussion Goal: Worship and fasting help us live set apart.

Start Talking (Conversation Starter)

Have everyone take out their phones, go to their settings, and look up their screen time. On average, how much of your attention do you give your phone every day? Which apps get the most attention? 

Think It Through (and Talk It Out)

Leader Tip: Choose questions that resonate with your group’s age, experiences, and current understanding. There’s no pressure to cover all the questions — pick the ones that fit your group the best.  

  • When you hear the word “worship,” what comes to your mind? Besides church, where are some places you’ve seen others worship God? What are some ways they worshiped?

    • Outside of church, what are some things (or people) that are worshiped by culture? 

    • Read John 4:21-24. What does it mean to you to worship God in spirit and in truth? What would this look like in your day-to-day life?  

    ⬆️ Bible Bite: Who are true worshipers?

  • In addition to Bible reading, prayer, and worship, fasting is another spiritual discipline we can develop. Culture talks a lot about different types of fasts and diets (e.g., intermittent fasting, veganism, Keto diet, flexitarianism, etc.). What do you know about these, and how do you think they might differ from spiritual fasting? 

    • Read Matthew 6:16-18. Jesus said it’s not if we fast, but when we fast. Have you ever fasted or abstained from something to grow closer to God? Share about it with your eGroup. 

    • Why do you think Jesus warned His followers against making a show of their fasting?

    ⬆️ Leader Tip: There's a difference between fasting and abstaining. While fasting refers to giving up food for a period of time, abstaining is the act of temporarily stopping something you enjoy.

    There are three main times when it can be helpful to fast or abstain from something:
    1. To grow in holiness. (We read of Moses doing this in Deuteronomy 9.)
    2. To intensify our prayer and our spirituality. (The book of Esther is a great example of this.)
    3. As a form of repentance. (David did this after he sinned.)

    Note: This list doesn't include everything. There are other reasons to fast, such as standing with the poor or breaking addictions and strongholds.

  • Read Mark 2:18-20. Some people think that the purpose of fasting is to experience a specific
    feeling or outcome. Based on this passage, what does Jesus say the purpose of fasting is? 

Pray: God, in a world that takes its cues from culture, thank You for setting us apart through spiritual disciplines like worship and fasting. Please continue to encourage and strengthen us as we turn our attention and our hearts toward You. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Additional Questions

  • Read Matthew 15:8-11. When our mind’s attention and heart’s affection is on God, our hearts are close to God, and our worship comes from the inside. What steps can you take to start worshiping God with your whole life and focus your mind and heart on Him?

  • Read Matthew 4:1-11. How do you think fasting helped Jesus in the wilderness? 

  • Read Deuteronomy 14:1-2 (NLT). In these two verses, Moses is reminding the Israelites of their identity. He is calling them to live in a way that reflects their relationship with God and reminding them of the importance of maintaining practices that honor Him. While we are no longer called to the practices in verse one, how have you seen spiritual disciplines like worship and fasting help people live a life that is set apart? How have they helped you?