Thinking about last week’s discussion, how would you say God is at work in your
life right now?

This week in GROW, we focus on resting in His plans for our lives. Read Ps.
23:1-6. Since the Lord is our shepherd, what do we learn from this passage
about trusting in Him and resting in His plans?
What does Jeremiah 6:16 promise if we walk in the old, godly way? Have you
ever not wanted His road? Was that road restful?
Battling God for our own desires and plans versus following His plans is a
tumultuous undertaking. What does Jeremiah 4:3-4 instruct us to do?
Read Luke 15:11-24. What made the prodigal son finally go home? Did his
father honor his wishes and make him a servant? Whose plan, the son’s or the
father’s, was the best plan?
Read Colossians 1:9-11. How can we know God’s plans? What good things
come from resting in God’s plans for our lives?
What does Jesus promise us in Matthew 11:28-30?

GROW #2 Rest in His plans

1. Like a seed taken from the sunlight by a farmer and buried in the soil where
there is no light, we do not fret in times of darkness and silence.
we know who is planting us
we know He has good plans
we know we are in His care
So, we simply stay put, and rest in His plans.
Ps. 23:4 NLT
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

2. When I stop fighting against His plans and trust Him, rest begins.
Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)
This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for
the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your
souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
Jeremiah 4:3-4 (NLT)
This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the
hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O
people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your
hearts before the LORD, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because
of all your sins.
Luke 15:17-20 (NLT)
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired
servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go
home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,

19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a
hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his
father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son,
embraced him, and kissed him.

3. I can rest in The Lord because He gives me clarity of His will.
Colossians 1:9-10 NLT
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask
God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom
and understanding.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Colossians 1:10 NLT
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will
produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know
God better and better.

4. While I rest in Him, He strengthens me with endurance and patience.
Colossians 1:11 NLT
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will
have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,
Psalms 23:1-3 (NLT)
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green
meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He
guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.