Pastor Paul Fowler shares Part 3 in our Fall series entitled "The File of Fasting: Sharpening Our Focus”.

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Reflection & Discussion

Warm-up. What is your favourite comfort food?

Read: Matt. 6:16-18. Ask God to bless your study.

What has your past experience with fasting been? Why have you or haven’t you fasted in the past?
Read Matthew 9:14-15. What does Jesus say is the purpose of fasting?
Read Isaiah 58:3-8. What insights does God give us about the type of fasting that He desires?
Richard Foster stated: “It is sobering to realize that the very first statement Jesus made about fasting dealt with the question of motive.” How can we know that our motives are true when fasting? Read Psalm 119:11.
Are there any ways as a small group that we should fast together or encourage each other as we fast?
Are there any functional “saviors” that you should consider fasting from? If so, what? (These could be morally neutral things.)

i. What things absolutely draw you away from Jesus?

ii. What things become excuses for not participating in community or serving others?

iii. What things do you run to when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired?

See below for Practical Suggestions for Fasting (Seek the guidance of your physician)

Starting with twenty-four hours means skipping two meals. At first, you can get pretty hungry in the afternoon, but you get used to it.
Consider combining a food fast with a social-media and news fast.
Drink coffee, tea, and vegetable juice. Stay away from fruit juices, if possible.
If you have hypoglycemia, a partial fast is an option.
Do normal work and exercise. Try not to tell anyone you are fasting.
Do a long period of quiet prayer, journaling, and reading Scripture.
If you fast for breakfast and lunch, try not to over eat at dinner. It defeats the purpose!