Fasting

This week spend time as a family connecting with God through fasting. Fasting resets our minds, hearts, and appetites on the things of the Lord.

To learn more about fasting, click here.

• Sunday

  Scripture:
  Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

  Exodus 34:28

  Activation:
  When we fast, our spiritual eyes can be opened to what God wants for us. Moses fasted and denied himself of food and drink. Moses didn’t spend his time of fasting thinking about the food he wasn't eating. He spent his time alone with God listening for His heart for the people and from that place, The Ten Commandments were written. Ask Holy Spirit, “What do you want to reveal to me? What is your heart for me, Lord?”

  Table Talk:
  Have you fasted before? If not, what’s holding you back from trying? If you have, talk about how you were more aware of His heart during that time.

• Monday

  Scripture:
  and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

  Luke 2:37

  Activation:
  As followers of Jesus, we should live a fasted life. To live a fasted life doesn’t mean you never eat. Living a fasted life simply means you live a life free of natural excess. There is nothing wrong with you enjoying things like your favorite foods, games, or even television. However, if you find yourself playing video games morning and night, eating all the time because you're bored, or keeping the television on all day, your life contains excess. Ask Holy Spirit to lead you into fasting the things that steal from your time with the Lord.

  Table Talk:
  What does the Bible say about fasting? When do you see fasting preceding God moving?

• Tuesday

  Scripture:
  Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
  
  Matthew 4:1-11

  Activation:
  Jesus fasted food. Ask Holy Spirit to lead you into what you should fast and for how long. Name your fast. Naming your fast could be something like, “fear go” if you find you are struggling with fear.

  Table Talk:
  Discuss as a family, what is one or more food item(s) you could set aside and eliminate for a designated amount of time, in order to press in to Him?

• Wednesday

  Scripture:
  Matthew 4:1-11

  Activation:
  Ask Holy Spirit to reveal areas where the desires of your flesh are stronger than your spirit man. If your spirit and your flesh had a boxing fight, who would win?

  Table Talk:
  While fasting and feeling a temptation to eat and give in, what are some declarations that you can speak so your spirit man is louder than your flesh?

• Thursday

  Scripture:
  Matthew 4:1-11

  Activation:
  Search the scriptures and find scriptures to stand on when the enemy comes with his lies. Just like Jesus, you will be able to respond with, “away from me, Satan! the Bible says, _______.” The enemy has no other choice than to leave you alone when you use the truth of the word of God to fight his lies.

  Table Talk:
  What do you begin to feel in your physical body as you declare truth over your thoughts and temptations? Do you begin to feel stronger and built up? Do your thoughts begin to change?

• Friday

  Scripture:
  Matthew 4:1-11

  Activation:
  If you are fasting food or an activity but found yourself enjoying either of those things this week, are you dealing with guilt over it? If you have broken your fast by picking up the thing you are fasting, don’t be discouraged! Pray and ask the Lord to forgive you and start right back up!
  
  Table Talk:
  Together, talk about what success means for your family. What does it mean to be successful in something? Does it mean to never make a mistake or does success look like standing up from a mistake and doing better next time?

• Saturday

  Scripture:
  Matthew 4:1-11

  Activation:
  When have you felt the help of Holy Spirit this week as you have fasted? In prayer, give thanks to the Lord for that help. Don’t ask for anything, just thank Him.

  Table Talk:
  Talk about moments when you were really struggling with something and when you asked the Holy Spirit to come and help you. How did things change for you? Maybe your circumstances didn’t change but maybe something in you did.