Wellbeing
About this theme
The concept of wellbeing is a growing idea in the world today. An internet search for ‘wellbeing’ turns up 616 million results! The Oxford English Dictionary defines wellbeing as “the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.” We’re frequently told to attend to our wellbeing, with many tips on how to look after our wellbeing and even how to prioritise our personal happiness first.
Much of which is extremely helpful. After all, God instructed mankind to care for creation (including himself), to include rest in his weekly routine and even that, “physical training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). But the Christian’s source of delight is not found in trying to arrange life into as comfortable a shape as possible; the Christian’s source of delight is God himself. Sam Storms wrote, ‘Happiness is the whole soul resting in God and rejoicing that so beautiful and glorious a Being is ours.’
This is the Christian’s story and delight - that he/she is loved, wanted, secure, eternally safe, adopted into God’s own family - all centred on Jesus’ death and resurrection for us. So as we look at the topic of wellbeing, there may be steps that you should take or changes you should make in the areas of exercise, rest, relationships, thought patterns, etc.
But it will also be the case that true delight, happiness and wellbeing - in both good times and tough times - will be found when God himself is treasured above all else.
Week 1
This starter question is for a new group that has just formed, it is designed to help you get to know one and other better.
Ask each other: “What is your life story?”
Ask each other questions and pray for each other.
All other weeks
Section A - Accountability & How are you doing? (30 minutes)
Action: How did you get on this week with putting into practice what you said last week?
Share: Who did you share that with?
Answer the following questions about how are you doing:
What has brought you joy and satisfaction recently?
What has been challenging you recently?
Section B - What is God saying through his Word (30 minutes)
Read the Bible passage below and use these questions as conversation starters:
What are the key truths about a) God, b) you, c) life, d) Jesus in the passage?
What questions do you have about this passage?
Action: Through this passage, what is God saying you should do / change / stop? “Therefore I will ____”
Share: This week, with who will you share what God is doing in your life?
Bible passages:
Week 2: Psalm 139:1-18 - You knit me together
Week 3: Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd
Week 4: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - Grace and power
Week 5: Wellbeing dials (see below)
Week 6: Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed
Week 7: Matthew 7:24-29 - Building on the rock
Week 8: Proverbs 3:1-6 - Trust in the Lord
Week 5: Wellbeing Dials & Questionnaire
Section A - Wellbeing questionnaire (on your own, prior to your DNA session)
For each of the following statements decide how you've been feeling in the last two weeks by using this 1 to 5 rating:
I’ve been feeling productive
I’ve been feeling positive about the future
I’ve been sleeping well
I’ve had plenty of energy
I’ve been feeling loved and secure in my relationships
I’ve been able to switch off and rest well
I’ve been decisive and attentive to my responsibilities
I’ve had a positive view of myself
I’ve been able to cope adequately with my responsibilities
I’ve been at peace with God and been enjoying his grace
I’ve had capacity to attend to the needs of others
I’ve been able to enjoy the present
Section B - Wellbeing dials (again, do this on your own prior to your DNA session)
Mark the level of wellbeing you have recently been feeling in each of these areas of your life.
In your DNA session, discuss your responses to the wellbeing dials and then spend some time praying.