Canceling Hurry - Week 4
Unhurried Mission — The Overflow of a Rested Life
Acts 3:1–10
Big Idea: When our soul slows down, our eyes open up. Unhurried people see divine opportunities others rush past.
I. Presence Leads to Power
Acts 3:1–4
Core Principle: Peter looked straight at the man others ignored because his soul was spiritually present.
Application: A hurried mind cannot host the Holy Spirit's promptings. We must create space to see the person, not just the obstacle in our way.
II. Love Interrupts the Schedule
Acts 3:6–7
Core Principle: The miracle happened on the way to prayer—not at the destination.
Application: Interruptions are often divine appointments. The Spirit sets the pace, not our clock or daily schedule.
III. Margin Births Ministry
Acts 3:8–10
Core Principle: Peter offered the overflow of Christ's power, not money.
Application: The effectiveness of our witness is directly proportional to the quality of our internal rest. We pour out the resources (patience, peace, hope) we accumulate in the quiet place.
Challenge
Commit to slowing the pace of one routine action this week.
Purpose: Slow down to create the margin for our soul to notice the divine opportunity God has placed in front of us.
Small Group Questions
1. The sermon stated: "Unhurried people see divine opportunities others rush past." When was the last time we were so focused on our own internal schedule (hurried) that we believe we completely missed seeing a clear need in front of us (at work, at home, or at church)? What was the cost of that hurriedness?
2. Peter's first action was to look directly at the beggar and say, "Look at us." What does true "presence" look like in our modern, distracted lives (i.e., less distraction)? What practical habit can we adopt this week to be more "present" with our family or neighbors?
3. We discussed how "Love Interrupts the Schedule." Share a time when an unexpected interruption (a crisis, a request for help) threw off our personal routine but ended up being a moment where God clearly used us. How did that moment change our view of "interruptions"?
4. Peter offered the overflow of his relationship with Christ, not money ("I have no silver or gold..."). What spiritual resources—patience, peace, hope, or clarity—is our hurried life currently consuming? If we slow down, what kind of "overflow" could we bring back to our workplace or family?
5. The sermon implied the effectiveness of our mission is tied to the quality of our internal rest. What is one practical step (related to Slowing, Simplicity, or Silence) we can commit to this week to create the necessary "internal margin" for the Holy Spirit's power to flow?
Day 1 - The Power of Presence
Acts 3:1-5
Reflection: Peter saw the man others rushed past because his soul was slow enough to notice. When we are hurried, our focus is inward (on our schedule). When we are present, our focus shifts outward. Where are we typically looking when we are rushing—at our feet, our phone, or the faces around us?
Action: Today, choose one routine (lunch break, walking into work/school) and commit to observing people instead of looking at our phone. Pray for the ability to see one person's need we usually miss.
Day 2 - Love Interrupts the Schedule
Acts 3:6-7
Reflection: Peter and John were on their way to a fixed appointment (prayer). The miracle happened on the way. The unhurried heart sees an interruption not as an enemy to the schedule, but as a divine appointment. When an interruption causes stress, it reveals that our control is valued more than the Spirit’s leading.
Action: When an unexpected interruption arises today (a delay, a difficult conversation, an unplanned task), resist the urge to react with stress. Instead, pause, pray ("Spirit, what do we do now?"), and respond with grace, viewing the moment as a potential assignment from God.
Day 3 - The Overflow of Ministry
Acts 3:8-10
Reflection: Peter didn't offer silver or gold; he offered the overflow of the power of Jesus Christ. Margin births ministry because we have something spiritual to pour out when the Spirit prompts us. When we run on empty, we pour out impatience; when we are filled, we pour out peace.
Action: Reflect on the resources we pour out daily. If we are pouring out frustration, we need to create space. Commit to an intentional 15 minutes of quiet Bible reading and prayer before the day starts to fill the spiritual tank.