Key Bible Passage(s):

Ex.24:9-11; Matt.8:11, 11:19; Ex.16:2-3; Deut.8:2-3

Tier 1:

Feasting is perhaps an unexpected spiritual discipline. But time and again in the Scriptures significant moments such as the forging of a covenant, or the recognition of God’s activity, is marked with a feast. Indeed, the culmination of salvation in the renewal of all things is marked with the greatest feast of all (e.g. Rev.19:9). Jesus was so accustomed to feasting that He was branded a glutton (Matt.11:19). So is it any wonder that Christians are called to feast as well!

Tier 2:

The other side of the coin is Jesus’ expectation that the Church would continue their ancient practice of fasting. Fasting touches on several aspects of our discipleship, and it confronts us forcibly with the fragility of our createdness.  It is meant precisely to expose our weakness, vulnerability and impotence before our God, and so underline our reliance on Him.

Tier 3:

The relationship between food, sin and God is multi-faceted and dynamic. Learning how to order our appetites for each is a key milestone in our pursuit of Christian discipleship. Food can replace God, mask sin and feed the illusion of our independence. The disciplines of feasting and fasting can expose what is in our heart in a way that allows us to bring it to the cross in repentance, and consequently to grow in our likeness to Christ.

Let us say something about fasting, because many, for want of knowing its usefulness, undervalue its necessity, and some reject it as almost superfluous; while, on the other hand where the use of it is not well understood, it easily degenerates into superstition. Holy and legitimate fasting is directed to three ends; for we practice it either as a restraint on the flesh, to preserve it from licentiousness, or as a preparation for prayers and pious meditations, or as a testimony of our humiliation in the presence of God when we are desirous of confessing our guilt before him.”

John Calvin

Discussion Groups:

What sets a feast apart form a regular meal? Do we need to simplify ‘ordinary time’ so that we can celebrate more effectively?

How do you feast during a ‘cost-of-living’ crisis?

What is the difference between feasting and gluttony (have a look at Col.3:4-6; Prov.23:20-21)? How can you keep on the right side of that difference?

What differences are there between our society’s ideas about feasting, and Biblical ones?

What do temptations to avoid ‘feasting’ look like? How can I resist them?

How can you build feasting in your vision of discipleship?

When would feasting be an inappropriate, or even dangerous, discipline to practice (see e.g. Is.1:13-15; Hos.5:7; Zech.7:6; I Cor.11:20-22 & 33-34)?

and later in the session:

Do you join in with ‘fasting’ on [our Church’s] days of prayer and fasting?  Why / why not? 

How do you make sense of Zech.8:19, This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah”?

How does the prospect of fasting make you feel?  How does that differ from your response to the prospect of feasting?  Why do you think there is such a difference between the two?  Should there be?

What is the connection between the Church’s failure in fasting, and her complicity in injustice, abuse, exploitation, division (Is.58:1-4)?   What else renders fasting ineffectual (see also e.g. Zech.7:5; Lk.18:11-12 etc.)?

What do you think Paul is driving at when he talks about people whose ‘god is their stomach’ (Phil.3:19)?

What differences are there between our society’s ideas about fasting, and Biblical ones?

What do temptations to avoid ‘fasting’ look like?  How can I resist them?

Homework:

Over this half-term we will be working to memorise Matthew 5:33-37. You will have to keep refreshing Matt.5:1-32, Matt.6:5-34 and Matt.7:1-28 whilst you do this.

(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the 3 years of DTP)

explore the website: www.thecommonrule.org What is helpful? What can you incorporate into your Rule of Life (To Be a Christian Q&A 252-255)

Plan and enjoy both a fast and a feast (see pdf on practical considerations on fasting)