2023 SCoC Fasting Instruction Sheet and Quiet Times 

Theme: Revive us again

Theme Scripture

Psalms 85:4 Restore us again, God our savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Revive (Hebrew Chayah) - to live or to find life, in God. We find life in God and we learn about God through God’s word.

Fast Details

Starts January 1st at 12:01am and ends on January 22nd. We will end our fast on the 22nd as we come together as the body of Christ for service.

Corporate focus for the Fast

The goal is to turn to God as a church in humility and beg God for new visions and dreams to do His will. Pray for the desire to exchange our will for His, our dreams for His, and our mission for His. In order to be revived, we must be willing to let go of the past or anything that is holding us back from God’s plan and mission for our lives. Every one of us needs to be revived we need to renew our faith in Jesus and get back to the mission that God has given us. That doesn’t mean we neglect everything else, but it does mean our lives are centered around the cross and focused on God’s mission rather than God revolving around our lives.

This year’s focus is to help us get back to the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20). Sharing our faith and being in a Bible study with someone who is not yet a Christian. Which is always our goal - but now we can pray specifically for this to be our hearts.

Personal Focus for every disciple in the Savannah church

We will provide some guidance for the sake of unity and working together in our walk with God. But we will also encourage you to set some personal goals as well.

1. What will you be fasting from for the 22 days. Ideas given below

2. Write out a spiritual “hit list” for focused prayer throughout the fast

3. Read the daily devotions, and journal every day

4. Pray about being in a personal Bible study with a non-Christian this year

5. Pray every day to be renewed in your faith

Some Suggestions for the fast:

1. Vegetarian meals only, no more than two meals per day, no fast food or sweets

2. No food from sunrise to sunset, no fast food or sweets

3. Only one meal a day

4. Liquids only - nutrition drinks, smoothies etc.

(These are not the only options, but are provided to give some ideas)

Note for those with specific health conditions: be sure to discuss your fasting plans with your healthcare professional.

Quiet Time #1 - Read this chapter, Isaiah 58

One of the hardest things about fasting is getting our hearts behind it. We can be more willing to fast when we are facing hard times or are desperate for an answer. Fasting always takes humility. It’s the willingness to give up something physical that sustains you for God, whom we don't see. If we don’t have the right heart we could find ourselves full of strife and “hangery” towards others. Let’s beg God for a new heart. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #2 - Read Isaiah 58 again.

In verse 3 the people question why they had humbled themselves and fasted because they didn’t see God. This is a prideful mindset. It takes humility to give up something that can benefit you for something else. But we don’t humble ourselves to fast; we fast because we need to be more humble. The act of fasting will reveal if we are proud or humble and the evidence is in our response. It was as if they demanded God to recognize their fasting. A humble perspective is rather than focusing on what God can do for us, we consider what we can do for others. Now go back and re-read verses 8-14. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #3: Read Psalm 51:12-13

Sharing Jesus and not just reaching out, but participating in a bible study, is one way to determine if we have lost our joy in the Lord. We discover from this chapter that when our joy is in the Lord, we are more willing to share our faith and actively lead others to God. Pray as David did for God’s joy, then reach out and set up a Bible study this month. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #4 Read Romans 12:1-21.

Do you want to know what God’s will is? Paul urges the disciples to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice. This is also what Jesus means when he said deny yourself and take up you cross. Paul said “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. It’s one thing to ask for God to show us his will, it’s another thing to put what he says into practice. We see again our focus is on others. Hebrews 13:15-16 ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #5 Matthew 9:14-17

Jesus was questioned about fasting and why his disciples don’t fast. He answered, as long as he is with His disciples they won't need to fast, but when he leaves they will fast. He then tells us about wineskins and not mixing the old with the new. What is something you need to let go of to be made new? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #6 Matthew 9:14-38

Today we’re reading Matthew 9 again, but this time read to the end. Jesus talks about fasting before sharing two incredible acts of faith. The chapter ends with Jesus going through the towns proclaiming the kingdom of God and healing people. Then he gives His disciples something specific to focus on in prayer. Let’s pray for the workers today and remember you are also a worker! ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #7 Read Ephesians 6:10-20

Be strong and stay in God’s power and we do this by putting on God’s armor. The armor represents protection from the enemy. The enemy is a deceiver and a liar, he wants you to question God. We take a stand with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. The Aramaic word for armor is zine which means protection, security, and shiny. The armor offers us protection and security, but the person wearing it has to decide to keep it shiny by taking care of it. A warrior takes care of his armor; he polishes it every day. The warrior approaching in shiny armor scares off the devil. Shiny armor shows the warrior is brave and one who is ready for battle at all times. He never lets that polished shine fade. If we don’t take care of our armor and if we don’t polish it every day, it loses its shine. The enemy will take advantage of this and he will attack swiftly. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #8 Read Colossians 3:1-17.

Dress for success. Putting on our armor was the topic of previous devotion. Colossians is about how we respond after we have put it on. When we think about our day, whether it’s hot, cold or rainy, we dress accordingly. If we are going to work, school, the office or bedtime, then we also dress appropriately. Spiritually, we also need to set our minds on what we are going to do and then we dress accordingly. Paul tells us to set our mind on the things above and how we need to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness. Over all these virtues, we put on love. What are you wearing today? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #9 Read Genesis Chapter 1 and 2

God created man from the dirt of the ground. Today you can buy a bag of dirt for $2 for a 50lb bag. If we valued everyone by today’s standard the average person would be worth around $7. God is the overseer of our souls (1 Peter 2:23-25) Do you place more value on your body and your flesh rather than your soul? The world might value you from the way you were made, but we don't get our value from them, we get it from Jesus. You are Priceless! ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #10 Read Zechariah 7:4-14

We are more than seven days into the fast. We need to ask ourselves, "Why am I fasting?" For seventy years, the Lord’s people continually fasted. How are you doing after a week of fasting? God relates serving the needy to fasting in verses 9 and 10. Zechariah teaches us what it is to genuinely pursue justice. Many people and organizations around the world are currently engaged in the battle against injustice. However, as disciples, we are obligated to pursue justice, and this takes a different form. We battle for justice, not against injustice. We do this by helping the victim and showing mercy and compassion. So, while you fast, use this time to identify who you can serve in this way. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #11 Read Ezra 8:21:23

Ezra proclaimed a fast for humility and safe travel. In Hebrew the word fast is tsum, which means to abstain from food. If we dig a little deeper, the Aramaic word is sum and basically means to “cover your mouth.” The spelling of this word is helpful for the definition it’s spelled Sadeצ , Vav ו ,Mem מ .The Sade represents humility, Vav represents a connection from earth to heaven, and Mem represents things that are hidden. In Ezra’s case there was so much human effort involved in the preparation for this journey that the people had almost forgotten that God was behind this move. This fasting was to pursue humility: the humility to recognize that this whole operation was the workings of God and not man. We fast to recognize that God is in control and not us. God wants the Savannah church to grow more than you and I do. So let’s humble ourselves during this fast and seek for God to show us how we can accomplish His will in our journey together. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #12 Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Paul had a thorn in his flesh, so he would rely on God. What if your weakness or your struggle was given to you so you would rely more on God? Some of us have faced major challenges in our lives; sickness, disease, loss, financial struggles or even hurt from someone in the church. Paul said he will boast and delight in his weakness so that Christ's power would rest on him. Do you use your weakness and struggles to help others to God? Pray to reach out to someone who needs you to hear how you allow God to use your weakness to help others and for God’s glory. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #13 Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Twelve days of fasting so far and similar to Paul, you probably feel like you are wasting away. Let this be a time of renewal inwardly. A time to empty yourself and call out to God to fill you up. In verse 15 we learn that all this is for your benefit. So that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Is God’s grace in you overflowing and reaching others? Share with someone how God’s grace has impacted your life. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #14 Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Jesus died for us while we were His enemies (Rom. 5:8), and then gives us the ministry of reconciliation. He does not look at you for who you are, as a sinner, but he sees you as who you can be, as His disciple. This should compel us to be His ambassadors. Share about Jesus today! ____________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #15 Read Matthew 4:4, Matthew 5:6

How hungry are you? Not just for food, but for change. Are you more hungry for food or more eager to change that one thing you have been working on changing for so long? Write down what it is you want to change, then share it with someone in the church and develop a plan together to change it. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #16 Read Ephesians 4:17-32

Part of making the changes you need to make is what Paul says in V20. You learned a new way of life when you studied the Bible. What it means to be a disciple and how to live in accordance to the truth of Jesus. He shares in V24 and puts on a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. He then shares what we should STOP doing. What are some of the things Paul mentions here that you need to stop doing? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #17 Luke 2:22-40

Jesus was at the temple. His parents came in contact with two people, one being Simeon, and the other was a prophetess widow named Anna. She was known for never leaving the temple. She worshiped, fasted and prayed day and night. The point of the text is Anna’s lifestyle was that of a woman who was known for being at church praying and fasting all the time. It doesn't mean she never ate, never left the temple or never stopped praying. It means that she was known for these things. This is who she was. What would people say about you? What are you known for? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #18 Read all of 2 Kings 22

The book of the law was found by Hilkiah the priest, who gave it to Shaphan, the secretary. When Josiah, who became king at only 8 years old, and was only 26 years old at this time, heard the words, how did he respond? Why do you think Josiah responded like that? Unfortunately, the high priest and the secretary did not respond the same way. How do you respond when you hear God's words? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #19 Restore, Renew, Revive.

This is one of the main goals for the church as well as for each member of the Savannah Church. On the final page of this fasting packet we have a restoration study. Take some time today to look it over. Some of us may need a spiritual boost. Some of us just want our joy back and others to be revived. However, there may be some who need to be restored to the church and others who need their relationship with Jesus restored. Take some time to reflect. What do you need? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #20 Joel 2

God had allowed this tragedy that affected the Israelites. It seems as if there is some kind of tragedy that happens almost daily and in our own lives. We haven't seen anything affect our world like Covid. Though I do not believe God allows things like this to happen out of malice or even anger, as we define anger. Nevertheless, He does allow it and when things like Covid happen, I do believe God is trying to wake us up so we can turn to him. In Joel 2:12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

What does it look like to turn or return to God with all our heart? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #21 James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double[1]minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

How do you submit to God? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Quiet Time #22

Today we break our fast together. Take some time this morning to review your notes and reflect on God. Plan to come to church ready to share how you have seen God and what you have seen God during this fast. Share a quiet time that has impacted you the most. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________

Extra Reading Below

Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

2 Chronicles 7:14 This scripture, like most, addresses God’s people. It said they were wicked. What were they doing that was so wicked? They were living the way they wanted to live and not living for God. Humility is recognizing everything you have is from God. When we feel blessed, we turn to God. When we hurt or suffer, we turn to God. This acknowledgment is humble. Then we pray and seek God.

2 Chronicles 12:7 If you go back and read the last 3 chapters, we learn that Solomon put a heavy burden on the people, and when Rehoboam became King the people asked for reform, but Rehoboam chose harsher policies. God was not happy and opposed him. But when God saw that he humbled himself, God said, “I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance.” Humility leads to Deliverance. What do you need to be delivered from?

Philippians 4:4-20 Paul learned the secret to being content in every situation. Have you? What is stopping you from being content?

Philippians 2:1-18 Today, you value others above yourself by looking out for others’ interests. A good way to do this is to call someone in the church who you may not know very well to encourage them or find out what they like and drop something off to them.

Read the entire book of Jonah, it’s only 47 verses. Ask yourself why do you think the entire city was willing to fast and put on sackcloth? Have you ever felt this broken and humble?

Ephesians 3:14-21. Such a powerful prayer. Write out this prayer, hang it at work, at home. Read and pray for it every day. !

James 5:16 …”the powerful and effective (fervent) prayer of a righteous person avails much.”

The word fervent in Greek is energoumene from the root word energo, which gives us the word energy. It is power moving from one stage point to the next, like electricity running through a wire. The Aramaic explains this further. The word Chayla is the Aramaic word for hurting. The hurting prayer of a righteous person avails much. So, prayer isn’t just about power as we know, a dynamic, powerful, passionate prayer. And it’s not just about us. It’s about God and going to him and opening our heart to allow things in, even if it hurts, and then allowing what comes into our heart to flow out to God.

Renew Hebrew chadash means to repair

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

You may feel weak, strength comes from the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Restore your relationship with God.

Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old

You may look old, feel old, but you have been saved in the washing and rebirth by God’s Spirit.

Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Restoration Study

Luke 15:32 prodigal son 

2 Corinthians 13:5:11 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 

I. Initial Commitment and Falling Away 

Mark 1:14-18 

Peter had been with Jesus throughout his entire ministry. He made the decision to be a disciple and to give up everything to follow Jesus. 

Matthew 26:31-35 

Peter emphatically told Jesus that he would never leave him. We confess Jesus as our Lord, and say that we will never leave him. This is what you said in your studies the first time. You said it at your baptism and probably many times after that, even when you saw others fall away. 

Matthew 26:69-75 

Peter did exactly what Jesus predicted. Peter denied Jesus three times. When Peter realized what he had done he wept bitterly. Not only does Peter verbally deny Jesus, but also here, by his actions “calling down curses and swearing”, Peter goes back to the lifestyle of a pre-disciple fisherman. You have denied Jesus by your words and by the life you have lived since falling away. 

II. Call to Restoration 

John 21:1-14 

Peter has been around the kingdom and disciples for about 40 days since the resurrection of Jesus, but still has not dealt with what he has done. Here the normally talkative Peter had nothing to say. He is now back with Jesus at the site of his original call to be a disciple – the Sea of Galilee, the place where he first acknowledged his sinfulness (Luke 5:8). This is why, if possible, we have restorations publicly in front of the church. Jesus wants us to remember the first time we said and did everything to become a disciple and how very serious our recommitment is! Jesus is the one to take the initiative with Peter, even though Peter should have started the exchange. You are here today because people have been praying for you, because disciples reached out to you again or were here to help you, and most of all, because God is willing to have you back. 

John 21:15-17 

You already said, “Jesus is Lord.” Jesus asks Peter three times if he really loves him. Do you really love him? Why did Jesus ask three times? Perhaps because Peter denied him three times, or perhaps because once was not enough the first time. Also, Jesus emphasizes that Peter show his love by taking care of Jesus’ people, “Feed my sheep.” You need to take care of God’s people, and reach out to the lost. It hurts a lot of people when you fall away. 

John 21:18-22 

In Mark 1, Jesus called His disciples, as he called you, to a new purpose. Your new purpose requires that you leave the world behind completely and follow him. Here Jesus made it clear to Peter that he would endure much and die a horrible death, but following Jesus meant that he could never fall away again. There. You have to do this because you love God and want to follow him no matter what. Peter was concerned about the commitment of another disciple. Jesus makes it clear that the only real issue is that Peter fell away and that he must become and stay a disciple. How other disciples live has absolutely nothing to do with your personal commitment to be restored and to follow Jesus for the rest of your life. 

III. The Restored Life 

Acts 1:12-14 

The goal of your restoration is not to get you back to where you were before as a disciple, but it is to make it even better. The restored Peter is a different man. Just 30-40 days earlier, he couldn’t even stay awake with Jesus. Now he is a prayer warrior. He is awake, grateful and powerful. He is no longer a coward and concerned about what others think of him. The old Peter was impetuous. Now he is controlled, spiritual and focused. He was humbled before God and now has a deeper understanding of what it is to be lost. 

Acts 2:14-39 (refer to) 

Peter, who had been intimidated by a servant girl, now preaches powerfully in front of a crowd of thousands who had called for Jesus to be crucified. In one day, he will be more fruitful than in the previous 3 years. Your commitment to making disciples should be even greater now. After all, you should be double grateful! 

Acts 4:8-13 

Peter has now become like Jesus in his life, preaching and boldness. There must be a radical difference in your character and heart from before you were a disciple, and since you fell away. Galatians 2:11-14 Peter was rebuked in front of the church. Look at his reaction. He was humble. He didn’t have an attitude, he didn’t argue, he wasn’t defensive. This is the same Peter who rebuked Jesus in front of all the disciples because he didn’t agree with Jesus. No matter how you are treated by others, you can never leave God and the church again. You might disagree, but your attitude needs to be like that of the restored Peter, humble, without arguing or getting defensive. 

2 Peter 2:20-22 

It is worse to know the truth and fall away than to never have known the truth. A powerful scripture made even more powerful by the fact that it is written by Peter. Look at the power of Peter’s restoration. He never looked back. This is it. If you really love Jesus and want to follow him, you need to come back better than before – as the Peter of Acts, not the Peter of the gospels.