Week of 3/8/26: Returning To the One Who Truly Satisfies

SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Rooted in Repentance
Weekly Theme: Be the Church - Returning To the One Who Truly Satisfies
Weekly Fast: A Strong Desire
Sermon Text: Acts 5:17-42
Primary Reading: Luke 13-24
Kids’ Readings (Jesus Storybook Bible): Filled Full! (John 6:1-15), Treasure Hunt! (Matthew 13:44)
Memory Verses (Through April 4th): Psalm 51:1–4 (ESV)
 [1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
 [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
 [3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 
 [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
  so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 

1 | Theme Reflection - “Returning To the One Who Truly Satisfies”
Some desires are good and God-given. Others are loud, insistent and strangely exhausting. They pull our attention, shape our choices and subtly convince us that life will be fuller if we just have one more thing.

But repentance is not merely turning from sin - it is turning toward the God who gives Himself without measure.

In Luke 13–24, Jesus meets people whose desires compete for their devotion: the rich ruler longing for security, the crowds longing for signs, the disciples longing for greatness. Again and again, Jesus gently but clearly redirects their hunger:
“Seek first the kingdom of God… and all these things will be added to you.”

In Acts 5:17–42, the apostles face pressure, opposition, even imprisonment. Yet nothing satisfies them more than being counted worthy to bear witness to Christ. Their desires have been reordered around a greater treasure - Christ Himself.

To Be the Church - Rooted in Repentance is to loosen our grip on lesser desires so that the true Desire of our souls may take His rightful place. Fasting from a strong desire helps us remember:

What we want most is not always what we need most.

And the Savior we need most is the King who meets us with grace.

2 | Daily Reading Rhythm

3 | Practice of the Week - A Fast from a Strong Desire
This week we fast from one strong desire - something we really want, reach for, or rely on for comfort (a favorite snack, a daily indulgence, extra screen time, caffeine, etc.). The point is not punishment but re-training desire.
Every time you feel the pull, pray:
“Jesus, be my satisfaction. Reorder my desires around You.”
Why a Fast from A Strong Desire for Adults?
Whether it’s caffeine, vices, comfort food, or entertainment, fasting from a strong desire teaches us self-control and reveals what competes for our affection for God.
Scripture
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control…” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Reflection
What desire might have a strong hold on my life? How can this fast help me seek God first?
Encouragement
When you feel the pull of your desire, let it turn you toward the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Prayer
Lord, You alone are my greatest desire.
Help me loosen my grip on the things of this world.
Teach me self-control and draw me closer to Your heart through this fast. Amen.
4 | Family Guide - Helping Kids Engage the Fast
Why a Fast from a Strong Desire for Families?
We all have things we want - snacks, toys, activities, or screen time. Desire is not wrong, but it can take up too much space in our hearts. Jesus teaches us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
This fast helps families practice putting God first.
Ideas for Kids

  • Each family member chooses one thing they really want but will give up for a short time to focus on Jesus.

  • Talk with your kids about how Jesus provides what we need even when we give up something we want.

  • When kids feel the pull of desire, encourage them to pray:
    “Jesus, help me want You most.”

Kid’s Prayer
God, You are better than anything I want. Help me to love You more than my favorite things and trust that You give me everything I need. Amen.
Conversation Starters

  • Is there something you really want that you could give up for a little while?

  • How does it feel to let go of something you really want?

  • What does Jesus promise to give us when we put Him first?

    5 | Doctrinal Focus - Christ our Treasure
    Repentance does not diminish desire - it purifies it.
    The gospel redirects our hunger toward the only One who satisfies eternally.
    To confess Christ as Lord is to confess that He is our true treasure, worth more than every lesser want.

    “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19–21.

    Rightly ordering Christ as our treasure helps us to see every other good gift God has given to us in the right light. We grow in being thankful and enjoying every good gift from God without elevating it to the place of an idol.

    6 | Missional Focus - Simplicity for the Sake of Love
    Every desire we surrender creates margin - for increased love of God, His church and our neighbors.
    This week, consider:
    Who might the Spirit be inviting you to bless with the time, resources or attention freed by your fast?
    Simplicity is not simply subtraction - it is redirection toward others. 
    7 | Community Group Discussion Questions
    From the Sermon (Text - Acts 5:17-42)
        1. How does the apostles’ joy in suffering reveal reordered loves?
        2. What does their courage teach us about where true satisfaction is?
    From the Readings
        1. Where do you see Jesus confronting misplaced desires in Luke 13–24?
        2. What contrasts does Jesus draw between earthly treasure and the kingdom?
    From Personal Reflection
        1. Which desires compete most often for your attention or affection?
        2. How might fasting help reorder those desires toward Christ?
    From Community Life
        1. How can we help one another practice contentment and simplicity?
        2. What examples of Christ-centered desire have you seen in our group?
    Questions for Children
        1. Who gives us everything we need?
        2. Why can it be good to give up something we really want for a little while?
        3. What does Jesus promise to give us when we put Him first?
    8 | Closing Prayer
    Lord Jesus,
    Remind us that You are the One who truly satisfies us.
    Teach us this week through time in Your Word,
    Time in prayer, time communing with You.
    Satisfy me as I set aside a strong desire
    That I often reach to for satisfaction, or comfort.
    You are my treasure and our only lasting satisfaction.
    Turn me back to You again.
    Amen.