Strengthening the Family: Sabbatical Report

After a summer sabbatical focused on rest, renewal, and strengthening his family, Pastor Sebastiano returned with a testimony of God's faithfulness and a renewed sense of calling. Through time spent in Scripture, prayer, travel, family relationships, and simply slowing down, he discovered that being refreshed and refocused also meant being refined; recognizing that his spiritual disciplines and ministry activity had begun to replace rather than deepen his relationship with God. His challenge to the congregation was simple but profound: love God, love people, and be willing to say, "Send me" when God calls us to build loving, caring relationships within His church.

Group Discussion Questions:

1. When have you recently experienced a moment where you were especially aware of God's goodness?

2. What might change in our relationship with God if we intentionally slowed down enough to listen for Him rather than simply trying to accomplish more for Him?

3. As Isaiah became more aware of God's holiness and presence in Isaiah 6, he also became more aware of his own need for God. Sebastiano described a similar experience during his sabbatical, slowing down and becoming aware of areas where his relationship with God needed to be refined. As you become more aware of who God is, what might He be revealing about you?

4. Sebastiano ultimately reduced his challenge to two things: "Love God, love people." What would those two things look like in your life right now?

5. If you were to sincerely pray Isaiah's prayer, "Here I am. Send me," what might God be sending you to do in this season of your life?