Worship & Exercise Combined: Pursue Communion

What message is on the Christian t shirt you wear when you workout? You may have heard sayings like, Jesus is my co-pilot, He is greater than I, More God Less Me, Faith it til you make it, or Know Jesus Know Peace – no jesus no peace. It’s good to “proclaim the good news” but we need to start with a foundation of pursuing and having a vibrant daily relationship with God. To truly combine worship and exercise you have to pursue communion.

As humans it’s healthy to be both alone and with others. Studies have been done and evidence shows that having quality solitary time and engaging frequently in good relationships each are important and satisfy our human need for connection. The Bible underscores that God designed us for both and says this about human connection:

It’s not good that man should be alone.
Encourage one another and build one another up.
Be a friend that loves and helps in times of adversity.
Use your freedom in Christ to love and serve others.

While you may often exercise alone, working out with someone, doing group exercise, playing a group sport or recreating with others has powerful benefits for you and gives you many opportunities to BE LIFE – the life of Christ to others. This is communion with others and it is most effective when you are in communion with God.

COMMUNION – “IN UNION” WITH GOD

The practice of communion (the taking of sacraments during a church worship service) gives you the opportunity to remember the words and actions of Jesus Christ when he was with his disciples during passover. Moreover, through communion we can reflect on the gracious act of Christ giving his life for the forgiveness of sins and our restoration of relationship with God. It is a time to ask for forgiveness of our sins and to be repentant as well as to receive God’s good gift to us.

The “practice of communion” can often be a profound but rather brief experience. However, God desires for your relationship with him to be continual – an ever meaningful influence in all you do and in who you are. Your time of physical exercise should not be excluded from being in the presence of God. Rather it can be a really dynamic time to strengthen your union with him. When you do that, you’ll likely find that being in God’s Spirit improves the outcomes of your physical fitness. While those outcomes are a great result, the real goal of communion is to hear and know God. That helps you to pay attention to God and adapt to God’s Spirit (2 upcoming session topics).

WAYS TO BE IN COMMUNION WITH GOD

Cast your cares, burdens and frustrations upon Christ.
Let God silence your noise.
Focus on the nature of God.
Ask God to strengthen your ability to listen.
Enjoy God’s presence.

EXPLORE MORE ABOUT COMMUNION AND EXERCISE

This Faith & Fitness Magazine article, Lift More With Christ, offers many details, testimonials, tips and more about making communion a worshipful part of your regular exercise.

SERMON-BASED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: FATHER FORGIVE THEM

Read Psalm 103:12 With his final words, Jesus offers an invitation for forgiveness. What does that invitation for forgiveness mean for us today?
Read Matthew 5: 43-44 In praying, "Father forgive them," Jesus provides an example for us to follow. How an we follow Jesus' example of forgiveness in our own relationships?