Choosing Life: The Faithful Practice of Saying Yes and No

Today, we gathered as a community that strives to be radically inclusive, making space for every person to encounter the unconditional love of God. We remembered that our mission is to create safe spaces to grow with God and with one another, whether we are worshiping in person or online. We honored our veterans, recognizing their service and rededicating ourselves to the work of peace. We also took time to remember those we miss, reflecting on how love is shown in the everyday moments and how the qualities of those we love remain with us.

As we enter a season filled with busyness and invitations, we are invited to consider the spiritual practice of saying yes and saying no. Drawing from Moses’ words to the Israelites in Deuteronomy, we are reminded that we have a choice: to choose life or to be swept along by the demands and distractions of the world. Moses’ call to “choose life” is not a one-time decision, but a daily, lived-out practice. It is about intentionally ordering our lives around God’s presence, so that our yeses and nos are rooted in love, faithfulness, and trust.

We are not machines created for endless productivity; we are people created for connection—with God, with others, and with ourselves. Saying no is not about rejecting good things, but about protecting our humanness and making space for what is truly life-giving. Like pruning a garden, we must sometimes lovingly say no so that something else can grow—whether that’s deeper relationships, quiet moments with God, or simply the ability to notice the sacred in the ordinary.

To discern what deserves our yes, we can ask: Does this draw me closer to God? Does this deepen my relationships? Does this bring me life? There is a difference between busyness and fruitfulness, and God calls us to the latter. Every yes and every no shapes the life we live and the legacy we leave. May we have the courage to say no when needed, the wisdom to say yes when it matters, and the faith to trust that God is offering us a spacious, abundant life in every decision.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Saying No Protects Our Humanness Saying no is not simply about turning down opportunities; it is a spiritual act of protecting the space and energy needed for connection with God and others. In a culture that equates worth with productivity, learning to say no is a way to reclaim our identity as beloved children of God, not machines. This practice creates room for the sacred to emerge in our daily lives. [43:10]
• 2. Choosing Life Is a Daily Practice Moses’ call to “choose life” is not a one-time event but a continual, intentional rhythm of yes and no. Each day, we are invited to discern what leads us toward God and what distracts us. This daily practice shapes our character, our relationships, and our ability to notice God’s presence in the ordinary. [39:39]
• 3. Fruitfulness Over Busyness There is a profound difference between being busy and being fruitful. Busyness fills our schedules, but fruitfulness fills our souls and bears lasting impact. God calls us to lives that are not just full, but meaningful—rooted in love, compassion, and deep relationships. [49:15]
• 4. Discernment Through Sacred Questions Asking whether something draws us closer to God, deepens our relationships, or brings us life helps us discern what deserves our yes. These questions guide us away from automatic responses and toward intentional living, allowing us to align our choices with God’s invitation to abundant life. [51:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:10] - Radical Inclusion and Name Tags
• [05:30] - Online Community and Connection
• [08:00] - Question of the Day: What Do You Miss?
• [10:27] - Everyday Moments of Love
• [12:30] - Veterans Sunday Recognition
• [16:13] - Prayers and Community Support
• [18:00] - Introduction to Spiritual Practices Series
• [36:22] - The Busyness of the Holiday Season
• [39:39] - Moses’ Call to Choose Life
• [43:10] - We Are Not Machines
• [46:13] - Pruning for Growth
• [49:15] - The Power of Intentional Yes
• [51:54] - Three Questions for Discernment
• [62:25] - Community Gratitude and Announcements
• [65:55] - Prayers for the World and Benediction
• [69:11] - Upcoming Events and Closing

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV)
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

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Observation Questions

1. According to Deuteronomy 30:15-20, what does Moses say is the key to life for the Israelites?
2. In the sermon, what are some examples given of things that can fill up our schedules but leave us feeling disconnected or tired? [[36:22]]
3. What does the pastor say is the difference between busyness and fruitfulness? [[49:15]]
4. What three questions does the pastor suggest we ask ourselves to help us discern what deserves our “yes”? [[51:54]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Moses frames the choice between life and death as something that must be made daily, not just once? [[39:39]]
2. The sermon says, “We are not machines… we were created for the sake of connection.” What does this mean about how God views our worth and purpose? [[43:10]]
3. How might saying “no” to certain good things actually be an act of faithfulness or spiritual growth? [[46:13]]
4. The pastor talks about “pruning” in our lives. What might be some things that need to be pruned in order for us to experience deeper connection with God and others? [[46:13]]

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to consider what we always say “yes” to, sometimes without thinking. What is one thing you tend to say “yes” to automatically, and how does it affect your connection with God or others? [[36:22]]
2. When you look at your current schedule or commitments, are there things that fill your time but don’t actually bring you life or draw you closer to God? What might it look like to say “no” to one of these this week? [[49:15]]
3. The pastor suggests asking, “Does this draw me closer to God? Does this deepen my relationships? Does this bring me life?” Think of a recent decision you made—how would it have changed if you had asked these questions first? [[51:54]]
4. In what ways do you feel pressure to be productive or to please others, and how does that impact your spiritual life? [[43:10]]
5. The sermon compares saying “no” to pruning a garden so something else can grow. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to lovingly say “no” so that something more meaningful can grow? What would that look like? [[46:13]]
6. The pastor says, “We don’t drift into a life of prayer… we have to choose it.” What is one small, intentional “yes” you can make this week to nurture your relationship with God? [[49:15]]
7. How can our group support each other in making wise choices about what we say “yes” and “no” to, especially as we enter a busy season? [[51:54]]

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