If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion.  Here is a printable version.

Being busy defines our culture  We greet one another with, "Are you keeping busy?"  Our society seems to be built on the cultural lie that busy is better.  We use convenient lies to justify our busyness.  how often do we say, "There's just not enough time to do everything" or wish for just one more hour in our day?  Do we justify our busyness with, "It's just a busy season I'm in right now?"  Or do we add more to our schedule by saying, "But, this is really important"?  These are lies that keep us from seeing that busy is not better.  Choosing better is better.  This study will help us identify the pattern of busyness that gets us into trouble and then provide suggestions for taking action that will replace our busyness with peace by choosing what is better.

Open your group with a prayer.

This in only a guide:  Pick and choose your point.  

Pattern of Busyness

1.  Begins with Good Intentions
Psalm 127:2 - In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves. 
What is vain, according to Psalm 127:2?  ________________________________________________________
   *  How can good intentions keep us from serving God?  _______________________________________
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Luke 10:38 - As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
How was Martha serving God in Luke 10:38?  ____________________________________________________
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   *  Why should we check our intentions when we serve God?  __________________________________
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2.  It Moves to Distractions
Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.  
What does Proverbs 21:5 state as the outcome of those who hasten?  __________________________
   *  How can we keep from hurrying?  ___________________________________________________________
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Luke 10:40 - But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"
What was the result of Martha's many preparations, according to the first part of Luke 10:40?  
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   *  Discuss how preparations can become distractions.  _______________________________________
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3.  Then Pressure and Pity Arrive
Luke 10:40 - But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"
What is Martha's focus, according to her question in Luke 10:40?  ______________________________
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     *  What would be a better focus for Martha?  ________________________________________________
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4.  Then it Turns to Resentment
Ecclesiastes 4:6 - Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.  
What does Ecclesiastes 4:6 state is better than two handfuls?  __________________________________
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     *  How can pressure cause resentment and make you lose God's peace?   __________________
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Luke 10:41-42 - "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
How did Martha feel according to Luke 10:41-42?  _______________________________________________
     *  What warning signs should we look for to avoid becoming resentful?  ______________________
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ACTIONS TO TAKE
1.  Confess the Lie
Ephesians 5:15 - Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise.
According to Ephesians 5:15, how are we to live?  ________________________________________________
     *  Describe some of the characteristics of a life lived wisely.  __________________________________
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     *  Why is it important that each person evaluate his/her own life in the light of God's Word?
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2.  You Name the Distractions
Galatians 1:10 - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Read Galatians 1:10.  Whose approval are we to seek?  __________________________________________
     *  How can seeking the approval of men cause distractions in life?  ___________________________
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    *  What things can we do daily to minimize distractions?  _____________________________________
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3.  You Choose What is Better?
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
What does Matthew 11:28-30 tell us to do?  _____________________________________________________
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     *  What troubles might we have if we don't pause and ask God for direction in our decisions?   _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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     *  Describe some obstacles to knowing what is better and doing what is better.  _____________
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To Do This I've Got to Answer...
     a.  What's My Standard For What is Better?  __________________________________________________
  *  How does a person's choice of standards affect their life?  _____________________________
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     b.  Am I Making My Choices by That Standard?  ______________________________________________
1 Thessalonians 2:4 - On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.  
Who do we strive to please, according to 1 Thessalonians 2:4?  _________________________________
         *  How can using God's standard improve our lives?  ______________________________________
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        c.  What Do I Need to Choose to Say "No" to Today?  This Week?  This Month?  This Year?
Job 14:5 - Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.  
What does Job 14:5 have to say about limits?  ___________________________________________________
     *  Why do we say "Yes," when we really should say "No"?  ____________________________________
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d.  How Do I Choose to Refuel When I'm Empty?  
Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak  30  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.  
In Isaiah 40:28-31, how is God described?  What does he give to the weary?  ____________________
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     *  What are some indicators that a person is running on empty?  _____________________________
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     *  Discuss the impact culture might have on encouraging people to run on empty.  __________
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Busyness can lead to making poor decisions  What standard do you base your decisions on?  Make time to study God's Word to provide a solid basis for your choices.  Join with a partner to encourage each other and provide accountability for your decisions.  
Personal Applications and Commitment:
We have accepted a busy life as normal.  When we are busy our soul dries up and our lives are empty; then we make ourselves busier trying to fill the emptiness.  Can you imagine your life at a pace that is refreshing, with no pressure, and having margin for relationships?  A life where you have time to do what matters; where you do things because you desire to do them, not out of obligation?  Make a list of all that is on your calendar or "to do" list this week.  Identify which items you think are important and which you might consider distractions.  Now, slow down, present your list to God in prayer, and ask him what His priorities are for your week.  Be still and listen for His answer.  You can experience the fullness of what God created you for by following God's plan for your life!