The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness by Tim Chester
Week 8: Chapter 7 — Busyness and Sloth
Read Chapter 7 of The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness. Key passages to consider: Proverbs 6:6-11; Colossians 3:23-24.
Previewing Week 8 of The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 11-week guide when you’re ready.
In one of his most counterintuitive moves, Chester argues that busyness and sloth — far from being opposites — are often two sides of the same coin. Come ready to have your categories rearranged.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Chester's argument that busyness and sloth can coexist seems paradoxical at first. What does he mean? How can a person be both frantically busy and deeply slothful at the same time?
2.He suggests that sloth, classically understood, is not laziness but a failure to do what you actually ought to do — and that busyness with the wrong things can be a form of that failure. Does that reframe the concept of sloth helpfully for you? What 'right things' might your busyness be crowding out?
3.Chester draws attention to the person who is busy with good things but avoids the most important ones — prayer, Scripture, deep relationships, the wellbeing of their family. Can you identify any 'good thing avoidance' in your own life?
a.What is the most important thing in your life that consistently gets crowded out by busyness?
b.What would need to change structurally — not just in your heart but in your actual schedule — to protect that thing?