Verses Used:
- Matthew 11:28
- Hebrews 12:11
- Genesis 2:1-3
- Isaiah 40:28
- Exodus 20:8-11
- Deuteronomy 5:15
- Exodus 31:13
- Colossians 2:16-17
- Mark 1:35
- Luke 5:16
- Matthew 11
Takeaways:
God Rested - Creation
- Adam and Eve’s first full day of life was not a work day - it was a rest day.
- Humanity was created to live from enjoyment, not from exhaustion.
Sabbath is Given - Israel’s Rest
- By the people of Israel keeping this rhythm they were acknowledging the God who made them and living his intended pattern.
- Rest is a blessing to them as free people.
- Slaves don’t get days off - free people do. Sabbath is not a burden, it’s a gift.
- Most of us live like this: Work all week… collapse at the end. Repeat.
Jesus and Rest
- Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.
- Circumcision and Sabbath were covenant signs with God.
- Jesus models rest. He shows us, rest in not escape. Rest is return to relationship with God.
- Rest is not just a day. It’s a person. His name is Jesus and we are invited to be with him.
Bringing It All Together
- Making space to be with Jesus by pausing from the grind of life. From doing to being, from control to trust, and from striving to abiding.
- Rest reminds us: I am a beloved child before I am a productive worker. Make the shift from doing to being.
- Rest is releasing control. Rest is trusting that God is at work even when I am not. Make the shift from control to trust.
- Rest is not laziness. It is returning to the Father and living from Jesus’ finished work. Make the shift from striving to abiding.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think so many people are pushing themselves to the brink of burnout in our world?
- What are your thoughts on the Sabbath that God gave to the people of Israel?
- Which of those three shifts do you feel strongest need to embrace? Doing to being, control to trust, or striving to abiding? Why?
- What makes it difficult to rest; to practice this spiritual discipline?
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