Verses Used:

Takeaways:

God Rested - Creation

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?