Culture treats busyness like a badge of honor, committing a day every week to intentional rest looks somewhere between irrational and insane. But when we remember Jesus has already done the work that matters most, our rest becomes worshipful, joyful, and the very thing we need.
SHARE
Do you Sabbath?
• If so, what does it look like?
• If not, why do you think that is?
How would you define Sabbath in your own words?
READ
23 On the Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to make their way, picking some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
25 He said to them, “Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry — 26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the bread of the Presence —which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests —and also gave some to his companions?” 27 Then he told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. 28 So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
3 Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a shriveled hand. 2 In order to accuse him, they were watching him closely to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 He told the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand before us.” 4 Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 After looking around at them with anger, he was grieved at the hardness of their hearts and told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against him, how they might kill him.
Sabbath is about satisfaction.
• Can you identify areas of your life where dissatisfaction may affect your desire to Sabbath?
Sabbath is about healing.
• Can you identify areas of your life where wounding inhibits your desire to Sabbath?
Sabbath is about giving ourselves permission to fail.
• Can you identify areas of your life where fear of failure affects your Sabbath rhythms?
PONDER
Read the following statements out loud and share with your DNA what your initial response is:
1. Work isn't primarily about a paycheck.
2. Work is a gift.
3. Work isn't a result of sin.
4. Joyful work comes from proper rest.
MAKE ROOM
1) Know Your Schedule | If someone were to look at your schedule what would they say is your first priority?
2) Know Yourself | Is Sabbath something that comes natural to you or not? Why do you think that is?
3) Know Your Savior | Where might your relationship with Jesus be lacking depth of joy because you skip Sabbath?
