Series: Renew Title: The Source of Sabbath
Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:3, Exodus 31:12-17, Psalm 116:7, Matthew 11:28-30
Supplemental: Exodus 20:8-10, Leviticus 19:3, 30; 23:3-4; 26:2; Numbers 28:9; Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Why rest?
God did and God commands it.
He knows that we need to catch our breath.
In the story of creation, God worked hard for 6 days and then rested and caught his breath on the seventh (Genesis 1:24-2:3).
It was the only day that he declared as holy (2:3).
In the establishment of his people, He gave Sabbath day rest as a covenant sign between Him and his community (Exodus 31:12-17).
The Sabbath is a day
to rest from work (Exodus 34:21, 35:2-3),
to gather for worship (Leviticus 19:3, 30, 23:3-4)
and to remember that God is the one who makes us, frees us and sanctifies us.
But as humans we struggle to rest and catch our breath.
That’s why it’s important to do what Psalm 116:7 says:
“Return to your rest, my soul;
for the Lord has been good to you.”
It is impossible to find that true rest without finding it in Jesus.
As He said, “Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.”
Reflection Questions:
Read Psalm 116:7. Begin with silence, meditating on a word or phrase from that verse.
Do a quick “sabbath audit” of your life.
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being “exhausted” and 10 being “refreshed” how “rested” are you in this season?
Looking over your schedule of the last month, how did you make space for rest?
Read Genesis 1:24-2:3. Make a list of all that God did on those days.
What do you notice as different between what God did on Day 6 and on Day 7?
Ask the Lord to draw your attention to a word, phrase or verse in Exodus 31:12-17. What does this tell you about the importance of Sabbath in the life of God and His people?
Why would it be important for a community to “know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy?” Connect this to Genesis 2:3, when God made the 7th day holy.
While we live under the new command of Jesus to love God and love others (Matt 22:37-38, John 13:34-35) and not under the law to execute Sabbath violators (Exodus 31:14), how does regular violation of Sabbath keeping do damage to our souls or impact our community?
What is one thing you can do this week to slow down and rest in God?
Close in prayer. Read Matthew 11:28-30. As you pray, name where you need rest and what burdens you need to lay at His feet.
Daily Reading
In this first week of our Renew Series on Sabbath, we are covering some of the Old Testament passages that lay out the heart of Sabbath.
Each day before reading take a moment to read Psalm 116:7. And at the conclusion of the reading, hear Jesus’ invitation to rest in Him from Matthew 11:28-30
Monday: Psalm 116:7; Genesis 1:24-2:3; Matthew 11:28-30
Tuesday: Psalm 116:7; Exodus 23:10-12, 31:12-17; Matthew 11:28-30
Wednesday: Psalm 116:7; Exodus 34:21, 35:103; Matthew 11:28-30
Thursday: Psalm 116:7; Leviticus 19:3, 30, 23:3-4; Matthew 11:28-30
Friday: Psalm 116:7; Leviticus 26:2; Numbers 28:9; Matthew 11:28-30