CONNECT:  How can you remind yourself of God’s rest this week?

WARM-UP  Question

1. Does our culture help or hinder us to have lives that include a regular rhythm of rest?
2. What do you find most challenging about having a regular pattern of rest? How can we address it?

READ Luke 6:1-2

1. What were Jesus and the disciples doing that was so offensive to the Pharisees?
2. Whilst the Pharisees may have been legalistic in their approach, how were they taking the idea of Sabbath much more seriously than we sometimes do?

READ Exodus 20:8-11

1. What are the features of this command that most stand out for you? Do you approach regular rest as more of command or a ‘suggestion’?
2. How is this command based upon the order of creation? What is significant for us about God resting?
3. What do you think is at the heart of disobeying the command to rest? How does rest increase our trust in God instead of ourselves?

READ Luke 6:3-5

1. Why does Jesus make reference to the incident of David in the Temple? What does it mean for Jesus to be the Lord of the Sabbath?
2. If Jesus is the ultimate person and place in whom we find rest, how should that be reflected in our lives?
3. What is your weekly day of rest and what is your pattern of rest? What most helps or hinders you in having a regular rhythm of rest? How do you think you can develop your pattern of rest?
4. If you’re in a particularly busy season of life, how can you ensure that this doesn’t become a way of life?
5. How is serving other people and connecting with other people part of your regular rhythm of rest? How does it help you rest?
6. How does growing in our satisfaction of Jesus’ finished work on the cross help us to rest even when we may not be satisfied with what we have done? What can you remind you of this daily?

APPLY: What is your regular pattern of rest? How can it reflect God’s desire for rest more?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Has Australia lost God and would it matter if we did? This week could you invite a friend, neighbour, colleague or family member along to our Public Lecture on Friday 2 August, 7PM? Register here.

Audio and Video 

• AUDIO: “Work and Rest” by David Bisgrove:
• AUDIO: “Work and Rest” by Tim Keller:

Other Helpful Resources

• “Created to Rest: The Art of Sabbath”
• “Making the Most of Rest” from St Helen’s Bishopsgate resources:
• “The Power of Deep Rest”
• “How to Embrace Rest When Work Never Ends”
• “Bring Back the Sabbath” by Judith Shulevtiz via the New York Times

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