January Series Study Guide - Day 21

Read Exodus 20:8-11, 23:10-12 & Mark 2:27-28

“Rest”

In the Bible when it talks about resting it often uses the term “Sabbath.” What a fascinating study I had looking at what the Bible said about rest and Sabbath. Sabbath is from Hebrew and it means simply to cease or to pause or to rest. So when we read in Genesis 2:1, after God had created everything in 6 days, then He Shabaths, He Sabbaths. On the 7th day God ceased from His creative work. He rests. And He makes the day holy. God didn’t rest because he was tired, but to give us an example to follow. In Exodus 20:8-11 God commands us to have a rest, a Shabath, a Sabbath too. As He rested on the 7th day, we are to follow His example and rest too. In Exodus 23:10-12 it says that the reason for Sabbath is that they may be refreshed. One of the purposes of rest is to bring us refreshment. What’s refreshing and restful to some may not necessarily be to others. So we have to be very careful in making hard and fast rules for everyone about what we can and can’t do to get rest and be refreshed. Jesus was hard on the Pharisees for this very reason. Lastly, think about this: taking rest show that we trust God. Some of you may be worried that you won’t get everything done if you take rest. You know what God says? “Try Me. Test Me. See if I’ll provide for you. Do things the way I tell you to do them, trust Me with the details, and just see how I will provide for you!”

Q: Why do you think God created people, animals & the land to need rest?

Q: Which is more difficult for you, work or rest? Why?

Q: Why does it take faith to rest? Is this a struggle for you? Why or why not?

Q: What refreshes you?

Q: Why is it important not to make a universal list of rules of what is & what is not acceptable as rest?

Q: How do you think taking regular rest might be an example to others of your love for Jesus? How can your rest impact others?