Core 52 | Week 29 | Rest
November 9, 2022

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On the sixth day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. —Genesis 2:2


“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30


Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath, so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:27-28


If with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? —Colossians 2:20-21


SESSION VIDEO :: REST (Mark Moore)


Key Points

  1. Sabbath rest was instituted in Eden as part of the order of creation.

  2. Jesus claimed authority over the Sabbath to restore its *true purpos*e.

  3. Legalism makes the Sabbath a burden, not a blessing.



FOR REFLECTION

  1. When is the last time you fully unplugged and took some intentional down time for yourself and/or your family?

  2. Define sabbath as a group.

  3. In your weekly rhythm, do you typically have what you would consider a consistent sabbath?

  4. Take out a piece of paper. On each of the four margins, write one of these words: work, family, finances, emotions/stress. Ask each person to fold each edge to represent how much margin they have in each of these four areas of their lives.

  5. What kind of rest recharges you?

  6. How can rest become an idol? What is the balance between pushing ourselves to serve God vs. trying to carve out rest whenever we can?

  7. How is spiritual rest different from physical rest? Both are good and important. In your life, which are you succeeding with and how are you struggling to prioritize the other?

  8. How do you need to “come to Jesus” to find rest (Matthew 11:28)?

  9. Share some ways you have made rest a rhythm. Be specific with habits and behaviors that turn your attention toward God and family.



ACTION STEP

Tell the group your plan to create a more effective sabbath. Hold each other accountable.


WEDNESDAY
Read the essay.


THURSDAY
Memorize Mark 2:27-28.


FRIDAY
Read Mark 2–3.


MONDAY
Meditate on Genesis 2:2; Matthew 11:28–30; Colossians 2:20–21.


TUESDAY
Friends and family can read us better than we can read ourselves. Ask them where in your life you need to rest. Inform them of your intention to practice Sabbath in a practical way, and let them hold you accountable.


OVERACHIEVER CHALLENGE
Memorize Colossians 2:20–21.


BONUS READ
Richard Swenson, Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives.