Humans can’t survive (much less thrive) for very long with out rest. But rest is more than just getting some sleep. God has called us to a rhythm of rest that is essential for thriving.

What are some of your rhythms of rest?

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. —Genesis 2:1–3 (NLT)

What do you notice about rest in these verses?
In ways is Day 7 different than the other 6 days of creation?
Why do you think God rested?

What does it mean to rest?

In Hebrew, Sabbath means to “stop”. Stop the normal pace of life and connect with God. That’s what Sabbath is about.

How good would your family say you are at stopping your work?

Rest doesn’t just mean to stop… It also means to start something.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” —Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)

How can we get rest by taking up Jesus yoke?

If you follow Jesus through the Gospel accounts, you will often find him in rhythms of rest. And often those times of rest were also times of prayer.

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. —Luke 5:16 (NLT)

What is the correlation between rest and prayer?

In what ways will you find rest this week?