Part 3 – Rest for the Restless
Leader Guide
Our days are filled with so many things; even good, important, purposeful things. Yet our constant efforts and busyness—even for lovely things like parenting, providing well for our families, ministry, or service—do not restore us. We need rest and communion with our God to heal us and give us peace.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Are you the type of person who loves to have a “do nothing day” or is it impossible for you to sit down, relax, and let it all go? More specifically, can you leave the kitchen a mess or the yard unmown when you get overwhelmed?
2. Read Genesis 2:1-3. Why do you think God rested? Does it surprise you that God made the day holy because He rested?
Leader’s Note: In the previous chapter, Genesis 1, God had a daily rhythm of work, then review. You will notice that each day, “And God saw that it was good.” Now, at the end of His work, He rested, not because He needed rest, but because WE need rest. It is an example to us. He made the day holy for our benefit, to help us focus on rest and on Him and His great work.
3. Read Exodus 20:8-11. As one of the first Commandments, the Sabbath takes high priority in God’s estimation. It comes before Commandments against murder, lying, or stealing...the ones we think of as the BIG sins! Why do you think that is? What are you to do/not do on the Sabbath?
Leader’s Note: The first four Commandments focus on our relationship and responsibilities to worship and honor our God (no idols, don’t take His Name in vain, keep a Sabbath). Afterwards come laws that pertain to our relationships with others. If we honor and revere God and obey Him first, we will be positioned to act in love and respect with our neighbors, spouses, even enemies (as in the last six Commandments). Mostly, the Sabbath laws are about resting / no work. In addition, it is holy. So, for example, not working but watching a raunchy show is not keeping it holy. Take time to focus on God and how He has modeled rest for us and for our benefit.
4. Review these sentences and comment in your Life Group. “Make a choice to unplug from anything that causes you to stay connected to what has drained you for six days.” What would this be in your case? “Rest is not an enemy of your productivity, but a requirement for your productivity.” Have you found this to be true in your experience? Is rest and unplugging from the workday world hard for you?
Leader’s Note: There are consequences when we disobey God’s laws. So, not taking this commandment seriously also has repercussions in our lives, in our relationships, or in our health. Often, if we cannot slow down, God will allow sickness to slow us down! He wants us to be intentional about observing the Sabbath because it affects us if we do not take a respite and focus on Him.
5. Read Mark 2:27-28 and Hebrews 4:9-11. Do you think that the Sabbath is also a New Testament concept? What has changed from the Old Covenant to the New, based on these passages? How does this pertain to this statement: True rest begins with a relationship.
Leader’s Note: Instead of man being slave to hundreds of restrictions about how to observe the Sabbath, Jesus reframed the Sabbath as a blessing and benefit for us. And, since He is Lord of the Sabbath, He had the right to do away with all the superficial laws. But Jesus always took things up a notch. For example, not only can you not have an affair; you may not even think those thoughts without sin. So, according to Hebrews, we must really enter that rest and observe the Sabbath, or it is disobedience! The statement above highlights the difference between obeying the Law and seeking out the Lord.
6. Read Matthew 11:28-29 and Isaiah 44:22. So often, we think of God’s Commandment to observe the Sabbath as a burden, onerous and tedious. How do these verses reveal God’s intent and the blessing of obedience?
Leader’s Note: Jesus said His burden is light; it is easy; it gives rest for our souls. The Sabbath is not another burden for us to bear, but healthful to our bodies, minds, and spirits. God pleads with us to return to Him, because He has paid a great price to purchase our redemption and eternal peace.
Deeper
7. Read Psalm 23:1. How does David describe the Lord in this scripture? Do you see God the same way David does? How does Jesus describe Himself in John 10:14-15? In what area(s) do you need to let Jesus be your Shepherd? What burdens or needs does David have? In what areas do you trust Him to meet your needs, so that you are not in want? Meditate on this verse: 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Leader’s Note: David makes this opening statement personal by declaring not only is the Lord “the” shepherd but says He is “MY” shepherd. Early in his life, David was a shepherd. He then slayed Goliath and was hunted by King Saul of Israel, who was jealous of his success. For years, David was simply running from King Saul. He was surrounded by battle; his best friend killed on the battlefield. He had an affair, killed a man to cover it up, and lost a child at birth. David’s struggles go on and on, but he lacks nothing because he has the Lord as his shepherd. When we have needs, burdens, decisions, hurts, etc., we put our trust in Him because He is our shepherd. Our deepest needs will be met, burdens carried, decisions guided, and hurts healed. Jesus Himself is our Shepherd, our Peace, and our rest.
8. Read Psalm 23:2-3. How is David surrendering or submitting to God as his Shepherd in these verses? What does this tie in to the Commandment which tells us to observe a Sabbath? What does submitting to God’s commands lead to? How are you surrendering to God’s restoration in your life? What prevents you from being restored or refreshed by God? How do these same disciplines help you live a godly life?
Leader’s Note: God promises to provide us with good food and lead us to peace and rest. But we must follow Him. When we submit to his yoke and walk with Him, we are restored, made better than new. Observing the Sabbath and committing to a quiet time will help you hear solutions and solve your problems. This will bring you peace, also. This will also point you in the way God wants you to go, His godly way, the way of righteousness.
9. Read Psalm 23:4 and Acts 1:8. Why was David so confident to be able to make a bold claim? What could make someone so “comfortable” and at peace while going through such a dark season? How can we learn to live more like David, with such a sense of childlike faith as he had in God? What is the “gift” of more power, confidence, and the presence of God for believers today?
Leader’s Note: David had walked through such difficult times. He had been in dark seasons and walked through the valley. However, even with those low times, he was still able to trust God and allow God to comfort him. He knew that his situation didn’t have to affect his peace; rather his peace came only from God. When we trust God and we allow our peace and confidence to come from Him with childlike faith, no matter what our situation looks like or the dark times we are in, He will protect us; if not physically, then we will be eternally alive with Him forever. Death is not the “end all” that we think of as humans. We can find spiritual rest in this! Because of Acts 1:8 and the gift and power of the Holy Spirit, New Testament believers (US!) should have even more confidence and power than David.
10. Read Psalm 23:5-6. What does David say will always prevail? Do you believe this? Why or why not? How has God “shown out” in your life in front of others? How does that allow you to be comforted by the Lord and put your trust in Him? What can you do this week to further trust God and allow Him to restore and satisfy you?
Leader’s Note: David says that goodness and mercy shall follow him and will always prevail. Having a heavenly focus can give us the right perspective on any situation we face. David has become extremely focused on what God has ahead for him. He constantly had darkness surrounding him, but he was still able to look to God. Instead of being focused on what is around him, he focuses on the table that God is preparing before him. He focuses on how God will gain glory, even amid enemies or an unbelieving world.