Rhythms • Part 3

Have you ever found yourself in a rat race? Feeling like you are constantly running? Thinking this is the only way to make progress? So many of us don’t realize that God wired us for rest, and he teaches us the importance of rest. It’s only in this rhythm of rest that God restores our strength, replenishes what is empty, and refocuses our minds on what’s most important. This week we will look at how God speaks to a group of people that are running, and running, and running. They are tired! He wants to teach them the rhythm of rest.

1. What point or thought stood out to you as you reflect on this week’s message?
2. Pastor James shared about teaching his girls to drive. Share one of your wildest “learning how to drive” stories.
3. If resting on the Sabbath restores, replenishes, and refocuses our lives, how is it different from escaping simply to just get away?
4. Read Deuteronomy 5:12-14. The Sabbath was not given to the people of God to obey simply to make God happy. The Sabbath was not a punishment meant to test your ability to submit to God. What’s your understanding of what the Sabbath is for? Why don’t we talk much about the Sabbath in our modern-day culture?
5. God is saying to you, “I want you to realize that you can rest in life. I want you to live in the rhythm of rest.” On a scale of 1 to 10, how good are you at doing that?
6. Read Deuteronomy 5:15. Why would Moses call the people to remember their time as slaves? Who is a slave reliant upon for everything in their lives? Can a slave simply choose to take a day off?
7. We don’t see many “slaves” in our culture today. Yet many of us have voluntarily become slaves. What are some of the things that we have allowed ourselves to become enslaved to?
8. Fear is a merciless taskmaster. Fear will keep taunting you to work harder, work longer, run faster, don’t stop, don’t slow down... or else! Of the four fears that Pastor James mentioned (fear of missing out, fear of falling short, fear of being real, fear of losing control), is there one that enslaves you more than the others? Why do you think that is?
9. When it comes to the Sabbath, we only have two choices: either God is good and in control so you can rest, or it all depends on you so you just keep running. Can you trust that God is in control today? What can your group do to help you rest?
10. Pastor James said that Sabbath REST allows us to: refocus on what’s important, enjoy what is life-giving, seek God’s presence, and trust God’s got it. Can you make a commitment to take one day a week to REST?