Part 3 – Rest for the Restless
Discussion 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
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?