The first objective of this project was to assess the understanding of the Sabbath rest among the congregation. Teaching on the subject of the Sabbath rest was easily incorporated into the service of the church. New Work Fellowship families struggled with the lack of a rhythm of work and rest based on the biblical understanding and practice of Sabbath rest.
The context of ministry at the New Work Fellowship in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, clearly suggested the need for a project on the biblical understanding and practice of Sabbath rest in church families. Second, because there was clear teaching about Sabbath rest, the families of the New Work Fellowship were enabled to develop the practice of Sabbath rest. The analysis of the congregation survey provided an accurate picture of the understanding and practice of Sabbath rest among the families of the New Work Fellowship.
The practice of Sabbath rest is crucial for incorporating a healthy cycle of work and rest into an individual's life. First, an exegesis of Genesis 1:1-2:3 shows the foundation of the Sabbath rest in the creation account.
The Foundation of Sabbath Rest in the Creation AccountRest in the Creation Account
The pagan view of humanity's purpose was that humans were created for the purpose of working for the gods.4 The Biblical view of humanity's purpose is to be in relationship with God the Creator and to serve him in his work as stewards of creation. The first words of the Bible are: “In the beginning God created.” The first thing the Bible teaches about the creator is that God works. In summary: the term "the image of god" in the culture and language of the ancient Near East in the fifteenth century BC.
He blesses the fish of the sea, people, and then finally the seventh day itself.11. Gentry, "Kingdom through Covenant: Humanity as the Divine Image," The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 12, no. If God's only intention in creating the world was to work, produce and be fruitful, the creation account would end here, but continue: “The heavens and the earth were finished, and all their hosts.
The focus of the passage is still the same as Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God." The focus is still God and what he is doing. Practicing a weekly rhythm of work and rest is beneficial for humanity as part of the created order and as stewards of creation. 16.
God’s Model for the Practice of Sabbath Rest Practice of Sabbath Rest
They were required to produce bricks every day of the week: “So go now and work; for you will not be given straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks" (Exodus 5:18) The nature of this quota is described in the following verse: "The leaders of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble, for it was said to them: 'Do not diminish your daily supply of bricks'” (Exodus 5:19, emphasis added) There is no indication that the Israelites were given any time to rest, but they were required to produce a quota of seven bricks. days a week. A pattern for Sabbath rest appears in Exodus 16 that mirrors God's creative work and rest in Genesis 1:1-2:4. The Israelites were to gather for six days and rest from their gathering on the seventh day:.
Like the Israelites, God's people today must observe a regular rhythm of work and rest. God's people today can benefit from the principle of incorporating Sabbath rest into a rhythm of work and rest. The creation account in Genesis 1:1-2:4 shows that God's rhythm of work and rest consists of six days of work and rest on the seventh.
God's model for the Sabbath rest is much more than a system of rules to be followed. At first, some Israelites choose to trust their instincts rather than God's call to enter the Sabbath rest.
Christians Are Not Bound to the Mosaic Laws Concerning Sabbath the Mosaic Laws Concerning Sabbath
The apostles cast off the yoke of the law for Gentile believers, claiming that their hearts were cleansed by faith in Christ.29 This freedom still has a solid biblical standard by which to live. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Gentile believers are freed from the burden of the law and given wider boundaries to live by.30 This decision embodies the freedom that Christ taught in reference to the law. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans.
Regarding Paul's understanding of the law and its fulfillment, Schreiner says that Paul believed that Sabbath rest should not be required for Gentile believers. The apostles' intent when it came to the Gentiles' observance of the law was to set people free and not to bind them. It would have been too much of a burden for non-Jewish believers to conform to all the oral traditions surrounding the Sabbath.
By speaking of the "yoke" of the law, he did not mean that the law was an intolerable burden that Jewish Christians must abandon. Just as the creation account in Genesis shows a clear picture of God's own rhythm of work and rest, and Exodus 16 creates a model by which God's people can join God in the Sabbath rest, Acts 15:28-29 establishes that Christians are free in Christ and not bound by the yoke of the law.
Sabbath Rest: A Future Promise and a Present Reality Promise and a Present Reality
There is potential for the practice of a twenty-four hour Sabbath rest period. The first goal of the project was to administer a survey to the congregation to determine their understanding of the Sabbath rest. The second goal was to develop a four-week sermon series on the theme of Sabbath rest.
The four-week sermon series taught the congregation about the biblical concept of Sabbath rest. Week 1 of the sermon series introduced the congregation to the concept of Sabbath rest from Genesis 1:1. Week 2 of the sermon series introduced the congregation to the Sabbath rest model from Exodus 16.
The purpose of the small group curriculum was to teach that Christians should trust God and not resist the practice of Sabbath rest. The main truth of the study was that individuals could sometimes face challenges in the practice of Sabbath rest. Group members were challenged to continue a Sabbath rest time beyond small group study.
The analysis of the studies created a clear picture of the congregation's understanding of the Sabbath rest. The goal of developing an eight-week small group curriculum focusing on the practice of Sabbath rest was successful. Looking forward to a time of Sabbath rest encouraged them in the midst of a hard work week.
A time of Sabbath rest filled a real need in their lives and the lives of others in the small group. As mentioned, statistical analysis of pre- and post-study surveys showed an increase in the practice of Sabbath rest among group members. One man in the small group shared how his practice of Sabbath rest was a great blessing.
His wife did not attend the small group study but joined her husband in taking the Sabbath rest.
Would Do Differently
Introduction
- Poor Time Management
- Overwhelming busyness
- Pick a time. (Temple in time)
- Prepare for that time
- Structure that time
- Protect that time
- Is the believer bound to the Old Testament Sabbath laws? NO!
- How can I honor Christ in Sabbath rest?
- How do I rest in the Lord? (Heb 9:4-11)
- Hurry up! (v. 11)
Next week we will begin to look at how we can structure this time of Sabbath rest. Sabbath rest is a good way to regularly rest in God's sustaining work and let Him be in control. The Lord did not create a system of rules for the Israelites to follow regarding the Sabbath rest at this time.
A suggested model of Sabbath rest is one that can begin at dinner on Saturday and end at dinner on Sunday. The best reason to practice Sabbath rest is the fact that God himself did it. Sabbath rest is given to the church for the purpose of restoration, replenishment and rest in our relationship with the Lord.
One of the principles of Sabbath rest is that our work is more productive when we take time to rest as God commands. The physical results of the Sabbath rest will remain empty without a heart set on the Lord. If we can't get used to the thought of Sabbath rest here and now, what are we thinking.
When the biblical rhythm of work and rest is practiced, the Sabbath rest becomes the highlight of the week. Sabbath rest was given to us by God as an important part of the rhythm of our lives.
God Works
- Prepare for that time – What needs to happen in order for this time to be restful?
- Protect that time – No work. No distractions
Explain to the group that we can become weary if we resist the practice of Sabbath rest. Explain to the group the following important aspect of Sabbath rest: Sabbath rest is best practiced at home. The practice of Sabbath rest is a weekly time for the believer to let go of the pressures of the week and rest in the Lord.
Explain to the group that living without a Sabbath rest can leave an individual exhausted.
PARTICIPANT GUIDES
The practice of Sabbath rest is not based on a set of specific rules and regulations. What experience do you have with the practice of the Sabbath rest prior to this study. A life without Sabbath rest can cause us to miss out on meaningful experiences with the Lord.
The structure of our Sabbath rest time is important, but we rest for the purpose of rejoicing in the Lord. Next week we explore how a believer can honor Christ through the practice of Sabbath rest. Sabbath rest is also important, but can be practiced according to individual needs.