Discussion Guide — Exodus 20:8-11

Each week, these sermon discussion guides are made available to help you engage the sermon text more fully. For those in a small group, this is what your group will use as its jumping-off point. You are also encouraged to use this in the context of your own home, whether personally or as a family, as you seek to apply the message to your life.

Sermon Summary: Exodus 20:8-11

Main Ideas

I. Take Off What is Natural

II. Put on What is Beneficial

III. Share What’s Been Gifted

Application Points

I. Nothing asked of us by God will lack His provision

II. Our sin tendency is to feel left behind to work harder, and unable to rest

III. God gave us the Sabbath for our benefit

IV. Our actions towards the Sabbath do influence those around us

V. Our best rest is ahead of us and was purchased for us on the Cross

Quotes

"Sabbath is that uncluttered time and space in which we can distance ourselves from our own activities enough to see what God is doing." — Eugene Peterson

"The charge of keeping the Sabbath is more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors, because they are bound not only to keep it themselves, but to see that it be observed by all those that are under their charge; and because they are prone ofttimes to hinder them by employments of their own." — Westminster Larger Catechism 118

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." — Matthew 11:28-30

Questions for Personal Response

1. Can you think of a situation or time in life that you feel like God did not provide for you? Do you struggle to trust God’s provisions and promises because of this?

2. Where do you find yourself justifying yourself by working harder and unable to rest?

3. What do you need? What do you want? What keeps you from contentment?

4. How does our spiritual Sabbath mirror worldly rest? Does it differ?

5. What Scriptures or Biblical truths do you lean upon for confirmation of rest?