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SABBATH WORSHIP REFLECTION:
Reflecting on 'ish':
"What are some ways you’ve noticed Sabbath becoming ‘Sabb-ish’ in your life? How do you think we can avoid turning it into just another day off, instead of a day set apart for God?"
Exploring the concept of Sabbath as a holy day:
"How do you understand the idea of Sabbath as a 'holy day'—a day set apart for God? What might it look like for us to truly make room for God on this day, and how does this challenge our current rhythms?"
Rest and renewal:
"The practice of Sabbath is meant to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. In what areas of your life do you feel the need for this kind of rest? What’s one step you could take this week to cultivate rest in your life?"
Worship as the heart of Sabbath:
"When you think of worship during Sabbath, what comes to mind? How can you engage in worship during this time, not just through music but in ways that bring you closer to God and reorder your heart?"
SERIES REFLECTIONS:
Sabbath as a transformative practice:
"Looking back over the past few weeks, how has your understanding of Sabbath changed? What’s one thing that stood out to you the most about how Sabbath can transform our lives?"
Stop, Rest, Delight, Worship:
"As we’ve explored the four key movements of Sabbath (stop, rest, delight, worship), which movement have you found the most challenging, and which one has been the most life-giving? Why?"
Sabbath and community:
"How do we continue to engage with this practice together? How do we actually embed this into our 'Rule of Life' and not just check the box of having 'talked' about it?
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Restlessness & Desire
Where in your life do you feel the pull of "more, more, more"? How does it affect your sense of satisfaction or rest?
How have you experienced the "wheel of suffering" (craving and aversion) in your own life? What are some examples where pursuing desires or escaping fears hasn’t brought you peace or rest?
The Resistance of Sabbath
What are the external resistances (cultural forces, societal pressures) that make practicing Sabbath difficult for you?
Reflecting on the idea that "Sabbath is an act of resistance," what does it mean to resist the patterns of work, consumerism, and distraction in our culture?
Have you ever experienced internal resistance (such as reluctance or a push-pull dynamic) when trying to practice rest or Sabbath? What might God be inviting you to surrender in those moments?
Sabbath as Freedom
What does it mean to you that through Sabbath, we are reminded, "You are not a slave anymore"?
In what ways can Sabbath practice help you embrace the freedom you have in Christ, especially in relation to working, consuming, and performing?
Practical Reflection on the Sabbath
What areas of your life do you find hardest to “rest” from (work, chores, digital distractions, etc.)?
Have you considered creating space for joy, delight, and intentional worship during your Sabbath? What could that look like for you?
Reflection Questions from the End of the Message
Where are you most tired? Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. What is the greatest drain on your energies?
What is the strongest force of resistance in your life, external or internal, that attempts to keep you from Sabbath rest?
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1. As we begin the Practice of Sabbath this week – we want to invite you to spend some time talking about what you are thinking and feelings as we lean into this practice:
- What's your current understanding of the Sabbath?
- Is the Sabbath a part of your life currently or not?
- What thoughts and feelings do you have going into the Sabbath practice?
- What obstacles seem to stand in the way of us experiencing the type of sabbath rest that God desires for us?
2. Jesus invites those who are "weary and burdened" to find rest in Him. Do you feel weary in any areas of your life? How could Sabbath and following Jesus' rhythms of grace bring peace to your soul?
3. What does the idea of Sabbath being a "way of being" rather than just a day of rest mean to you? How could you bring that spirit of restfulness into the other days of the week?
4. Sabbath is an opportunity to remember that we are loved by God, not defined by our work. How might the practice of Sabbath help you reframe your identity?
5. As a group, how can we encourage one another to adopt the practice of Sabbath this week? What practical steps can we take to create space for God’s presence in our lives?
Week 1 Invitations:
- Pick a time to Sabbath and give it a try.
- Pick a beginning and ending ritual.
- Pick 1 to 3 Sabbath activities
6. Each week, we encourage you to reflect on these 3 questions as you 'try on' the practice of Sabbath...(may or may not be appropriate this week - depending on when your group meets)
- Where did I feel resistance?
- Where did I feel delight?
- Where did I most experience God's nearness?
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1. As we begin the Practice of Sabbath this week – we want to invite you to spend some time talking about what you are thinking and feelings as we lean into this practice:
- What's your current understanding of the Sabbath?
- Is the Sabbath a part of your life currently or not?
- What thoughts and feelings do you have going into the Sabbath practice?
- What obstacles seem to stand in the way of us experiencing the type of sabbath rest that God desires for us?
2. Jesus invites those who are "weary and burdened" to find rest in Him. Do you feel weary in any areas of your life? How could Sabbath and following Jesus' rhythms of grace bring peace to your soul?
3. What does the idea of Sabbath being a "way of being" rather than just a day of rest mean to you? How could you bring that spirit of restfulness into the other days of the week?
4. Sabbath is an opportunity to remember that we are loved by God, not defined by our work. How might the practice of Sabbath help you reframe your identity?
5. As a group, how can we encourage one another to adopt the practice of Sabbath this week? What practical steps can we take to create space for God’s presence in our lives?
Week 1 Invitations:
- Pick a time to Sabbath and give it a try.
- Pick a beginning and ending ritual.
- Pick 1 to 3 Sabbath activities
6. Each week, we encourage you to reflect on these 3 questions as you 'try on' the practice of Sabbath...(may or may not be appropriate this week - depending on when your group meets)
- Where did I feel resistance?
- Where did I feel delight?
- Where did I most experience God's nearness?