Part 01: Sabbath

Written By Fadi Salem

Sermon Summary

The message centers on Jesus’ invitation into Sabbath rest, not as a luxury or reward for hard work, but as a God-given rhythm woven into creation itself. This sermon confronts the cultural norm of overwork and the soul-level exhaustion so many carry through Scripture and Jewish history and rhythms of rest. Sabbath is God’s gift, meant to form us and free us, while leading us back to the shalom we were created for. From Genesis to Deuteronomy to the life of Jesus, this principle is consistent. God invites His people to stop, rest, delight and contemplate so they can live from a place of strength rather than depletion.

Key Scriptures

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” - Mark 6:30–32 (NIV)

“God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” - Genesis 1:5 (NIV)

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” - Genesis 2:2–3 (NIV)

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God… Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” - Deuteronomy 5:12–15 (NIV)

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” - John 19:30 (NIV)

Instructions for Groups

Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don’t need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God’s Word and apply it to your lives.

Discussion Questions

Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding

  1. What do we observe in Mark 6:30–32 about Jesus’ response to the disciples’ exhaustion, and what rhythm does this establish in His relationship with His followers?

  2. In Genesis 1:5, the day begins with “evening and morning.” How would this order have shaped the Jewish understanding of rest, work and daily rhythm?

  3. According to Deuteronomy 5:12–15, what reasons does God give Israel for practicing Sabbath? How does recalling their history of slavery deepen the meaning of this command?

Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony

  1. What does the teaching reveal about God’s character as a Father who invites His people into rest rather than constant productivity?

  2. Where do you see the human tendency to tie identity to activity? What in Scripture challenges this tendency?

  3. Sabbath was described as a pathway to shalom. When have you experienced a moment of that kind of peace?

Putting It Into Practice

  1. What specific practice do you sense God inviting you to begin to introduce a rhythm of rest into your life?

  2. What steps could you take in the next week to stop, rest, delight and contemplate? How and when will you start these?

Prayer

  1. Listening to the Holy Spirit
    Take 60 seconds of silence and ask the Holy Spirit to speak.
    Afterward: What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or saying to you?

  2. Prayer Requests from Tonight’s Study
    How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?

Fadi Salem