Key Thought: Jesus, our Creator and Redeemer, gave us the Sabbath as a sign between Him and His people. It is His day given to man to enjoy a special time with Him.

[Teaching plan for “Lord of the Sabbath” February 15, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 2:27,28.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath?
C. Personal Application: Why do you think God made the Sabbath for man? What benefits do you personally get out of the Sabbath? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “When Jesus is saying this, He is defending Himself and His disciples against being accused of breaking the Sabbath. So this statement seems to say that the Sabbath doesn’t control man, but man controls the Sabbath and can determine what is lawful or appropriate on that day.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 5:12-15.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do we sanctify the Sabbath today in such a way that it pleases God?
C. Personal Application: How does keeping the Sabbath remind you of God’s deliverance from sin for you? Or does it?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”The Sabbath was for the Jews in remembrance of God’s deliverance for them in bringing them out of Egypt. The Sabbath is our Sunday as it reminds us of Jesus’ resurrection delivering us from the power of the grave.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 12:9-13.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. If it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath day, what activities would be considered doing well, and what activities would be considered not doing well?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever “broken” the Sabbath day for what you considered a good reason? Share your experience..
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Because Jesus picked corn, or grain, healed, and talked of taking a sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath, was He a Sabbath-breaker, or was He telling us that keeping the Sabbath was no longer important?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 2:1-3.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do Adventist evolutionary creationists view the purpose and reason for the Sabbath? If the world wasn’t made in six literal days, is there a need or purpose for a 24 hour Sabbath? Share your thoughts.
C. Personal Application: Do you view the Sabbath more as a time of fellow-Ship with church members, rest from labor, time to spend in communion With God, or a time to share the gospel with others?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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