Key Thought: Sabbath, observed in its true spirit, is a powerful experience that celebrates our creation, redemption, and eternal rest and relationship in Jesus.

Resting in Christ – April 30 – May 6, 2016

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 12:3-8.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why did Jesus refer to David and his men eating th showbread and to the priests’ working on the Sabbath and are guiltless as the response to the Pharisees’ accusation of His disciples breaking the Sabbath?
c. Personal Application : What do your actions and attitude concerning the Sabbath day show in reflecting or not reflecting the character of Jesus or the character of self? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “What does it mean when Jesus says He is the Lord of the Sabbath? How are we supposed to understand that?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 12:9-14.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What kind of “good” things would you consider lawful to be done on the Sabbath? Would you make these things a habit, or as exceptions at times?
c. Personal Application : How do you keep the Sabbath? In what ways could you do more to get a deeper and richer experience from keeping the Sabbath? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Why would the Jews be so angry at Jesus for healing a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath? It seems like mercy would be more important than a legal requirement. What was the issue here?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 58:7-13

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean to take your foot off the Sabbath day?
c. Personal Application: How do we honor God by keeping the Sabbath? What are our own ways, our own thoughts, and our own words? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “What does it mean to be a “repairer of the breach” in regards to Sabbath reform and Sabbath-keeping?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 11:28-30.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why do so many people, even with so much Scriptural evidence, reject the Sabbath? Can God’s rest be found outside the Sabbath?.
c. Personal Application : How do you experience the rest that Jesus promises here? How does learning to be gentle and humble help us find rest? Share your thoughts.
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.

(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.” Ministry of Healing, p. 148). 

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