Sabbath Day
The Big Idea:
We need time with God.
The Truth: We should value God's Word and make time regularly to hear and learn it.
Take a Day Off
At first glance, the Third Commandment seems pretty straightforward: Take a day off every seven days. That's what God did in the first story of creation in Genesis. And it's what God told the Israelites to do too.
That's good advice for anyone who labors in any way. You can't just work and work and work without a break. Anyone who does that will burn out before long. And when that happens, you lose your power to accomplish what God intended you for. Even if you're the most capable and talented person in the world, as a burnout case you won't be able to serve your neighbor well. The sabbath day is a gift from God to you and to your neighbor, who needs you to be able to do your work in the world. But along the way, we have somehow managed to turn this gift into a burden. It becomes something we have to do rather than get to do.
There are many Christians who treat the gift of the sabbath as if it were a traffic law: God will fine you if you break it. In Jesus' day, when the Pharisees saw his disciples pulling grains of wheat off their stalks on the sabbath day, they were upset that Jesus' followers were violating sabbath rules. But Jesus knew how to tell God's gifts from worldly demands. He told the religious leaders, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27).
What's Really "Rest"?
If the sabbath is a gift, the Third Commandment demands that we tell ourselves the truth about how we use the gift. We need to be clear about the things that really give us rest and what "rest" really means.
In America, we generally live in a fast-paced, on-the-go culture. Our days are packed with school work, families, chores, and other things. And when we try to get away from it all, we often keep up our busy pace. Frantic going and doing does not make for a good rest or the kind of sabbath God intends for us. If we're going to have a sabbath, it needs to be a real rest rather than a bunch of hectic activity pretending to be rest.
Set Free
Luke's Gospel tells the story of Jesus healing a woman on the sabbath (Luke 13:10-17). This story helps us understand the Third Commandment more deeply. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the sabbath when he saw a disfigured woman, affected by a long-term illness. He said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." Luke says she "stood up straight and began praising God." When the religious leaders objected to such work on the sabbath, Jesus said, "Ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" The sabbath, Jesus says, is all about freedom.
This new word from God is this:
"In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ you are fully forgiven. You don't need to do enough, because Jesus does it all for you."
When we hear a promise like this from God, it depends entirely on our faithful God to make it happen.
When the world starts making demands on you, remember that wherever you hear God's free promise for broken sinners, that's the true sabbath happening. It's why God gives you worship. And it allows you to head off to this week's work as a new, free believer with a clean heart, a right spirit, and energized muscles to care for your neighbor. And when the day comes for you to take your final rest in peace, you can be sure that God's promise of an eternal and joyful rest with Christ in heaven will be yours.
Teen Connection
Just as God "rested" on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), as teens we need rest and recuperation for our brains and bodies. There was, and is, good reason to rest. We live in a fast-paced world filled with multitasking and slowing down only to catch our breath. Teens need sabbath. Our growing brain needs time to refocus. School, sports, computers, and homework all keep the brain working at full speed 24/7. It is good to stop and give thanks, to stop and enjoy special times, to stop and regroup.
Opening Prayer
In my world of MP3, MTV, and cell phones ...
C: Be still, and know that I am God!
In my world of cheerleaders, football and basketball, and fans pounding on the bleachers ...
C: Be still, and know that I am God!
In my world of chores, homework, needing to my friends...
C: Be still, and know that I am God!
(Stay frozen and quiet for 30 seconds, then says:)
C: Amen
My Faith Story
One point in observing the sabbath is to mark time in a different way. When we alter our everyday patterns, we pay attention differently, and we notice things we might otherwise take for granted or ignore. Think of such a sabbath time for you, especially a time when you weren't always watching the clock.
What was different about this time; what made it sacred?
What did you notice that you normally overlook?
Did you feel closer to God?
To others around you?
To creation?
How was this different from times you have enjoyed yourself but were harried or conscious of time?
Somebody Needs a Sabbath
The person at the computer in the picture on the left, appears frustrated. Something isn't going well. Maybe she's been working on a problem for a long time—maybe for too long. Sometimes walking away and taking a rest provides the perspective and clarity needed to move forward.
Name some of the ways you know it is time to take a break—a Sabbath.
Share ideas about how you might get the rest you need when you need it.
Taking a Sabbath is important not just because we need to make time to worship God, but because our minds and bodies have limits and need a rest. God created time for quiet. Time for rest. Time for us to spend with God. Encourage youth to spend time at rest with God during the week.
Open the Catechism
Sabbath is a time to stop, rest, and take a breath. Living things need rest to survive and, beyond that, to be rejuvenated. God rests too. After those six hard days of creation, God rested on the seventh. God's example shows that the activity-rest-activity-rest rhythm of ongoing creation is healthy and right.
But what is the Sabbath? Believers give the Sabbath day back to God. At worship we connect with church people while we deepen our relationship with God. Hearing God's Word and then singing and praying our response, we affirm what we believe.
Open the Catechism to the Third Commandment and read it with its meaning. Then read Exodus 20:8-11 to find out who the Sabbath is for. Not only "workers," but everyone—everything, including animals! Take out a piece of paper and pens or markers as we discuss these questions: While you are enjoying a sabbath rest, who is hard at work? Who rests during the busiest time of your day? Draw a two-sided picture of life in your community. On one side, show those active in the daylight. On the other side, show those active when it is dark. Say a prayer of thanks for the night shift staff at the local hospital and other on-call emergency personnel.
Bible Connection:
The Rest and Mercy Thing
• Turn to Matthew 12:1-14, and read. What do Jesus and the disciples do "wrong"? Because they are very literal and strict in their understanding of the law, the Pharisees are offended by Jesus. How does Jesus challenge their interpretation of the third Commandment? What is Jesus' interpretation (verse 12)? What do you think "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" means? Can this passage be interpreted in a way Jesus may not have intended?
• Now turn to Leviticus 25:1-12, and read. Who or what does God say needs rest in this passage? How often should the land receive rest? Is this a good idea? Why is it important for the land to rest?
• Open to Exodus 20:8-11, and read. Who is expected to observe the Sabbath? Why such an extensive list? What is the rationale for the day of rest? Do you remember where the Israelites are coming from when they receive this commandment? Would they hear this as good news?
• Now turn to Luke 13:10-17, and read. What is that rascal Jesus up to this time? How do the Pharisees respond? How does Jesus argue his case? This time, it's about more than doing good—Jesus casts his action in the language of liberation. Do you need rest (liberation) on the Sabbath? Does Jesus disagree with this commandment?
Music: Rest and Renew
"Come Away with Me"
"Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones
In this hectic world, it is often difficult to find time to rest and renew our strength. We are constantly choosing the urgent over the important. However, God says it is important to rest. Come away with me makes this time, the sabbath, sound like the gift that it is—one day in seven to rest and refocus on the things of greatest importance by nurturing our relationship with God. Listen to "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones and think about how God longs for time with God's children.
Why is it so important to rest?
Why is it important to spend time alone with God?
What are some creative ways we can spend time with God?
Give an example of a time when you felt close to God. What was happening around you? Where were you?
"Seize My Heart"
Song: "Seize My Heart” by Echelon
We celebrate the sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week, the day we celebrate Christ rising from the dead. It's the perfect time for a new beginning, regardless of what the week before held for us. God's grace makes it possible for all of us to approach God as a Father and a friend, fully forgiven and loved. Listen to "Seize My Heart,"
Seize my heart
Turn it your way
I have been willing but I've gone astray
So upon my knees to worship and pray
I start anew today.
Have you ever fallen out of touch with a close friend? How did you connect afterwards?
What takes up your time? How do you spend time with God?
Closing Questions
Talk about a time when you felt very tired and worn out.
Talk about a time when you felt very rested and energized.
When and where do you feel closest to God?
What does it mean to keep something holy?
Is time with God something that should be spent in private or in public? Alone or with others? Is it either/or or both/and?
Are we faithful in fulfilling the call to provide a time of rest for all people? For animals? For the land? Why not?
What will happen if we fail to provide rest for all of creation? What concrete steps can we take to change this—to start providing a time of rest?
Closing Ritual
L: Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
C: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
L: For I am gentle and humble in heart
C: And you will find rest for your souls.
L: Be still, and know that I am God,
(pause for a moment of silence)
L: and I will give you rest.
ALL: Amen
Closing Blessing
L: May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord walk with you in times of quiet prayer and reflection; the Lord refresh you in body, mind, and spirit; and grant you peace. Amen