This week, we ask how the gospel informs our rest. The Lord created us as spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social beings. Rest, in all these areas, becomes essential to our overall well-being. Though there are practical steps we can (and should) take to rest well, the goal of rest is ultimately to point us to the One in whom are souls find their deepest rest: Jesus.
Mark 6:30-36
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 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.”
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by
Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Discussion Questions
- Do you consider rest to be a spiritual activity? Why or why not?
- What does your work/rest balance currently look like?
- Do you feel as though you are regularly getting the rest you need (physical, spiritual, emotional, social, etc.)?
- If not, which area(s) could be given more attention?
- Have you ever incorporated a regular Sabbath into your weekly schedule? If so, what does that day look like for you?
- What activities bring you life and joy (reading, walking, spending time with family/friends, exercise, etc.)?
- How could you rearrange your schedule to incorporate one day each week filled with these activities to practice resting well?
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