The Forgotten Gift

Mark 2:23-28

The Pharisees treated the Sabbath like a burden—rules to keep, boxes to check, restrictions to enforce. But God wove the Sabbath into creation so His people could stop striving and learn to delight in Him. The Sabbath isn’t about what we give up—it’s about what we gain: unhurried time to savor God’s goodness, to enjoy His presence, and to rest in His care.

1. What do you hate most about man-made schedules based on timekeeping?

2. If you made “the rules,” what rule would you require be observed on the Sabbath?

3. Do you ever feel that taking a Sabbath is a burden? Why?

4. If Sabbath is a gift that we reject, are there other gifts from God that are for our good that we reject? Can you name any?

5. If you were a slave who was not allowed a Sabbath each week, what would you be missing out on?

       a. Is there something in your life now that you are a slave to that is keeping you from weekly Sabbaths?

       b. Read Titus 3:4-7 — Who enslaved you?

6. Read Psalm 111:2-5 & 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — Had you ever considered that choosing not to keep the Sabbath was a result of not trusting God?

       a. What do you have trouble trusting God with? What keeps you from having a peaceful Sabbath each week?

7. Read Isaiah 58 — Does the Sabbath described here sound like what the Pharisees subscribed to? Does it sound like the Sabbath observance of the 20th century church? Is this a Sabbath you could hold to?

8. What time frame are you going to set aside for a Sabbath each week?

9. What has been draining your soul? How will you fast from it on your Sabbath?

10. What restores your soul? How will you take delight in it on your Sabbath?

       a. How will you set aside quality time with God on your Sabbath?