Sabbath, Pt. 7: Sabbath in Community
About the Series
In our fast-paced world, where busyness is often worn as a badge of honor, we are invited to return to a rhythm of rest through the practice of Sabbath. This series will explore Sabbath’s connection to God’s work of creation, its formative significance for God’s liberated people, and its embodiment and fulfillment in Jesus. Sabbath is an invitation to delight. But beyond a simple day off, this practice is a deliberate act of resistance and counter-formation, and can even be a work of justice. We want this series to be a conversation and safe space where together we can explore and experiment. Ultimately, we long to be a people who delight in God and who live in step with—at the pace of—the Holy Spirit.
Reflect on Last Week
Before we discuss this week’s teaching and take the conversation further, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on and share about any experiences or Sabbath experimentation from this past week.
Remember, this is about practice, not performance. We are each given loads of permission to be exactly where we are with this, not where we or anyone else thinks we should be.
Did you practice sabbath this last week? If yes, what did you do and what was it like? If no, but you wanted to, what obstacles did you face? If no, and you didn’t intend to, no worries! Tell us how you are processing the invitation to the sabbath practice?
Read this Sermon Recap
Sabbath Pt. 6, Sabbath as Resistance
It’s a dangerous temptation to think that our walk with God is primarily an individual experience. Sabbath teaches us to look around, to see the community around us. As it pushes back against our sense of hurry and our preoccupation with time, it invites us not just to find rest for ourselves, but also to help provide and protect rest for those around us. Sabbath teaches us to think in “we”. There is no Sabbath rest, not really, if it is not a shared rest.
The Sabbath command given to Moses (Exodus 20:8-10; Deuteronomy 5:12-15) is unique among the 10 Commandments. Nine out of ten commandments concern you – your actions, your desires, your worship. The command to Sabbath is one you cannot keep alone. You are required to look outward at others in your life. You bear responsibility to keep those in your care free to obey this command as well.
Nehemiah, during the return from exile, went so far as to station guards at the gates of Jerusalem in order to protect the Sabbath of his people. This example is a strong metaphor for us. In our Refuge community, where some of us keep the Sabbath regularly, some are learning, and some have no practice – how do we in love “guard the gates” of our brothers and sisters?
Let those who have a Sabbath practice consider how they might invite others to share that giftwith them. If Sabbath is indeed best understood in our time as a gift to be received, how might those who have received that gift find ways of sharing it with others?
Sabbath teaches us to think in “we”, to consider our responsibility to the community. Worship does the same thing. Even those of us who think they have no Sabbath practice, do actually enter into the most common Sabbath practice of worship together. It takes many willing hands to worship as we do. Those who lead, should consider how to best care for volunteers so that they are able to be at peace even while working. Those who don’t yet serve in some way, should consider how they might be able to extend additional rest to others by also taking on a volunteer role, sharing the work among more people.
Discuss these Questions
(Leaders: Before going into the questions, you may want to give your group a minute or so of silence, reflecting on and listening to the Spirit around the question, “What is Jesus inviting you to notice tonight?”)
Tonight we are going to use this set of questions to guide our discussion. You may want to pull up the guide on your phone to help you process and reflect.
What stands out to you from Sunday’s teaching? What has been staying with you that you’d like to share?
Who do you most feel “with” in terms of worshiping or serving together? What makes you feel connected to them?
Have you ever felt alone while at church? Why do you think that is?
Our participation in the communion bread and cup reminds us that we are one body, brought together by the work of Jesus. Do you have any ideas about how to help others experience that connection in the Refuge community?
Is there something you are being led or inspired to try this week when it comes to the practice of Sabbath? How can our small group support you in that?
Before we close and read the practice for the week, let’s take some time to pray for each other. (Leaders: you can take additional prayer requests and/or pray along the lines of what has been shared regarding sabbath practice.)
Practice for the Week
This week, we’ll explore 2 things: One, how might we “guard the gates” for someone else and two, how might we as a group explore serving the greater Refuge family as we gather for worship.
1. As you’ve shared together, ask those who have/are beginning a Sabbath practice how the group might best support them and protect their time.
2. Survey the areas members of your group already serve in at Refuge. Is there a way to join in along side them? Do you feel drawn to help in some other way either all together or in pairs/smaller groups?
3. Contact a member of Refuge staff and let them know your intention. Consider committing to serving once a month during the summer months.
If your group is not ready or unable to serve together for whatever reason, give yourself grace. Give thanks for those who serve and pray that God continues to sustain the worship and work of Refuge Church.
