1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading—Deuteronomy 5: 12-15
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox; your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath Day.
3) Devotional
Sabbath was intended to shape our lives as a liberated people. The fourth commandment calls for free time for people who had been enslaved.
Sabbath was intended to shape our lives as a liberated people. The fourth commandment calls for free time for people who had been enslaved.
"The Deuteronomy reason for Sabbath-keeping is that our ancestors in Egypt went for four hundred years without a vacation (Deuteronomy 5:15). Never a day off. The consequence: they were no longer considered persons but slaves. Hands. Work units. Not persons created in the image of God but equipment for making brick and building pyramids. Humanity was defaced." --Eugene Peterson
Sabbath-keeping is meant to be an experience of the truth that you are not a “doing machine” but a deeply loved son or daughter of God. God is not interested in simply using you to get work done: He delights in you. And he provides free time once a week so that you might relish your release from oppression and slavery.
4) Questions to Consider
How might the truth that “God doesn’t want to use you but enjoy you” give you a vision for celebrating the Sabbath?
How might the truth that “God doesn’t want to use you but enjoy you” give you a vision for celebrating the Sabbath?
5) Prayer
LORD, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing that I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these minutes before you, all I can say is “Thank you.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
LORD, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing that I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these minutes before you, all I can say is “Thank you.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
