The Rested Soul: Practicing the Sabbath

Bridge Community Fellowship Sunday 1-4-26 Worship Service Habits 2026 The Rested Soul: Practicing The Sabbath (Gen 2:1-3, Isa 58:13-14, Exo 20:8) Big Idea for This Week: Practice the habit of Sabbath by Stopping, Resting, Delighting, and Worshiping Sermon Outline 1. Stop (Genesis 2:1-2) God created the world with a rhythm of work and rest. Just as God finished His work and rested, we are commanded to stop. Action: Do not wait for sickness or burnout to force you to stop; choose to stop joyfully in obedience to Jesus. 2. Rest (Genesis 2:3) Sabbath is more than just a day off for errands; it is a holy time set apart. Rest is rejuvenating, refilling us with vision, strength, and creativity. Action: Recover the ancient art of Sabbath to create margin in your life and avoid breaking under the pressure of a limitless culture. 3. Delight (Isaiah 58:13-14) Sabbath requires slowing down enough to appreciate the sweetness of life, like a good meal, a sunset, or time with family. Action: Call the Sabbath a delight by doing things that bring you joy, rather than just ceasing labor. 4. Worship (Exodus 20:8) Sabbath is a day to remember that the world goes on without us and that God is the Creator and Sustainer. Action: Shift your focus from approval and significance to your identity as a child of God. Study Questions for Reflection 1.Do you frequently find yourself overwhelmed, stressed out, or feeling guilty when you relax? 2.Are you currently "overworking, undersleeping, and overspending" in an attempt to keep up with the culture? 3.Do you view your rest as merely a way to recharge for more work, or do you work from your rest? 4.In a world of constant availability, are you a "quivering mass of availability," or do you have clear boundaries? 5.Is your identity tied to your job title and performance, or are you able to step out of your role and rest in who God is? Practical Challenges: Practicing Sabbath in 2026 • Designate a Day. God created a pattern of work and rest. If you go against the grain of creation, you will get a splinter in your soul. You must choose to stop, or burnout will eventually choose for you. o Commit to a Time: Pick a 24-hour period (e.g., Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday). o My Sabbath will be from _______________ to _______________. • Create Boundaries. In our culture, we are often a "quivering mass of availability". To truly rest, you must define what you will not do. oThe Digital Wall: Will you turn off your phone? Delete social media apps for the day? Leave the laptop closed?. oOne boundary I will set this week is: _____________ •Make a "Happy List" (Delight). Sabbath is not just about ceasing labor; it is about "delighting in the Lord". It requires slowing down to appreciate the sweetness of life. o Brainstorm: List three things that truly refresh you (e.g., a good meal, a sunset, a hobby, time with friends). 1. ________ 2. _______ 3. _________ •Flip Your Routine (Tools Not Rules). How you rest depends on how you work. Use your Sabbath to engage the part of you that is usually dormant. oDo you work with your mind? Rest with your hands. (Action: Garden, hike, swim, bike, or get outside). oDo you work with your hands? Rest with your mind. (Thoughtfulness: Read a book, journal, write, or reflect). •Re-Center (Worship). Sabbath is a holy time to remember that you are not your job title, your grades, or your net worth. o The Truth: Remind yourself that the world runs fine without you, because God is the Sustainer. Reflection: "God reigns in us as we rest in him." — John Calvin