Liturgy for Life - WK 2 : GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

LITURGIES: Rest - Sabbath, Promised, Jubilee, An Attitude

OPENING QUESTION(S)
What is true, reuse wanting rest for you? What does it take for you to truly rest? Think of circumstances, state of your heart, practices, etc...

HEAD & HEART

1. Read Exodus 20:8-11 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
2. SABBATH REST - Knowing how busy and hectic our lives would get, why do you think God setup Sabbath as a part of our rhythm to life? Holy means set apart, so what about Sabbath sets apart those who practice it?
3. Read Hebrews 4:1-2, together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
4. PROMISED REST - Why would they “tremble with fear” for those that fail to experience God’s promised rest? What might rest and listening have to do with each other? What promises come with God’s rest?
5. Read Leviticus 25:1-5, 8-11 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
6. JUBILEE REST - What does the term “a complete rest” mean to you? What would you do to experience a complete rest? Jubilee seemed like a complete rest. What are ways we can practice a similar type of reset? It is said that the people of Israel never really observed a year of Jubilee. Why do you think that was hard for them to do?
7. Read Isaiah 30:15 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
8. ATTITUDE OF REST - Is there a way to experience an attitude of rest outside of the boundaries of a Sabbath day? How?
9. Read Jeremiah 6:16-17, together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading? What stands out?
10. STOP & LISTEN - What might stopping and listening have to do with entering God’s rest? What are some ways we can practice these things?

HANDS
Each week in this series, we will challenge you to spend time actually practicing the liturgies discussed in the week. So for this week, think about a daily practice to enter into an attitude of rest before you get going on your day; maybe it means surrendering your plans, choosing to trust in God over your own efforts. Then, this Sabbath, what can you do to make it special, holy, set apart not as a burden, but as an opportunity to enter into His rest/presence?

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30, NLT