Name
|
E-mail
|
Bill was a hard
worker. For years he worked sixteen hour days so that his
wife and children could have the luxuries of life. Seemingly
they had it all: a house in the suburbs with a three car
garage, private schools for the children, a diversified
financial portfolio, and enough flexibility to take a two
week vacation in exotic locations every year. What more
could a person ask for?
Then it happened. Just before his forty-fifth birthday,
Bill experienced a heart attack. He was so young, but death
had come knowing at his door. He was rushed to the emergency
room and a team of experts worked around the clock to mend
his heart. Fortunately, they were successful and Bill was
granted a second chance to live. After the operation, the
head surgeon stopped by the recovery room and Bill was ecstatic.
“Thank you ever so much,” he exclaimed with tears in his
eyes, “I will always appreciate what you have done for me.”
The surgeon replied, “Bill, the best way to show your appreciation
is by slowing down and given your body a chance to rest
as you think about what really matters in life.”
Today, God wants us to show our appreciation to him by giving
our minds and bodies a chance to rest. As we study this
lesson, we will find out how. |
QUESTIONS
1. There are many scientific theories about the origin of
humans. However, the Bible is unwavering in its declaration
that God created humans. He could have made humans like
the rest of the animals, but there was something unique
about this aspect of God’s creation. According to Genesis
1:26, what is so unique about humans? What does it mean
to be made in the “image of God”?
|
2. In sharing his dominion
with humans, God installed a special status on them that
was not even bestowed upon angels. As a reminder of this
special relationship, God prepared a special gift for humans
at creation. What are the implications of this gift, and
how does it demonstrate the eternal bind that God has with
the human race?
> Genesis 2:1-3
> Mark 2:27
|
3. Many people view the keeping of the Sabbath
as a laborious attempt to conform to ancient legalistic
rules. They view it as a meaningless symbol that was only
relevant to a certain ethnic segment of the human race.
According to the Bible, what is the real purpose of the
Sabbath gift?
> Exodus
20:8-11
> Ezekiel 20:20
> Deuteronomy
5:12-15
|
4. The Sabbath is not just
an arbitrary day of the week, but it is a symbol of God’s
unrivaled power and unbroken promise. How do the following
texts help to place the Sabbath in the perspective of history
and the future.
> Exodus
29:11
> Exodus 31:13
> Ezekiel 20:12
|
5. The word Sabbath means
“rest” or “cease.” It does not mean “rest” in the sense
that a person should spend the entire day in bed! However,
it incites humans to refrain from certain activities on
that day. What actions are forbidden on the Sabbath and
why?
> Exodus 20:9
>
Exodus 16:23
> Nehemiah 10:31
|
6. Although God has the
right to set arbitrary rules, he often provides an explanation
for his requests. Why should humans refrain from doing certain
things on the Sabbath?
> Mark 2:27
> Exodus 20:9
|
7. Those who argue that
the Sabbath is irrelevant for modern Christians often cite
texts that support the abolishing of the law of Moses. It
is true that the Sabbath law is mentioned a lot in the five
biblical books attributed to Moses. However, it was established
in a foundational law that superceded Moses. What was this
law, and what is its relationship to the broader law of
Moses?
> Exodus
20:3-17
> James 2:8-12
|
8. Many Christians view
the Law of God as a ten part multiple choice question from
which an individual is free to pick or choose according
to their denominational or personal preferences. What does
the Bible say about the Christian’s obligation to keep God’s
law?
> James 2:10
> 1 John 3:4
> 1 John 5:1-3
>
Romans 7:7-12
|
9. Some Christians cite
their rejection of the Sabbath law by appealing to Christ’s
crucifixion and resurrection. Did Christ abolish the Sabbath
command?
> Matthew 5:17,18
> Acts 13:13-14
> Acts 16:13
> Acts 17:2-3
> Hebrews 4:9
(note: The word used for “rest” in Hebrews 4:9 is different
from the one used in the previous verses (4:4,3,8). In the
previous verses, the Greek word “katapausis” is used, which
simply means “rest” or “pause.” However, in Hebrews 4:9,
the author uses the active noun “sabbatismos” which is derived
from the verb “sabbatizo,” and literally means “I keep the
Sabbath.” The author is effectually saying that “a keeping
of the Sabbath is still in effect for the people of God.”
If Jesus had changed the Sabbath, then surely the author
of Acts and Hebrews-who wrote many years after his ascension-would
have known.)
|
10. Many acknowledge the
presence of Sabbath keeping Christians in the early church,
but reason that these were Jews who did not know any better.
However, there have been an unbroken line of Christians
who have always observed the Sabbath from the first century.
Is it against the will of God for present day Christians
to observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment?
> Revelation 12:17
> Revelation
14:12
> Revelation 22:14
|
11. According to scripture,
for how long into the future will the Sabbath be observed?
> Isaiah 66:22, 23
|
By
the grace of God, I want to honor him by observing His Sabbath.
Yes
No
|
