Real Rest

Real Rest

Hannah Bemis

What is real, Biblical rest, and why is it so important?

Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

What is Real, Biblical rest?

Exodus 20:8

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Ezekiel 20:20

Keep my Sabbaths as holy rest days, signposts between me and you, signaling that I am God, your God.

Ezekiel 34:15

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down...

Why is Rest so important?

Psalm 42:8

Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night!

Psalm 3:5

So now I'll lie down and sleep like a baby— then I'll awake in safety, for you surround me with your glory.

1 Samuel 3:2-4

The  lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, "Samuel!"

1 Kings 19:9

There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Ezekiel 20:11-12

I... gave them my weekly holy rest days... to show them that I, God, am in the business of making them holy.

Discussion Questions:

1. What has your perspective been about rest?

2. Do you find yourself tired and worn out?
How can you have true rest this week?

3. What steps can you take to create a
rhythm of rest in your life?