Become Like Him: Shaped by Rhythms of Rest SABBATH PRACTICE DEFINED A 24-hour time to stop, rest, delight, and worship. Stop – Ceasing from ordinary work and production Rest – Allowing body and soul to recover Delight – Enjoying God’s good gifts without guilt Worship – Re-centering life around God Himself Big Idea We do not become like Jesus primarily through our good intentions or high intensity, but through our imitation of His rhythms. Intentional planned rest is one of God’s main tools for shaping us into Christlikeness. Matthew 11:28–29 (NLT) Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest… Let me teach you… and you will find rest for your souls.’ Jesus you’re weary, not lazy. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens…” Jesus redefines rest as . “Come to me…I will give you rest.” Jesus shapes us through a pace. Matthew 11:29 (The Message) “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.” Where does my Sabbath strength come from? Matthew 11:30 (NLT) My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. John 5:19 (NLT) So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” What Now? 1. Be honest with yourself: Am I prioritizing my being above my doing? 2. Share the heavy weight you’re carrying. 3. Pay more attention to your pace. Continuing the Conversation 1. What might it look like to choose rest before you feel desperate for it? 2. When you finally slow down, what do you naturally turn toward for relief—and how does that compare with turning toward God for delight? 3. How does your sense of identity tend to drift during a busy week, and what reminders of “who you are in Christ” would you need Sabbath to restore?