Small Group/Sermon Notes for High Ways Part 1: Sabbath

Remember, small groups are primarily for growing closer relationships with other believers. We can learn wonderful things in this environment but keep relationships first.

  • Make sure everyone knows each other’s names. Have everyone share a little about themselves and how life is going right now.
  • High WaysIntroduction
  • Jesus called his disciples “friends” in John 15:9-15.
  • A friend “gets” you. A friend cares and helps.
  • Jesus is your friend (laid down his life), but are you a friend to him?
  • Do you “get” Jesus? Do you care? Want to help?
  • This series is about going deeper than religious rules to catch God’s vision.
  • The poster child for missing the point is Legalism.
  • Rules taught by men, Mark 7:5-8.
  • Cheap grace is just the other side of the same counterfeit coin; it misses the point just as much, Romans 6:1-2.
  • Key Scripture Isaiah 55:6-9
  • God’s ways are higher than our ways x2:
  • First, God’s ways can be hard to understand sometimes.
  • Second, God’s ways are much much better than our ways.
  • Friend of God is available for the taking, so let’s take it!!!
  • Walking by faith not by sight is essential (2 Cor 5:7), but don’t unnecessarily take that too far or you will get used to walking in the dark. How are these two things different?
  • High Ways Part 1: Sabbath Observance.
  • What is God’s vision for Sabbath observance? Let’s get beyond rules and catch God’s vision.
  • Did Jesus observe the Sabbath?
  • He went to church. Luke 4:16.
  • But he also, on many occasions, broke Sabbath rules! Ex: Mark 2:23-28.
  • Jesus did this to teach the lesson of Mark 2:27.
  • So, the Sabbath was made for man. In what ways? I can think of three. What others are there?
  • 1. Rest. We need rest. This includes special holidays.
  • A life of walking with God is a life marked by regular periods of rest.
  • 2. Time with God. We need to stay connected with God.
  • What is the greatest commandment? Can’t love without relationship.
  • 3. Time together. We need each other.
  • Jesus gave this command: John 13:34. Can’t love w/o relationship.
  • We need to encourage each other. Hebrews 10:24-25.
  • This keeps the Body together. God’s plan is for us to work together.
  • God’s vision is to have a people who have balanced lives, who are living life with dear friends, who are rested, in tune with God, and strong together.
  • What if, instead, we had a bunch of super busy, disconnected, burned out believers who never have time for God, each other, or the cause of Christ?
  • Don’t get legalistic. That ruins the whole thing. Shift work is fine.
  • Some say the Sabbath has been abolished in the New Testament. I disagree. The legalism is gone of course, but the reason for the Sabbath is still there.
  • Hebrews 4:9-11 seems pretty clear.
  • Hebrews 4:1-2. Now, see Sabbath rest as a wonderful promise from God.
  • We carry burdens that are not physical. Can you think of examples?
  • True rest allows us to be free from these burdens as well.
  • Pray for each other before you finish up!