Mark 2:23-28
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" 25 He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." 27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." NIV 84
Lesson Notes
God Designed Us for Rest
From creation, God modeled rest by ceasing from His work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3). The Sabbath was meant as a gift, not a burden—a rhythm of rest that restores both body and soul.
The Sabbath Is a Provision, Not a Prohibition
Jesus reminds us that God’s commands are intended for our good. Just as the showbread was given to David as provision, the Sabbath is meant to care for us, not restrict us.
Religion Can Complicate What God Made Simple
The Pharisees burdened the Sabbath with rules, missing the heart of God’s intention. Jesus simplified it: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
Relationship Over Religion
True obedience flows out of relationship with God, not rigid rule-keeping. Religion says, “Obey so that God will love me.” Relationship says, “God loves me, therefore I obey.”
Jesus Is Our True Rest
As “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus is more than a teacher of rest—He is our rest. Vacations, sleep, and downtime are good, but only in Christ do we find the kind of rest that nothing else can satisfy.
Discussion Questions
1 In what ways have you experienced the effects of being physically, emotionally, or spiritually tired? What are some intentional ways you could practice a "rhythm of rest" each week without turning it into a legalistic checklist?
2 Can you think of areas in your life where you’ve turned God’s good gift into a burden (like the Pharisees did with the Sabbath)? How can you shift your perspective to see God’s commands as provision?
3 How does focusing on God’s love and relationship with Him transform the way you approach obedience compared to a rule-focused mindset?
4 Jesus offers deep soul-rest beyond sleep or vacations. What would it look like for you to experience that rest in Him this week? What does it practically look like for you to find your true rest in Jesus during a busy week?
