There’s a lot of confusion about this one: Isn’t legalistic religion bad? Didn’t Jesus cancel this one? Won’t I lose too much if I really do this? Vacations and Holidays do the same thing, right? As with the other nine, this commandment is meant for our good, and we shouldn’t explain it away so easily. Redeemed people are better off living the way the Redeemer intended. The Rescue came before the Rules! That means the Fourth Commandment is really a gift. So why do we have so much difficulty receiving that gift?
Discussion Questions
Describe the work ethic of your parents as you were growing up. What did you inherit from that experience? Most praise their parents for working hard. Did they rest hard, too? What did that look like?
Do you believe that the Sabbath concept applies to you today, 52 weeks per year? Store them up in the name of vacation? Just when you need it?
Describe your busiest times of life. Are those yearly, monthly, or seasonally? Be as specific as possible. Are you the type to work through busy times, or do you “remember the Sabbath?” Did this week’s message encourage you to change your behavior, or are you skeptical that you won’t get everything done?
What kind of work ethic are you teaching your kids? Do you think they are learning about the Sabbath? Are there any consequences in your life that you either received from your parents or initiated as a parent, from staying busy? If you’re married, what would your spouse say about your work ethic?
Most people don’t think this applies to them or it won’t work for various reasons (i.e., my situation is unique...). Talk about that.
What did you need to hear in the sermon?
