Rest that Restores Comes Through Prayer and Solitude
Key Verse (Mark 1:35) – In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Christ Gives Us Rest When We Come to Him
Key Verse (Matt 11:28-30) – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We Can Rest in Christ Since He Has Overcome the World
Key Verse (John 16:33) – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

There is a Rhythm to Rest in this Life
Key Verse (Ex 20:8-11) – Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, … For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Questions for Further Thought

Q1 – What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?


Q2 – Are you starving for real restoration? Here questions to ask yourself:

Would you consider yourself a restless person?
Are you frantic and always in a rush?
Are you a workaholic?
Are you anxious about anything?
Are you worn-out, even after vacations?
Are you always striving for some pleasure or achievement or recognition or self-regard?
Do you stay up too late, burning the candle at both ends?
Do you always cram in one more thing?
Do you often think that it all depends on me, or it has to be perfect, or if I don’t do it all will be ruined?
Does your mind always bug you to stay up and do things?
In conversation, do you often anxiously look around with one eye on the time and the other on the door?
Are you preoccupied with the fear of missing out?
Are you preoccupied with the fear of looming disaster?
Are you preoccupied with the fear of failure?
Do you escape into the wee morning hours in an easy distraction like entertainment, tech, and media?


Q3 – What is your rhythm of resting in the Lord? Why does it matter that Christ gives us rest? Why does it matter that Christ has overcome the world? What does it mean to live in reality?


Q4 – What one thing might you change? How will that happen?

For Further Thought and Discussion
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. How would you complete this sentence? “I will be satisfied when….”

Going Deeper
3. Please read Luke 2:21-38. How would you describe Simeon? Anna? What does vs. 29-30 tell you about Simeon?

4. How do Simeon and Anna exemplify the truth that fulfillment is the result of wanting the right thing? Can you identify anything you’ve looked for fulfillment from which has disappointed you? Why?

5. Why are Mary and Joseph amazed (vs. 32) at what Simeon says about Jesus? How is Simeon’s message different from what the Jews expected of the Messiah? (vs. 30-35). How do Simeon and Anna exemplify the truth that fulfillment is the result of embracing temporary discomfort for an eternal reward? How does Mary? Can you think of an example of when temporary discomfort led to satisfaction?

6. How do Simeon and Anna exemplify the truth that fulfillment is the result of believing before seeing? Why does true fulfillment require faith? What are you currently waiting for God to do?

Application
What is one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?