GroshLink

“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.” (Matt. 11:28 MSG)

Today, the Disciples Fellowship Group at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ will discuss Chapter 7, Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity(Keri Wyatt Kent. Zondervan. 2009).* We invite you to enter into Sabbath rest with us.

Rest (Keri Wyatt Kent)

Disciples Fellowship Group/Summer 2011

Chapter 7: Praying: An Antidote for Self-Absorption, Part 1

It has been said that “Generation Me” (those born in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s) are more self-centered, more disrespectful of authority, and more depressed than any generation prior.  They have been indoctrinated into “self-esteem” which has ironically led to them thinking more highly of themselves than is warranted.

“The antidote for our self-absorption and self-importance is the practice of prayer…  The traditional Sabbath prayers begin, ‘Blessed are you, Lord God,’ and not, ‘Please bless me, God.’” (p. 180)

“Prayer informs our Sabbath; it infuses it with holiness.  Otherwise, the Lord’s Day becomes ‘our day,’ simply time to take a break.” (p. 180)

“If we limit our understanding of prayer to a narrow definition that includes just ‘talking at God’ and little else, we will miss out on the richness and restfulness of Sabbath prayer.” (p. 180)

Prayer is enjoying the attention of God but it is also giving our attention to God.  “It is a conversation of mutuality, of paying attention to God and reveling in the attention God gives to us.” (p. 182)

What are your thoughts on prayer and your prayer life?  When you pray do you “enjoy the attention of God?”  When you pray do you “pay attention to God?”

“To live prayerfully is to live mindfully…  To have a day of peace is part of praying, during which we are strengthened and rejuvenated.  But what are we strengthened for?  To do the work God has called us to do, not as drudgery but as a pathway to joy…  To give and receive love is to live a prayerful life, even if we are not in direct conversation with God.” (p. 1832-183)

In your experience, does prayer strengthen and rejuvenate you for service?  Does prayer help to inform you of God’s heart for the world?

Sabbath and Tabernacle

“Wayne Muller writes, “One translation of the biblical phrase ‘to pray’ is ‘to come to rest…  Prayer can be a practice of simply being in the presence of god, allowing the mind to rest in the heart.” (p. 184)

The tabernacle, which God commanded the Hebrew people to build and carry with them in their wanderings, was not just a tent.  It was “a physical reminder of a spiritual reality: God is with us, wants to dwell with us, wants to rest with us.” (p. 184)

“The ideas of prayer, rest and dwelling with God are all related.  We invite God to dwell with us.  We live in him.  We rest in him.”  Much as the tabernacle was a place of prayer, rest and God’s presence. (p. 185)

Shabbos: to stop, to rest Tabernacle: to rest, to dwell

Tabernacle: the house of prayer Prayer: to rest

“Sabbath prayer is a prayer of presence, rather than intercession or supplication.  Sabbath prayer brings us into simply resting in the presence of God.  Sabbath is a tabernacle of time that we can celebrate no matter where we are…  The physical tabernacle was simply a visible reminder of a spiritual reality—that God dwells with us…  When Jesus came, he dwelt among people.  In John 15, he invites us to dwell with him, remain in him, live in him.” (. 186-187)

“Sabbath provides an opportunity (to examine our lives), particularly in a spiritual sense.  Is my life in keeping with God’s plan?  Are my priorities right?  Do I really practice the presence of God?  Sabbath is like a weekly spiritual tune-up in this respect.” (p. 192)

*Desire more? This study builds upon

• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Intro/Chapter 1
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 2
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 1
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 3, Part 2
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 4, Part 1
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 4, Part 2
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 5
• "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity" Discussion: Chapter 6

Theresa prepared the below material to facilitate the conversation (Note: study posted in PDF here). You'll note how our fellowship group's consideration of Rest has themes similar to what is found in Theresa's God at Work Testimony (6/19/2011).  Feel free to share your thoughts with us by comments, email, personal conversation ...