Rest and Rise Bible Study: Week 2
Hey there, fellow adventurers!
This is Week 2 of the "Rest and Rise: Be Refreshed In Your Work" sneak peak. See Week 1 here.
Walk through a sample study with us every week leading up to the official launch on February 27th.
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And without further ado, please enjoy the excerpt below:
Rest
Find a prayerful position, and fill in the prayer below:
Jesus,
Thank you for ____________________________________________. You are my ____________________ (i.e. provider, friend, Lord).
I give up my cares and plans to You today:
Set a timer for four minutes. Breathe deeply and release every muscle, starting from your toes and working up to your forehead. When your mind starts to wander like an ox for greener pastures, repeat Jesus’s words, “Take my yoke.”
Let me rest my worth in your finished work. Let this offering of silence be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen!
Reflect
“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...” Matthew 11:28-29a
Since the only yolks we usually come into contact with are the ones on the breakfast table, let’s talk about yolk’s homonym, yoke. The word yoke refers to the crossbar that hooks two beasts of burden together for work, such as plowing a field (see above picture).
Previously in the Bible, the word was used to refer to the heavy yoke of the law. But God is our Redeemer. He redeems the word yoke and turns it into an opportunity to work with Him, building our relationship and the Kingdom.
Today, we will cover two characteristics of a yoke: submission and restraint. These aren’t always pleasant words, but the Lord’s yoke is light and easy. Let’s stick together in letting God redefine them.
Why do we even need a yoke in the first place? Why can’t we just do the work by ourselves? Read the following passages and describe what each person needs and why:
"Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'” - Genesis 2:18
"Moses’ father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.'" Exodus 18:17-20
"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" - Ecclesiastes 4:10
What do you need help with today, and why?
Rise
When I wear jeans that fit too snugly, my is breathing restricted and I feel irritable. Hebrews 12:1 says, “let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Let us practice peeling away oppressing sin in exchange for an unhindered pursuit of the Lord. In response, take out one piece of clothing in your closet that feels constricting and distracting, and set it aside to give away.
Write a personal prayer for the day here, incorporating Psalm 40:11 into your prayer of thanksgiving.
