Theology of Rest. RCCG Sunday School Manual.

MEMORY VERSE: “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” – Genesis 2:2 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 20:8-11 

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Rest is the cessation of work or movement in order to relax or recover strength. It can also be referred to as peace, ease or refreshment. To relax means to become less tense, anxious or firm; to relieve stress; to have a milder manner. God created for six days and then He rested, not because He was tired but to set the standard for mankind to follow (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:10).

LESSON OUTLINES

1. WHY REST?
2. HOW DO WE REST?

1. WHY REST?

God set the example of rest in Genesis 2:2-3 when He ceased from creating. Rest is a divine command (Exodus 20:10) as well as a gift from God to man (Mark 2:27). Though Jesus did not take a vacation from His ministry, He did take times off to refresh and also ensured His disciples did the same (Mark 6:31; John 18:1-2). In resting, we declare our dependence on God and exercise our faith in His provision (Matthew 6:25). Rest brings about recuperation from fatigue (Luke 8:23). Rest also serves as a relief from the anxiety of the mind and spirit (Psalm 55:22). God desires rest for His people (Exodus 33:14; Job 11:18).

2. HOW DO WE REST?

In order to rest, we must first and foremost trust that God will take care of things for us (1Peter 5:7). Obedience will bring the rest that God so desires for us (Hebrews 3:7-8). Without being complacent, we must learn to relax our grip on many things in life that stress us negatively e.g. career, bills, families, etc. and give them over to God in faith (Proverbs 3:5-6). We should take time to rest properly after a good day’s job (Ecclesiastes 5:12a). At least, a believer should have a day off to rest or relax in a week (Exodus 20:10). Going on vacation or visiting places for recreation is biblical and should be part of our schedule (John 18:1-2).

The command to rest is not an excuse to be lazy. You have to work for ‘six days’ to get to the ‘Sabbath.’

CONCLUSION
For the Christian, the ultimate rest is found in Christ. He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to him and cast their cares on Him (Matthew 11:28; 1Peter 5:7).

QUESTION

1. Why do we need rest?
2. Mention four (4) ways by which we can rest.

ASSIGNMENT: Do you take time to rest? Share your rest routine (No Mark).

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?