Sabbath Week
Monday, July 1st - Sunday, July 7th
Exodus 20:8-11
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping 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, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
For the week of July 1st, Discovery wants to give an opportunity to practice Sabbath. For many of us our lives are busy, there’s a lot going on, and finding time to rest in the presence of God can be tough. Toward that end, we are claiming an entire week out of the year for our people to practice Sabbath. This means there will be no services on Sunday, July 7th. Instead, we want to challenge our people to ask themselves what it looks like to intentionally Sabbath this week and into Sunday. Below, we have some ideas to help you get started.
Silence and Solitude: How often do you truly experience silence and solitude? If you’re someone who doesn’t get this opportunity often, this might be the practice for you. Find a place away from distractions, away from your devices, and away from people and take time to rest in the presence of God.
Community and Fellowship: Who are people who are life-giving and restful for you? If there’s someone who comes to mind whose presence brings rest to your soul - take them out for coffee, go for a walk, or find time to spend together.
Nature: For some, being in nature is the best place to practice the presence of God. Around Colorado there are dozens of different trails, hikes, and areas to get out and experience the beauty of God’s creation. If you’re looking for a place you might try Chautaqua, Horsetooth, Estes or even somewhere as close as McKay Lake.
Fun: In our planned out lives, sometimes the best way to rest is to seek out fun. What is something life-giving you might not always have time for?
Study: Open up to a book of the Bible and take a deep look. If you’re looking for a place to start, we recommend the book of John as it focuses heavily on the divinity of Jesus. There are also a few apps you can get for your phone with daily readings, studies, and devotionals. A few are: Lectio 365, Pray as you go, and Bible. We also recommend the book Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. His look at Sabbath through the lens of hurry and change are remarkable.
Sermon Resources
If you’re looking for a few sermons where we talk about Sabbath, here are links to a few places to start: