This is part of an ongoing series on the Cornerstone Confirmation Curriculum we are developing at First Trinity Lutheran Church. (Main Confirmation Page)
God is our source of rest. He calls us to a Sabbath day of rest once/week.
Read Exodus 20:8
- Underline: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Write: “3rd Commandment” or “3C”
Sabbath in the Old Testament
Leviticus 23:3
- Underline: the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.
- Write: OT: Sabbath = Saturday
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was only on Saturday and could not be observed on any other day. No work was to be done on this day of any kind. Anything you needed for the day should be prepared the day before so that you do not have to work.
Sabbath in the New Testament
Read Mark 2:27–28
- Underline: The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
- Write: Sabbath is FOR us!
Over time, people came to understand that man was made for the Sabbath. In other words, they thought God valued the Sabbath more than them. But Jesus turns this teaching upside down. In fact, the very opposite was true. God knew that we needed a day of rest and so He commanded a Sabbath day specifically because He loved us and knew we needed it.
Sabbath Today
Read Matthew 11:28-30
- Underline: 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.
- Write: Jesus brings rest.
Hebrews 10:25
- Underline: not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
- Write: Worship together!
Luke 24:1-2
- Underline: But on the first day of the week, … they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
- Write: Easter Sunday
Today, most Christians celebrate the Sabbath on a Sunday. This is because we understand that Jesus is the true source of rest for His people. As the early church formed and grew, they chose the first day of the week (Sunday) as their Sabbath day of rest and worship because that was the day that Jesus had risen from the dead. There is no other special significance to this day over any other. The critical point is not what day you celebrate the Sabbath, but rather that you choose at least one day to set aside time to rest in Jesus.
How do we keep this Commandment?
Acts 2:42-47
- Underline: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
- Write: God’s Word and Worship
We continue to keep this Commandment by gathering with other believers to learn from God’s Word and to Worship together on a weekly basis. We join together to praise God for who He is and to remember what He has done for us. It is our time to be refreshed and recharged for the week ahead, and the ministry that God has prepared in advance for us to do.