Sharing Scripture — August 15 – 21

This is a tool for you to use if you lead a Sabbath School (SS) class or small group. It is keyed to the Bible texts used in the current week’s Adult SS lesson and includes a brief story from current news you can use to introduce the discussion and then a series of discussion questions in a relational pattern designed to build fellowship and spiritual reflection.

Free to Rest

For use: August 15 – 21, 2021

Texts: Mark 2:1–12; 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 19:1–8; Matthew 5:1–3; Isaiah 53:4–6; 2 Kings 2:11

“I’ve had enough.”

These words uttered by the great prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:4) have perhaps never resounded more strongly across space and time than they do in our current age of social unrest, political instability, and health uncertainties. Afghans seek refuge from Taliban rule, Haitians hurry to find loved ones claimed by a massive earthquake as a tropical storm weaves through the country, and the Delta variant leaves small businesses gasping for air as hospitals overflow with COVID victims.

It’s times like these that have people pulling their hair out and wanting to run away from the challenges this world poses. Although the Scriptures remind us to hand our fear to God, even Moses and Elijah fell victim to bouts of anxiety, so it seems like we have a right to freak out. Fortunately, no one better understands that than our empathetic Creator.

As Jesus walked the earth, He not only witnessed many horrors but also lived them (Isaiah 53:4-6), losing a close friend, His city, and ultimately His life. He, too, sought refuge from the sins of the world, another way out, when He pleaded “Take this cup away from Me” (Luke 22:39-46).

God knows what it is to tire from worry, and provides the rest we need to regroup and face the world with a renewed–refreshed–perspective. Christ was able to rest in the grave before reconvening with His disciples and giving them the Great Commission (Matthew 28). Likewise, God granted the exhausted and terrified Elijah rest, food and drink (1 Kings 19:1-8) before Elijah resumed the crusade against Ahab and Jezebel. But it took Elijah’s and Christ’s trust in the unchanging, loving and generous Deliverer to make this rest possible.

We’re all more than a little tired, and ready to shout “I’ve had enough, Lord!” God is waiting with our pillows and bedding in hand. We just need to open our eyes to see it.

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