Saturday or Sabbath Keeepers

June 15, 2024 Study Guides

Sermon Study Guide

“Saturday or Sabbath Keepers”

Main Passage: Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Hebrews 8:10-12

How to Use This Study Guide

This study guide is designed to help deepen your understanding of the Sabbath commandment as taught in the sermon “Saturday or Sabbath Keepers.” Whether you are engaging in personal Bible study, participating in a small group discussion, leading a Sabbath School class, or conducting family worship, these sessions are structured to encourage reflection, learning, and application of God’s Word.

📖 Scripture Focus: Each session begins with a key Bible passage to ground our study in Scripture.
💭 Teaching Points: Thoughtful explanations of the sermon’s main messages, unpacking the biblical truths and their significance.
❓ Discussion Questions: Questions designed to provoke reflection, conversation, and deeper insight into the topic.
✍️ Personal Application: Practical steps to help you live out the truths of the Sabbath in your daily life.

Session 1: The Sabbath as a Memorial of Creation (Exodus 20:8-11; Genesis 2:1-3)

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:8-11, ESV)

Teaching Summary:

The Sabbath is rooted in the very foundation of creation. God Himself rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired, but to set an example for humanity. This rest is a “cathedral in time,” a sacred space where we can meet with our Creator regardless of location or status.
The biblical day begins at sundown, which means the Sabbath starts Friday evening and ends Saturday evening. Recognizing this restores the original meaning and timing of the Sabbath, distinguishing it from modern calendar interpretations.
The Sabbath reminds us God’s creation was “very good” and that His gifts are life-giving and sustaining. It rebukes despair and reminds us that death and suffering are not part of God’s original plan.
The Sabbath is inclusive—God gives this gift to every person equally, regardless of social status or background. It declares that all humanity is loved and valued by God, affirming our worth as His creation.
Observing the Sabbath helps us pause in a world that often moves relentlessly, preventing burnout and restoring our relationships with God and others by emphasizing rest and renewal.

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think God chose to rest on the seventh day instead of continuing to work?
How does understanding the biblical reckoning of the day (starting at sundown) affect your view of the Sabbath?
In what ways does the Sabbath declare God’s love for all humanity?
How might taking a Sabbath rest help prevent burnout in your life?
What does the Sabbath reveal to us about God’s original intention for the world?

Personal Application:

Begin observing the Sabbath from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown this week, dedicating this time to rest and worship.
Use the Sabbath to intentionally pause from work and busyness, focusing on renewing your relationship with God and loved ones.
Reflect on God’s creation during the Sabbath, perhaps by spending time outdoors or reading Genesis 1 and 2 to appreciate His creative work.

Session 2: The Sabbath as a Celebration of Salvation (Exodus 5:1-5; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Exodus 15:1-2)

“Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15, ESV)

Teaching Summary:

The Sabbath is not only a memorial of creation but also a celebration of God’s deliverance. The Israelites were commanded to keep the Sabbath as a reminder that God freed them from slavery in Egypt—a powerful symbol of salvation.
This deliverance points forward to our spiritual salvation. Just as God led Israel out of physical bondage, He leads us out of slavery to sin through Jesus Christ. The Sabbath becomes a weekly proclamation of our freedom in Him.
The Sabbath is a celebration of righteousness by faith. It acknowledges our inability to save ourselves and directs our trust to God’s grace and mercy revealed at Calvary.
By resting on the Sabbath, we confess our need for divine help and celebrate the forgiveness and new life God offers us, moving from guilt and shame to freedom and hope.
The song of Moses (Exodus 15) celebrates God’s triumph and salvation, and Sabbath observance invites us to join in this eternal song of praise and gratitude towards our Deliverer.

Discussion Questions:

How does remembering God’s deliverance from Egypt shape the way we view the Sabbath?
In what ways does the Sabbath help you reflect on your own salvation experience?
Why is the Sabbath described as a celebration of righteousness by faith?
How can Sabbath rest deepen your trust in God’s grace rather than your own efforts?
What does it mean for the Sabbath to be a weekly opportunity to “sing the song of Moses”?

Personal Application:

Use the Sabbath as a day to consciously thank God for your salvation and freedom from sin.
Reflect on areas in your life where you need to surrender control and rely more fully on God’s grace.
Consider sharing your personal testimony of deliverance with someone this week as a form of Sabbath witness.

Session 3: The Sabbath as a Sign of Covenant Relationship (Exodus 19:3-6; Exodus 31:13,16-17; Hebrews 8:10-12)

“Surely my Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 31:13, ESV)

Teaching Summary:

The Sabbath serves as a tangible sign of God’s covenant with His people. At Mount Sinai, God established a special relationship with Israel, calling them His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.
This covenant is not only for ancient Israel but is extended to the New Testament church and all believers, as Peter confirms. Through Christ, we enter into a new covenant sealed by faith and baptism.
The Sabbath signifies sanctification—God’s work of making us holy and more like Jesus. It reminds us daily that we are in a process of spiritual growth and transformation.
It also symbolizes reconciliation. The Sabbath reflects restored relationship with God where sin’s barrier is removed, and intimacy with Him is renewed.
The covenant promises include God writing His law on our hearts, mercy for our sins, and full knowledge of Him by all His people, highlighting the intimate nature of this bond.

Discussion Questions:

What does it mean for the Sabbath to be a “sign” between God and His people?
How does Sabbath keeping express our commitment to God’s covenant?
In what ways does the Sabbath encourage ongoing sanctification in your life?
How can you experience the Sabbath as a day of reconciliation with God and others?
What are some practical ways to live out your role as part of God’s “kingdom of priests and holy nation” during the Sabbath?

Personal Application:

Reflect on your personal covenant relationship with God and how Sabbath observance can nurture that bond.
Commit to using the Sabbath as a weekly opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth in holiness.
Pray for God’s mercy and grace to help you live out your calling as His treasured possession.

Session 4: Sabbath Rest and Its Blessings in a Busy World (Isaiah 14:28; Psalm 19:1-4; John 7:38)

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28, ESV)

Teaching Summary:

God’s rest on the Sabbath is not due to fatigue but is a divine invitation for us to pause and reset amid our busy lives. Without it, we risk exhaustion, burnout, and strained relationships.
The Sabbath restores our sense of awe and transcendence, reconnecting us with the Creator who governs the vast and orderly universe. It reminds us of God’s majesty beyond our immediate concerns.
God’s presence specially blesses the Sabbath, making it a sacred time infused with His peace and power, unlike any other day of the week.
The Sabbath offers a spiritual “flow” of God’s love, cleansing our hearts and minds from the bitterness and burdens of life, much like living water flowing through a pipe.
Observing the Sabbath helps us maintain mental, emotional, and physical health, offering rest that renews body, mind, and spirit in harmony with God’s design.

Discussion Questions:

How does the Sabbath reflect God’s character as both transcendent and imminent?
What are some ways you have experienced burnout, and how might Sabbath rest help prevent it?
How can the Sabbath deepen your worship and appreciation of God’s majesty?
How does thinking of the Sabbath as “living water” flowing through your life change your perspective on rest?
In what ways can you protect your Sabbath rest from the distractions of modern life?

Personal Application:

This Sabbath, intentionally set aside time to marvel at God’s creation—whether through nature or Scripture—and allow that to inspire worship.
Turn off electronic devices and media during the Sabbath to minimize distraction and create space for spiritual refreshment.
Practice inviting God’s presence into your Sabbath rest by including prayer, praise, and quiet reflection as central activities.

Session 5: The Sabbath and End-Time Faithfulness (Revelation 14:6-7; Revelation 13:16-17)

“Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7, ESV)

Teaching Summary:

The Sabbath will be a defining issue in the final conflict between God and Satan, symbolizing true worship of the Creator in contrast to false worship enforced by worldly powers.
The choice to honor the Sabbath or follow man-made traditions is a choice of obedience—to God’s authority or to human authority—echoing the apostles’ stand to obey God rather than men.
In the last days, the Sabbath will be a sign of faithfulness and loyalty to God, contrasting with the mark of the beast, which represents allegiance to false worship.
This conflict is already unfolding in various forms today, reminding us to be vigilant and grounded in Scripture as we choose whom to obey.
Keeping the Sabbath is not only a personal blessing but a public testimony that we belong to God and trust His Word above all else.

Discussion Questions:

Why is the Sabbath so central to the end-time message in Revelation?
How does the Sabbath reflect obedience to God’s authority rather than human traditions?
What practical challenges might you face in keeping the Sabbath in today’s culture, and how can you prepare for them spiritually?
How can Sabbath keeping be a witness to others about God’s faithfulness and truth?
What does it mean for you personally to choose God’s authority in your worship and life?

Personal Application:

Commit to studying end-time Bible prophecies related to the Sabbath to strengthen your understanding and faith.
Pray for courage and wisdom to stand firm in Sabbath observance, even when it is countercultural or challenging.
Look for opportunities to share with others the importance of the Sabbath as a sign of loyalty to God in these last days.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious gift of the Sabbath—a sacred gift that reminds us of Your creative power, Your redeeming love, and Your covenant faithfulness. Help us to be true Sabbath keepers, not merely Saturday keepers, embracing this holy day as a time to worship You, rest in Your presence, and reflect Your grace to the world around us. May Your Holy Spirit guide us into deeper obedience and joy as we honor You each Sabbath day. Strengthen us to stand firm in these truths, especially in challenging times, and use us as ambassadors of Your love and light. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.