Read Exodus 14:5-31

Consider Thomas Merton's quote.

“There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence…activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence…It kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.”

I would even add that it has the power to kill the root of inner contentment which makes life joyful.

1) How does Thomas Merton's quote sit with you? Resonate? How so? When we don't ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our life, does it wreak violence on our soul? How have you seen this a reality in your own life?

2) What goes on in you when there is not enough time and money to go around? When Pharaoh's horses and chariots are breathing down your neck do you try to manage on your own? Become paralyzed in fear? Or trust God in obedience?

3) Eugene Peterson believes that to treat Sabbath as simply another day off is only making Sabbath nothing but a "Bastard Sabbath". If this is true, what makes Sabbath different?

4) Looking at the 4 key aspects of Sabbath - Stop. Rest. Delight. Contemplate. Which ones are your strong-point? Which ones need to be developed? 

5) Talk about each of your Sabbath practices? What does you Sabbath presently look like? How do you want this spiritual discipline of Sabbath to develop?

Idea: Try to pick one or two of these and try removing them from your Sabbath over the next 4 weeks, and see how it goes.

Things like...

- Work (Laundry, House Cleaning and Maintenance etc.) Anything that drains you.

- Emotional Exhaustion

- Hurriedness

- Multi Tasking

- Competitiveness

- Worry and Anxiety

- Decision Making

- Catching Up on Errands

- Talking

- Technology (particularly your iphone, tablet or computer)