SABBATH REFORMS

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

KNOW and UNDERSTAND the history and importance of the Sabbath; COMPARE observances of the Sabbath and the Lord's Day; UNDERSTAND how the concept of Sabbath is valuable to saints today.

FOCAL VERSES  NEHEMIAH 13:15

KEEP IN MIND 

"And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of the mercy" (Nehemiah 13:22)

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Sabbath Observance (Nehemiah 13:15-18)

2. Keeping the Sabbath (vv.19-22)

IN FOCUS

John volunteered as a Sunday School worker at this church. He also worked full time to support his wife and three kids. God blessed him with a promotion at his job, which required that he work beyond a normal 9 to 5 day. Sometimes he traveled to do site visits out of town, and due to the economy, his company laid of several people. John did not get laid off, but his workload increased to make up the shortfall in the reduction of staff. 

Because of his heavy workload and travel schedule, John began to miss a lot of Sunday School. Most Sundays he was to tired to attend Sunday School, and sometimes he would miss church altogether. His wife became very concerned and discussed her feelings with John, be he refused to listen. She turned to their pastor. The pastor explained that God gave the Sabbath so that we would rest and be open to hearing His voice. We also honor the Lord's Day and keep it sacred to worship God. 

We must always give God the first fruits of everything he He afford us, and He will in turn bless us with more-including our time. Today's lesson is about honoring the Sabbath. 

BACKGROUND

After the nation of Judah rebuilt the wall, the Israelites continued to slowly rebuild their nation. Rebuilding their nation required not just the physical effort of constructing houses, roads, and the Temple. Their laws, ordinances, and spiritual framework needed reshaping too. The wall provided safety and security from outsiders and set a boundary around them as a nation. As a result, immediately following the wall's completion, scribes read the Law aloud to inform and set the groundwork for their constitution. 

Once the Law was read, this motivated the remnant in Judah to confess their sins and recommit to God as a nation based on the original law He ordered. They made a covenant and set out detailed obligations, which they would comply with in order to please God. This document se the legal framework for their establishment as a nation, with Nehemiah as governor the land. He and the people voted for leaders to rule over various provinces set up across Jerusalem. In addition, the Levites were established as priests, and procedures were created for the Temple such as Levitical priest service, tithes, and worship. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What were the Israelites doing that contributed to their breaking the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:15-20)?

2. What negative things could occur when the Israelites profaned the Sabbath (vv.18, 21)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING 

1. Describe the various meanings of the Sabbath and the reasons why saints should "keep it"?

2. Develop a plan for John (In focus) to show him where he is wasting time because he is falling to give God time. 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Some of the biggest problems facing America is its diminishing reliance on God, decline in church attendance, and reduced regard for Christian-based principles. How can saints in the United States help reverse this trend and work toward building up America?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

The busyness of life can distract us from performing basic duties, such as reading the Bible, praying, and mediating on God's Word, and attending church. Due to family commitments, job responsibilities, and many other tasks we must do each day, sometimes we forget or neglect to take time out for God. As you go through this week, make a point each day to spend time talking to God. If you feel as though time will not permit, try God. You will see that once you take time for Him, He will in turn give you the time required to take care of everything you need. 

(Except from the Apostolic Way)

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