Opening Question

• What’s the worst Christmas song?

Read and Discuss

Exodus 1:11,13-14 NASB 1995

11 So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. 13 The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.

Exodus 2:23-24

Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

• During their time in Egypt, what were things like for the Israelites?
• What role, if any, did celebration play in the Israelite culture while they were in slavery?
• What are some things that make it difficult for you to celebrate?

Leviticus 23:2-4 NLT

2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly. 3 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live. 4 “In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.

• When God was giving the Israelites instructions how to live in freedom, why did He assign days of rest, festivals, and celebrations?
• Why is rest and celebration so important to the Lord?
• What are some ways you rest in the Lord?
• How do you celebrate the Lord?

Colossian 2:16-17 NLT

16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

• What is Paul telling the Colossians about celebrating?
• How do those celebrations, Sabbaths, and ceremonies point to the reality of Christ?

Apply it!

• What can you do this year, or what do you currently do to keep Christ at the center of your celebrations?
• What can you do this week to take time to rest in the Lord?

Memorize it!

Colossian 2:16 NLT

16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for giving us rest in Him.

Adoration- Worship the Lord for how He has rescued the oppressed, and saved us from slavery to sin

Confess to the times you’ve made celebration about you instead of the Lord

Others- Pray for someone who is in need this season; who feels hurt, trapped, and alone. Pray that God would help you comfort them and point them to Jesus’ love

Self- Pray that the Lord would help you rest in Him this season.