Lessons Learned from Sabbatical

Jesus and the disciples were exhausted. (ED)

Jesus was rejected in His own home town. (Rejection)

The disciples engaged in ministry work. (Work)

John the Baptist was executed. (Grief and Fear)

Feeding the 5,000 (Prepare for the future)

Mark 6:30–32 NLT

30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. 32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

What was our experience. (ANGELA)

Exhausted. (Physical)

Depleted. (Spiritual)

Fearful. (Emotional)

Jesus said: “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

“Let’s go…by ourselves” - a intentional decision and action. (ED)

?? What was our plan for Sabbatical?

?? Did we accomplish what we set out to do?

?? What did we end up doing?

“to a quiet place” - getting away, taking time off, separating from responsibilities. (ANGELA)

?? What was the most difficult challenge?

?? What was the high point?

“Rest awhile” - taking the time to slow down, stop, and relax. (ED)

?? What did we accomplish?

Lessons Learned - and lessons for everyone.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Rest needs to be a routine—a pattern of life. (Forced) (ANGELA)

“Be still and know that I am God.” Stillness and silence need to be regularly experienced. (Choice) (ED)

“Enlarge my boarders.” Establish boundaries and increase margins. 1 Chron 4:10 “10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.” (ANGELA)

We don’t need to do everything.

We don’t need to worry.

We establish and maintain rhythms of rest.

Mark 8:36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Get priorities in the right order (God, marriage, family, work) (ED)

Know your limits. (ANGELA)

I can’t have everything I want - I need to conform to the will and glory of God.

I need to be at peace with limits.

I need to be wise with “yes.”

Gospel Presentation (ED)