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Bible Study: Rest in Jesus

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NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum.

Bible Passage: Matthew 11:28-30

Discussion Questions:

Food for thought:

Of all the promises Jesus made, what is the most precious? That was the question posed to renowned preacher Dwight Lyman “D.L.” Moody, who authored “The Overcoming Life.” How would you have answered that question?

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Moody pondered it for a while, then determined that like a father who has no answer when asked which of his children he loves best, he could not answer the question. Though he could give no direct response, Moody’s reflection led him to conclude that “one of the sweetest” of Jesus’ promises comes from Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

People seek relief from their burdened lives through alcohol, other drugs and all manner of diversion and entertainment. Yet when they arise the next day, their burden has not dissipated. It has perhaps been hidden briefly.

Jesus, on the other hand, promises rest from the burden and assistance in bearing it. Life might never be a bed of roses, but the One who bore to Calvary the weight of all the sin of the world stands ready and more than able to share your burdens and mine if we will but “come” to Him.

What does it mean to come? Moody had ceased to try to define it. He explained: “The best definition is just come. The more you try to explain it, the more you are mystified. You don’t need to go to college to learn how. You don’t need any minister to tell you what it is.” Don’t look for five alliterative points or steps. Don’t expect some sophisticated, complicated process. Just come to Jesus. He will give you the rest you seek. Then you, too, can find this rest, “one of the sweetest” of Jesus’ promises.

MasterWork

MasterWork is an ongoing Bible study curriculum based on works from a variety of renowned authors and offers pertinent, practical messages that adults will find uplifting and enriching. The list of authors and their books to be studied in upcoming months can be found at Lifeway.com/masterwork [3].

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