Explore Sherwood’s Vine Resources, a curated collection of handouts to deepen your understanding of God’s character, foster spiritual growth, and guide your study of the Word. Physical copies of these resources are available for free at the Connection Center. For those looking for a complete set, Vine Resource binders, pre-packed with handouts, can be purchased at the Source Bookstore.
When studying the Bible, you always move from general to specific.
There is one interpretation; there are many applications.
Allow Scripture to be your text, not just your proof text.
You must be born again.
Scripture interprets Scripture.
Interpret Scripture literally.
The Bible does not contradict itself.
Sound theology is not developed on a single verse.
What is God’s Design for Men in General?
What is God’s Design for Husbands?
What is God’s Design for Fathers?
Recommended Resources?
What is God’s Design for Women in General?
What is God’s Design for Wives?
What is God’s Design for Mothers?
Recommended Resources?
| Genesis | Narrative/History | Theological history of Israel |
| Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy | Narrative and Law/Legal | Theological history of Israel |
| Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther | Narrative/History | Theological history of Israel |
| Psalms | Poetry/Songs | Emotional praises and cries to God |
| Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs | Wisdom | Wise Living |
| Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi | Prophecy and Apocalyptic | Call Israel to repentance |
| Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts | Narrative/History | Theological history of Christ |
| Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude | Epistle/Letters (personal and public) | Didactic and pastoral letters written to explain theological teaching for the Church |
| Revelation | Apocalyptic | Message of hope for the church |
God’s Voice
Satan’s Voice
Those on the Path of Wisdom
The Path of Wisdom
Those on the Path of Wisdom
The Path of Foolishness
For the Purpose of Knowing God
Reading the Bible devotionally is about spending time with God, in the Word of God, where the focus is on God. The goal is to know God deeply.
To help you focus, read smaller portions of Scripture (maybe 3-5 verses or a paragraph).
Start a journal and write the Bible reference at the top. After reading the text, pray through these questions, wait for God’s response, and write down what He shares.
Take your time in this process. The goal is not to finish every question; the goal is to engage with God (to know Him more). Read for depth, not distance.
1) Who is Jesus?
Complete this statement based on what you see in the text: Jesus is ________________. (Example: Jesus is loving, gracious, Lord, Savior, Healer, God, with us, powerful, wise, etc.)
2) Heavenly Father, help me to know You more through Your Word.
3) What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
4) Who am I in Christ?
5) Is there anything You’d like to say to me today?
When possible, try to make any natural connections back to discipleship. Disciples pursue Jesus by loving God, uniting with believers, serving the world, and entrusting the gospel. Consider what you have heard in the sermon and prayerfully answer the questions below.
Love God
Unite with Believers
Serve the World
Entrust the Gospel
Love, Unite, Serve, Entrust
| Matthew 5:13 | I am the salt of the earth. |
| Matthew 5:14 | I am the light of the world. |
| John 1:12 | I am a child of God (part of His family). (Romans 8:16) |
| John 15:1, 5 | I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of His (Christ’s) life. |
| John 15:15 | I am Christ’s friend. |
| John 15:16 | I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit. |
| Acts 1:8 | I am a personal witness of Christ for Christ. |
| Romans 6:18 | I am a slave of righteousness. |
| Romans 6:22 | I am enslaved to God. |
| Romans 8:14, 15 | I am a son of God (God is my Father). (Galatians 3:26, 4:6) |
| Romans 8:17 | I am a joint-heir with Christ sharing His inheritance with Him. |
| 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19 | I am a temple (home) of God. His Spirit (His life) dwells in me. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:17 | I am joined (united) to the Lord and am one spirit with Him. |
| 1 Corinthians 12:27 | I am a member (part) of Christ’s body. (Ephesians 5:30) |
| 2 Corinthians 5:17 | I am a new creation (new person). |
| 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 | I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation. |
| Galatians 3:26, 28 | I am a son of God and one in Christ. |
| Galatians 4:6-7 | I am an heir of God since I am a son of God. |
| Ephesians 1:1 | I am a saint. (1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2) |
| Ephesians 2:10 | I am God’s workmanship (handiwork) created (born anew) in Christ to do His work that He planned beforehand that I should do. |
| Ephesians 2:19 | I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s people in His family. |
| Ephesians 3:1-4:1 | I am a prisoner of Christ. |
| Ephesians 4:24 | I am righteous and holy. |
| Philippians 3:20 | I am a citizen of heaven and seated in heaven right now (Ephesians 2:6). |
| Colossians 3:3 | I am hidden with Christ in God. |
| Colossians 3:4 | I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life. |
| Colossians 3:12 | I am chosen of God, holy, and dearly loved. |
| 1 Thessalonians 1:4 | I am chosen and dearly loved by God. |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:5 | I am a son of light and not of darkness. |
| Hebrews 3:1 | I am a holy brother, partaker of a heavenly calling. |
| Hebrews 3:14 | I am a partaker of Christ. I share in His life. |
| 1 Peter 2:5 | I am one of God’s living stones and am being built up (in Christ) as a spiritual house. |
| 1 Peter 2:9,10 | I am a chosen race. a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession to proclaim the excellencies of Him. |
| 1 Peter 2:11 | I am an alien and stranger to this world I temporarily live in. |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | I am an enemy of the devil. |
| 1 John 3:1,2 | I am now a child of God. I will resemble Christ when He returns. |
| 1 John 5:18 | I am born of God and the evil one (the devil) can’t touch me. |
| Psalm 23 & 100 | I am a sheep of His pasture. Therefore, I have everything I need. |
His Attributes
His Symbols
His Names
The Holy Spirit…
Sabbath in the Old Testament for Israel
Sabbath as a Word: There are two primary words for rest in Hebrew. Shabbat means to stop working. The word “Sabbath” is derived from shabbat. Nuakh means to dwell, settle, or abide. God introduced both words around the same time. In the creation account, God worked for six days and rested (shabbat) on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). After God created humans, He “rests them” or “settles them” (nuakh) in the garden with Him (Genesis 2:15). The literary structure communicates a link between shabbat and nuakh. God rests from His work (shabbat) and then He settles (nuakh) His people to dwell with them.
Sabbath as a Day: Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. On Sabbath, the children of Israel were to rest from their work in remembrance of God resting from His work in creation. He created the universe in six days and “rested” on the seventh day (Exodus 20:8-11). Observing Sabbath was outlined in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 16:23-29; 31:14-16; 34:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Jeremiah 17:21-27).
Sabbath as a Sign: Sabbath was a sign of perpetual covenant between Israel and God (Exodus 31:12-13, 16-17). This sign was unique to Israel. God never commanded a Gentile nation to observe the seventh day (Psalm 147:19-20).
Sabbath as a Reminder: When Sabbath was given to Israel, Moses reminded them that they were slaves in Egypt and God rescued them (Deuteronomy 5:15). It reminded them of where they were and what God did. As slaves, they were unable to stop working. As God’s people, they were called to rest.
Sabbath as a Place: God didn’t just call Israel out of bondage in Egypt, He brought them into abundance in Canaan. Prior to entering the land, God said to Moses, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). God owned the land of rest (Leviticus 25:23).
Sabbath for Creation: Rest was important for every aspect of creation. God instructed rest for people, land, and animals. Exodus 23:10-12 says, “You shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.” Similar instructions regarding land are found in Leviticus 25:4.
Sabbath in the New Testament for Christians
Sabbath as a Day: While the Jewish people met in synagogues on the Sabbath (Mark 6:2; Luke 4:31; Acts 13:14, 27, 42-44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2, etc.), the New Testament does not command that the Sabbath be the day of worship. Traditionally, Christians have held their primary corporate worship services on Sundays, the first day of the week, to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). However, it’s not commanded that Sunday be the only day for Christians to worship either. In fact, Acts 2:46-47 tells us that Christians met daily. When New Testament passages describe Christians meeting on the Sabbath (Acts through Revelation), it was for evangelistic efforts at Jewish synagogues (Acts 13-18; 1 Corinthians 9:20).
Sabbath as a Law: The church is not under Mosaic Law. We are free from Sabbath-keeping regulations (Romans 14:5-6a; Galatians 4:9-10). Christians are free to observe a special day or live like every day is special (Romans 14:5-6; Colossians 2:16).
Sabbath as a Principle: Jesus called to those who are weary and burdened and offered to give them rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Hebrews 4:1-13 has much to say about the believer’s rest.
Misunderstandings of Sabbath
Some believe Sabbath law was instituted in Eden because of the connection between God’s rest and creation. While God’s rest on the seventh day was a foreshadowing of the coming Sabbath law, there is no record of the children of Israel practicing a full understanding of Sabbath before leaving Egypt.
Some groups view Sabbath as the only legitimate day for Christians to attend worship services (i.e. Seventh Day Adventists). This view does not align with New Testament teachings as shown in the previous section.
Some groups believe that Christians are required to practice Sabbath-keeping according to Mosaic Law. However, Christians are free from the bondage of the Law (Galatians 4:1-6; Romans 6:14). There is spiritual freedom and not a command from God.
Some groups believe that since Sabbath-keeping is part of Mosaic Law, there is no value in observing principles of Sabbath. While believers are no longer under the Law, there are related principles of rest in Scripture that are not connected to the Law (i.e. creation, sleep, weariness from work, spiritual rest, etc.). There is freedom to walk in biblical wisdom.
God’s design for rest leads us down a path of remembrance, refreshment, and refinement. As we act upon related principles from Scripture, we are better positioned to enjoy meaningful rest.
Principle 1: Rest requires personal discipline. We cannot be involved in everything and experience meaningful rest. It takes discipline to say “no” to certain activities. Sabbath was to be a counterbalance to the busyness of life. The rituals surrounding Sabbath were never intended to torture the faithful, but to get people into a mindset of rest. Rest requires discipline.
Principle 2: Rest involves humble trust. When we say “no” to more activity and “yes” to meaningful rest, it creates boundaries that protect us, our families, and biblical priorities. We are better positioned to walk by faith, be led by the Spirit, and run the race with endurance. Rest fuels kingdom usefulness. By resting, we’re saying, “God, I trust you more than my efforts.”
Principle 3: Rest includes elements of beauty and joy. Part of our rest is enjoying what was done while working. After creating the world, God saw “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). He didn’t just cease from work, He enjoyed what He made. Rest gives us time to enjoy God, enjoy His creation, enjoy His blessings, and enjoy the fruits of our labors.
Principle 4: Rest is satisfied in completed work. When God finished His work of creation, He was satisfied with His work, and He rested from His work (Genesis 2:2). When we have done what God has called us to do (to the best of our ability through the grace given to us), we can be satisfied that it is enough. We can rest in completed work.
Principle 5: Rest is fully experienced with God. There are two primary words for rest in Hebrew. Shabbat means to stop working. Nuakh means to dwell, settle, or abide. After creation, God rested from His work on the seventh day (shabbat; Genesis 2:2-3) and He settled His people in the garden to dwell with Him (nuakh; Genesis 2:15). True rest comes in God’s presence.
Principle 6: Rest reminds us of redemption. The story of Sabbath includes creation, betrayal, redemption, covenant, promises, and freedom. By practicing Sabbath, Israel was reminded of where God found them and what He did to redeem them. The same basic principle applies to those in Christ. Our ability to enjoy God’s rest was made possible by redemption.
Principle 7: Rest is a declaration of freedom. If someone cannot stop working, they are effectively enslaved to work. In Deuteronomy 5:12-15, God connected Sabbath to freeing the Hebrew people from slavery. By practicing Sabbath, they declared their freedom. In a similar way, our rest shows that we are not enslaved to our work.
Principle 8: Rest distinguishes us from the world. Sabbath was given as a covenant sign between God and Israel (Exodus 31:12–17). It marked God’s people as different and served as a witness to pagan neighbors who had no distinctions for the seventh day. Taking time to rest will set us apart from others. Busyness is the norm; rest is counter-cultural.
Principle 9: Rest allows for reflection on eternal matters. Sabbath reminded Israel of who they were, where God found them, and what God did for them (Exodus 20:15). By observing Sabbath, it provided a weekly reminder of God’s interaction and plan with His people. When we take time to rest, we can reflect upon God’s interaction and plan for us.
Principle 10: Rest calms us when easily annoyed. When we enter God’s rest, He brings perfect peace. God’s rest helps calm us of things that disturb us. Some people stay mentally and emotionally stirred up. In Christ, we have perfect peace.
Principle 11: Rest enables us to be settled and secure. When we enter God’s rest, we are freed from chasing philosophies, religions, and experiences to find inner peace. We’re established, settled, and rooted in Christ. It was symbolized as Canaan rest in the Old Testament. It’s realized by Calvary rest in the New Testament.
Principle 12: Rest is forfeited when we cling to sin. The problem of restlessness began in the garden. Unbelief led to sin, sin led to restlessness, but for those who trust God, rest can be restored. Through the gospel of Jesus, we are delivered from the penalty and power of sin. However, when we refuse to repent of known sin, we forfeit the peace with God.
Principle 13: Rest restores wholeness on three levels. Sabbath rest impacts the whole person. Physically, Sabbath calls the person to cease from their labors (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). Emotionally, Sabbath calls the person to stop trying to prove themselves, but rest in their identity from God (Exodus 6:7). Spiritually, Sabbath calls the person to cease trying to make themselves right with God and rest deeply in the finished work of Jesus (Hebrews 4:1-10).
Principle 14: Rest encourages openness with God. Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us that God’s Word reveals the thoughts, intentions, and reasons of our hearts. It shows why we do what we do. Our lives are laid bare before God. When we are diligent to enter God’s rest (Hebrews 4:11), we stop trying to hide from God (Hebrews 4:12-13). We stop hiding our flaws and imperfections behind the proverbial fig leaves of life. We live in the light and rest from the work under the work.
Meaningful rest does not just happen. In a world that is constantly pushing for more, rest requires the discipline to know when to stop and how to refuel.
Evaluating Life
It’s good to pause and reflect over the current state of your life. Sometimes, we’re unable to rest because of issues we’re unwilling to address or changes we need to make. It may be helpful to walk through these categories and questions every week, month, or quarter.
Course Adjustments
If you recognize areas in need of change, list those adjustments in simple statements. To keep from being overwhelmed, limit the list to five changes and pray for God’s grace to change. How would you finish this statement? I believe God is prompting me to…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Understanding Self
Every person is different. What fuels one person will drain another person. It’s important to understand personality type (introvert/ extrovert), personal desires (likes, passions, dreams), individual schedules (work, family, church, recreation), and season of life (single, married, family, retired). To practice the discipline of meaningful rest, you need to recognize what drains you and what fills you. You will not be able to avoid everything that drains you. Nor will you be able to do only things that fill you. However, you can make a conscious effort to balance each list and emphasize “the filling list” during times of rest.
What fills me? Include things that bring you joy, encourage you, excite you, or make you feel full. Possibilities may include prayer, reading, time with family or friends, gardening, taking a nap, etc.
When preparing for meaningful rest, try to minimize the things that drain you (or avoid them if possible) and focus your plans on things that fill you. Walking through this discipline will help you schedule time more effectively, focus on God more fully, understand yourself more deeply, and learn to rest more completely.
Date: __/__/__
Length of Rest: __ (Hours/Days)
What is My Plan for Rest (Sabbath)?
___
Does My Plan Lead Me To:
Weekly Reflections:
What did I learn, discover, or do this week that stretched me? How am I growing? __
How did God bless my life this week? What should I celebrate? What am I thankful for? __
What is God currently teaching me? What topics is He continually bringing to mind? __
Where is God calling me to trust and obey? Am I faithfully acting on what He said? __
How am I experiencing God in my life today? Can I see God’s influence in the way I do my job, relate to people, make decisions, steward time, use resources, engage the kingdom, etc.? __
What did I observe by resting with God today? What did He reveal about Himself and me? Where am I struggling to rest? What has me distracted? How does the gospel apply? __
