Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Main Idea
TRUE REST IS FOUND IN JESUS.
Outline
Discussion Questions
WHAT IS LABOR?
1. Jesus invites those who “labor and are heavy laden” to come to Jesus. What kinds of burdens do people carry in everyday life?
2. Why is work itself a good and necessary part of life?
3. Scripture calls us to work, provide for our families, and avoid laziness. Why are Christians called to take those responsibilities seriously?
4. Beyond providing physically, what does it look like to provide spiritually for your family?
5. Our church is blessed with many hardworking people. How can a good desire to work hard slowly become an idol in our lives?
6. What are some signs that work, success, productivity, or providing has become an idol rather than a responsibility?
7. How can we avoid both extremes—laziness on one side and making an idol out of work on the other?
WHAT IS REST?
1. Jesus says, “I will give you rest,” what kind of rest is Jesus offering?
2. Why is biblical rest more than simply taking time off or getting enough sleep?
3. At the same time, what does the physical act of sleeping remind us about our dependence on God?
4. How does going to sleep help remind us that we are not God?
5. Jesus describes Jesus’s yoke as easy and Jesus’s burden as light. What does that teach us about following Jesus?
6. What burdens are you carrying right now that you need to entrust more fully to Jesus?
HOW CAN I ENTER THE KINGDOM?
1. According to verses 25–27, why can no one come to know God simply through intelligence, effort, or accomplishment?
2. What does Jesus’s invitation, “Come to me,” teach us about where salvation and true rest are found?
3. Why can we not work hard enough, behave well enough, or accomplish enough to earn our way into the Kingdom?
4. How does the Gospel free us from trying to prove ourselves before God?
5. Jesus invites us not only to come to Jesus but also to “take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” What does that tell us about the life that follows salvation?
6. When we take Communion, how does the bread and the cup remind us that our hope is found in a Savior rather than in ourselves?
Looking Forward
Jesus invites weary and burdened people to come to Jesus and find rest. What is one burden, responsibility, or area of your life that you need to stop carrying in your own strength and more intentionally entrust to Jesus this week?
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
• Wisdom to work faithfully without making work or productivity an idol
• Rest that comes from trusting God rather than trying to control everything ourselves
• Gratitude that salvation is found in Jesus rather than in our own effort