Brethren,
Lord willing, I plan to send a short email like this each week to help us prepare for the Lord’s Day throughout the week—not merely arrive at Sunday, but lean into it with prayer, Scripture, and expectation.
Yesterday, we considered Genesis 2:1–3 and the “genesis” (origin) of the Sabbath—God blessing a day and making it holy. The Lord’s Day is not meant to be a leftover corner of our schedule, but a weekly gift: duty and delight, a reminder of dependence, a driving force for our calling, and a destination we long for.
Below are five days of readings and reflection questions, suitable for both adults and children. Feel free to adapt and adjust the pace to suit your household.
Day 1 — Sabbath Defined: Blessed & Holy
Readings: Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:8–11; Mark 2:23–28
Reflect (Adults)
• What does it mean that God blessed the seventh day? What does “blessing” often produce in Scripture (fruitfulness, increase, good)? Can you think of any examples outside of those cited in the message?
• What does it mean that God made the day holy (set apart)? Set apart from what and set apart to whom?
• How does understanding that the Sabbath was instituted before the fall change your perspective on whether it’s merely an Old Testament ceremonial law or a creation ordinance for all humanity?
• Where do you most feel the pull to treat the Lord’s Day as “common”? What would it look like to treat it as the Lord’s?
• How does the shift from the seventh day to the first day of the week reflect the significance of Christ’s resurrection as a new creation event that literally resets time itself?
Talk with Children
• Who made the world? What did God do on the seventh day?
• What does it mean for something to be “special” or “set apart” for God?
• What is one thing we can do on Sunday that helps us remember it belongs to the Lord?
Day 2 — Sabbath as Duty (Imitating God)
Readings: Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 2:1–3; 1 John 2:3–6
Reflect (Adults)
• Why is it “inconceivable” that Adam and Eve would treat the sanctified day with indifference?
• In what ways does keeping the Lord’s Day help train our hearts in obedience the rest of the week?
• What are the dangers on both sides: (1) ignoring the day, (2) turning it into a man-made rulebook?
• When you hear that something is a duty, what is your natural reaction? Why?
Talk with Children
• What does it mean to obey God because we love Him?
• Why do we go to church each week?
• What is one way we can help our family get ready for Sunday?
Day 3 — Sabbath as Delight (Not Drudgery)
Readings: Isaiah 58; Psalm 84:1–4, 10; Hebrews 10:24–25
Reflect (Adults)
• Do you call the Sabbath a delight—honestly? What makes it feel like delight, and what makes it feel like drudgery?
• What does your Saturday night (or Sunday morning) communicate about what you believe Sunday is for?
• What is one practical change you can make this week to reduce friction and increase joy (sleep, meals, clothing, planning, screen habits, travel, etc.)?
• How can you help others experience the day as a delight (hospitality, encouragement, prayer, patience with children, serving quietly)?
• How does Jesus’ statement, “The Sabbath was made for man,” protect us from both neglect and legalism?
Talk with Children
• What is something you love about Sundays?
• Why is it good to be with God’s people?
• How can we make Sundays a happy, peaceful day in our home?
Day 4 — Dependence & Driving Force
Readings: Psalm 127:1–2; John 15:1–5; Hebrews 4:9–11
Reflect (Adults)
• Why would God give Adam and Eve a day of rest at the very beginning—before any “work week” had happened?
• Where are you tempted to live as though everything depends on you?
• How does weekly worship re-center your heart on God’s sustaining power and providence?
• In what ways can the Lord’s Day become “fuel” for your calling—at home, at work, and in the church?
• How does the connection between the Sabbath and the Lord’s Supper—both being duty, delight, dependence, driving force, and destination—deepen your understanding of God’s means of grace?
Talk with Children
• Who helps us do good things—us alone, or God?
• Why do we pray and sing to God?
• What is one thing you want to ask God to help you with this week?
Day 5 — Looking Ahead to Sunday
Next Lord’s Day sermon text: Genesis 2:4–17, Sermon title: “The Genesis of the First Man”, Theme focus: Adam as our covenantal head; Christ as the Second Adam
Readings: Genesis 2:4–17; Romans 5:12–21; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22, 45–49
Reflect (Adults)
• As you read Genesis 2:4–17, where do you see God’s nearness and personal care toward Adam (forming, breathing life, planting, placing, providing)?
• How does the garden scene shape your view of work and provision as good gifts from God—even before sin enters the world?
• What would it have meant for Adam to “work” and “keep” the garden into which he had been placed?
• What does it mean that Adam represents others (a “federal/covenantal head”)? Why does that matter for understanding sin and salvation?
• How does Christ as the Second Adam give you hope—not only for forgiveness, but for new life and final rest?
• Write down 1–2 questions you want to bring with you on Sunday so you can listen with greater engagement.
Talk with Children
• Who made Adam? Where did God put him?
• What did God tell Adam he could do? What did God tell Adam not to do?
• Who is Jesus, and how is Jesus better than Adam?
Hymns for this coming Lord’s Day
· 18 Thou the God Who Changes Never
· 40 Stand Up and Bless the Lord
· 51 Jesus Shall Reign
· 46 O Worship the King
Brethren, let’s pray for one another—that the Lord would teach us to receive His day as a gift, to gather with His people with gladness, and to taste even now the “Sabbath rest” that remains for the people of God.
In Christ,
Pastor Mike