The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan
Week 4: Chapter 3 — Holy Leisure: Playing and Praying
Read Chapter 3 of The Rest of God. Primary Scripture: Nehemiah 8:9-12; Ecclesiastes 2:24-25.
Previewing Week 4 of The Rest of God
Read 3 of 8 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
Buchanan challenges our assumption that rest must be productive or spiritual to be holy — this chapter makes the surprising case that play and delight are acts of worship. Come ready to think about what you actually enjoy.
Discussion Questions
8 questions1.Buchanan argues that genuine Sabbath rest involves what he calls 'holy leisure' — the freedom to play, delight, and enjoy without the pressure of productivity. How does this challenge or expand your previous understanding of what a Sabbath day should look like?
2.He draws on Nehemiah 8, where Ezra and Nehemiah tell the weeping people: 'This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.' How does joy function in this passage as part of Sabbath observance? What does this suggest about the role of celebration in rest?
3.Buchanan makes a distinction between 'leisure' in the modern sense (passive consumption — channel-surfing, scrolling) and 'holy leisure' as active, engaged delight in God's good gifts. How do you tell the difference in your own life between numbing yourself and truly resting?