The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan
Week 9: Chapter 8 — The Practice of Sabbath: Hallowing Time
Read Chapter 8 of The Rest of God. Primary Scripture: Isaiah 58:13-14; Nehemiah 13:15-22.
Previewing Week 9 of The Rest of God
Read 3 of 8 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
Having built the theological case, Buchanan now turns to the practical architecture of Sabbath — what it actually looks like to hallow a day. This is where the rubber meets the road: how do you actually do this in your real, complicated life?
Discussion Questions
8 questions1.Buchanan draws on Isaiah 58:13-14, where God describes Sabbath as a delight and promises that those who honor it will 'ride on the heights of the land.' What does this passage suggest about the tone of Sabbath — is it primarily about restriction or about delight?
2.The author gives practical guidance on how to begin and end a Sabbath in ways that mark it as holy — distinct from the rest of the week. What kinds of rituals or practices does he suggest, and which resonate most with you?
3.Buchanan acknowledges that different people and families will keep Sabbath differently, and that no single prescription fits all. At the same time, he insists that Sabbath must be intentional and protected. How do you hold those two truths together — flexibility in form, seriousness in commitment?