Our Rhythms

Living out God’s design for work and rest.

 Our Rhythms

Living out God’s design for work and rest.

WHAT IS SABBATH?

Early on in scripture, God gives us a clear example of the rhythms of our lives, specifically as it relates to work, rest, and play. In the first two chapters of Genesis, we witness God creating, exercising effort, working. For six days straight he works, and on the seventh day, he steps back from working, pauses, and rests. The cadence that God builds into creation is not just a suggestion for us but is a reflection of the makeup of our nature and the universe. We see this played out even further through the rest of scripture as remembrances of this day of resting from work, called a sabbath, are emphasized as God speaks to his people. A sabbath is not only when we rest from labor but is a day in which intentionally enjoy God’s presence and work on our behalf. It’s not just stopping work to play, it’s practicing purposeful sabbath-delight in God. We also see annual times of sabbath given to God’s people throughout the old testament, times of celebrating, festival, and reflection.

All of these moments in scripture are pointing to something that is true for us today: work and vocations, as well as rest and play, are equally holy gifts from God! Since the day of the resurrection, the Church has marked that day of the week (Sunday) as a unique and particular day in which we behold the beautiful work of Jesus and, as one people, delight in His presence together. We’ve also been given annual rhythms in the historic church calendar, seasons like Advent, Lent, and Eastertide. Each of these seasons offers unique opportunities to pause, experience, and reflect afresh upon God’s greatness and his kindness towards us in Christ. These seasons are like extended periods for us to practice intentional delight in Jesus.

WHAT IS SABBATH?

Early on in scripture, God gives us a clear example of the rhythms of our lives, specifically as it relates to work, rest, and play. In the first two chapters of Genesis, we witness God creating, exercising effort, working. For six days straight he works, and on the seventh day, he steps back from working, pauses, and rests. The cadence that God builds into creation is not just a suggestion for us but is a reflection of the makeup of our nature and the universe. We see this played out even further through the rest of scripture as remembrances of this day of resting from work, called a sabbath, are emphasized as God speaks to his people. A sabbath is not only when we rest from labor but is a day in which intentionally enjoy God’s presence and work on our behalf. It’s not just stopping work to play, it’s practicing purposeful sabbath-delight in God. We also see annual times of sabbath given to God’s people throughout the old testament, times of celebrating, festival, and reflection.

All of these moments in scripture are pointing to something that is true for us today: work and vocations, as well as rest and play, are equally holy gifts from God! Since the day of the resurrection, the Church has marked that day of the week (Sunday) as a unique and particular day in which we behold the beautiful work of Jesus and, as one people, delight in His presence together. We’ve also been given annual rhythms in the historic church calendar, seasons like Advent, Lent, and Eastertide. Each of these seasons offers unique opportunities to pause, experience, and reflect afresh upon God’s greatness and his kindness towards us in Christ. These seasons are like extended periods for us to practice intentional delight in Jesus.

WHAT IS SABBATH?

Early on in scripture, God gives us a clear example of the rhythms of our lives, specifically as it relates to work, rest, and play. In the first two chapters of Genesis, we witness God creating, exercising effort, working. For six days straight he works, and on the seventh day, he steps back from working, pauses, and rests. The cadence that God builds into creation is not just a suggestion for us but is a reflection of the makeup of our nature and the universe. We see this played out even further through the rest of scripture as remembrances of this day of resting from work, called a sabbath, are emphasized as God speaks to his people. A sabbath is not only when we rest from labor but is a day in which intentionally enjoy God’s presence and work on our behalf. It’s not just stopping work to play, it’s practicing purposeful sabbath-delight in God. We also see annual times of sabbath given to God’s people throughout the old testament, times of celebrating, festival, and reflection.

All of these moments in scripture are pointing to something that is true for us today: work and vocations, as well as rest and play, are equally holy gifts from God! Since the day of the resurrection, the Church has marked that day of the week (Sunday) as a unique and particular day in which we behold the beautiful work of Jesus and, as one people, delight in His presence together. We’ve also been given annual rhythms in the historic church calendar, seasons like Advent, Lent, and Eastertide. Each of these seasons offers unique opportunities to pause, experience, and reflect afresh upon God’s greatness and his kindness towards us in Christ. These seasons are like extended periods for us to practice intentional delight in Jesus.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR US?

We live in one of the busiest cultures in history. Our lives are complex and are full of many things, the majority of which are God-given and things we want to pursue with zeal. Our lives are also full of distractions and we are easily distracted people. We practice sabbath-delight regularly so that in the busier moments of our lives we might remember how to delight and trust in God’s work over our own efforts. If this feels countercultural or strange, that is because it is! But, by God’s grace, we aim to live more in line with the culture of the Kingdom.

As a church, we want to run hard after Jesus and walk in all of the things He’s called us to for the work of the Kingdom. There is unique work that God is giving Frontline Church for his glory and our good. We are committed to creating a culture where consistent devotion to Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end of our journies. With this as the goal, we feel it’s crucial to not only preach sabbath-delight but to also make windows in our church’s calendar that afford us the opportunity to practice rhythms of stopping so that we might delight.

During three specific moments out of each year, we make a point to slow ourselves and our church. We don’t stop doing Kingdom demonstration or Gospel proclamation but we do slow down. During these three stretches of time, we gather regularly on Sundays, while we avoid scheduling events. We spend time together in our community, playing and delighting in Jesus, but we don’t gather formally in Small Groups. We believe this is living with the grain of God’s creation and fosters long-term health and devotion to Jesus in our church. Thanks be to God that he doesn’t stop working or stop advancing his Kingdom when we rest. We take moments and seasons of rest because we need them and because delighting in Jesus is the only place we can find true rest.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR US?

We live in one of the busiest cultures in history. Our lives are complex and are full of many things, the majority of which are God-given and things we want to pursue with zeal. Our lives are also full of distractions and we are easily distracted people. We practice sabbath-delight regularly so that in the busier moments of our lives we might remember how to delight and trust in God’s work over our own efforts. If this feels countercultural or strange, that is because it is! But, by God’s grace, we aim to live more in line with the culture of the Kingdom.

As a church, we want to run hard after Jesus and walk in all of the things He’s called us to for the work of the Kingdom. There is unique work that God is giving Frontline Church for his glory and our good. We are committed to creating a culture where consistent devotion to Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end of our journies. With this as the goal, we feel it’s crucial to not only preach sabbath-delight but to also make windows in our church’s calendar that afford us the opportunity to practice rhythms of stopping so that we might delight.

During three specific moments out of each year, we make a point to slow ourselves and our church. We don’t stop doing Kingdom demonstration or Gospel proclamation but we do slow down. During these three stretches of time, we gather regularly on Sundays, while we avoid scheduling events. We spend time together in our community, playing and delighting in Jesus, but we don’t gather formally in small groups. We believe this is living with the grain of God’s creation and fosters long-term health and devotion to Jesus in our church. Thanks be to God that he doesn’t stop working or stop advancing his Kingdom when we rest. We take moments and seasons of rest because we need them and because delighting in Jesus is the only place we can find true rest.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR US?

We live in one of the busiest cultures in history. Our lives are complex and are full of many things, the majority of which are God-given and things we want to pursue with zeal. Our lives are also full of distractions and we are easily distracted people. We practice sabbath-delight regularly so that in the busier moments of our lives we might remember how to delight and trust in God’s work over our own efforts. If this feels countercultural or strange, that is because it is! But, by God’s grace, we aim to live more in line with the culture of the Kingdom.

As a church, we want to run hard after Jesus and walk in all of the things He’s called us to for the work of the Kingdom. There is unique work that God is giving Frontline Church for his glory and our good. We are committed to creating a culture where consistent devotion to Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end of our journies. With this as the goal, we feel it’s crucial to not only preach sabbath-delight but to also make windows in our church’s calendar that afford us the opportunity to practice rhythms of stopping so that we might delight.

During three specific moments out of each year, we make a point to slow ourselves and our church. We don’t stop doing Kingdom demonstration or Gospel proclamation but we do slow down. During these three stretches of time, we gather regularly on Sundays, while we avoid scheduling events. We spend time together in our community, playing and delighting in Jesus, but we don’t gather formally in small groups. We believe this is living with the grain of God’s creation and fosters long-term health and devotion to Jesus in our church. Thanks be to God that he doesn’t stop working or stop advancing his Kingdom when we rest. We take moments and seasons of rest because we need them and because delighting in Jesus is the only place we can find true rest.

Term One

consists of February, March & April, followed by a month of sabbath rest in May.

Term Two

consists of June & July, followed by a month of sabbath rest in August.

Term Three

consists of September, October, and November, followed by a sabbath rest in December.
January serves as a training & reorienting month for our groups and leaders to ensure we are not drifting from the rhythms God’s given us, both for rest but also for intentional life and labor together.

Term One

consists of February, March & April, followed by a month of sabbath rest in May.

Term Two

consists of June & July, followed by a month of sabbath rest in August.

Term Three

consists of September, October, and November, followed by a sabbath rest in December.
January serves as a training & reorienting month for our groups and leaders to ensure we are not drifting from the rhythms God’s given us, both for rest but also for intentional life and labor together.

Term One

consists of February, March & April, followed by a month of sabbath rest in May.

Term Two

consists of June & July, followed by a month of sabbath rest in August.

Term Three

consists of September, October, and November, followed by a sabbath rest in December.
January serves as a training & reorienting month for our groups and leaders to ensure we are not drifting from the rhythms God’s given us, both for rest but also for intentional life and labor together.