From Discipleship Weekly

(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)

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A Word from Our Sponsor Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. -- Matthew 11:28-30 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 3 - Thankfulness Week 38: The Fourth Commandment 103. Q. What does God require in the fourth commandment? A. First, that the ministry of the gospel and Christian education be maintained, and that I diligently attend the church, especially on the Lord's day, to hear the Word of God, to participate in the holy Sacraments, to call publicly upon the Lord, and to give Christian service to those in need. Second, that I cease from my evil works all the days of my life, allow the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and thus begin in this life the eternal Sabbath. [Deut. 6:4-9; 12:5-12; 20-25; Ps. 40:9-10; 50:14; 68:26; Is. 66:23; Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 10:14-17; I Cor. 9:13-14; 11:23-24; 14:26-33; 16:2; II Cor. 8 and 9; Col. 3:16; I Tim. 2:1; 4:13; II Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Titus 1:5; Heb. 4:9-11; 10:23-25] Suggestions for discussion and review: 1. What are the two main ways we are to keep this commandment? When are we to do these things? 2. Does the Catechism emphasize our rest or activity on Sunday? 3. There are four reasons given for going to church regularly. How many of these are important to you, personally? 4. What is meant by the eternal Sabbath that has begun in this life? (See Hebrews 4:9-11.) What are the signs of this beginning given in the Catechism? * * * * * * * * * * The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. -- George Mueller