Sabbath

<span style="color:var(--secondary-color-bg)">What is Sabbath?</span>
What is Sabbath?

Learning to Find Rest for Our Soul

Sabbath is the weekly practice of stopping our ordinary work to rest in God and delight in His gifts. Sabbath teaches us that God sustains the world, not us. It is a gospel practice that reminds us that Christ has finished the work of our salvation, freeing us to worship, rest, and delight in Him. Sabbath is a gift, not a burden.

Dan Allender in his book, Sabbath, says, “The Sabbath is an invitation to enter delight. The Sabbath, when experienced as God intended, is the best day of our lives. Sabbath is the holy time where we feast, play, dance, love, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk, and watch creation in its fullness. Few people are willing to enter the Sabbath and sanctify it, to make it holy, because a full day of delight and joy is more than most people can bear in a lifetime, let alone a week.”

Sabbath is a day unto the Lord and a day of rest and delight. While it can look differently for some, it may reflect a commitment of 24 hours of rest, play, worship, prayer, and delight.

To "Shabbat" is to "cease". God invites us to humbly cease our work every week for a period of time. This may be space to celebrate restoration. We can delight in things we love to do, hobbies that bring us joy, and share a meal with those we love with the intention of honoring Sabbath as a gift. Sabbath points us forward to a greater day when all creation will enter the promised rest for God's people (Hebrews 4:9).

Where do we see Sabbath in Scripture?

In Scripture, Jesus says, “Come to me, all 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 author of Hebrews says, “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:9-11). Jesus says in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

How Do I Practice Sabbath?


Preparation

Pick a 24-hour period to Sabbath. Example: practice Sabbath from 5pm Friday to 5pm Saturday. As you look forward to planning your Sabbath, consider the work that needs to be finished in order to properly rest. Fridays before 5pm consider: What food needs to be prepared? What chores need to be done? What is our plan for this week’s Sabbath? What people do I want to invite to Sabbath with?

Plan: “The Fence to Play Free”

For any of us to play free from fear, protected and safe, we need fences (rules) to help us. These are the rules that free us to delight and worship together. True freedom is found in healthy limits. Examples could be: No tv or technology. Phones are ‘docked’ and used only for necessary Sabbath delights. No regular chores (cleaning room, cooking, laundry, etc.) But fun, life-giving projects are ok.


Practice: “Consecration and Consummation”

Consecrate the Sabbath, that is, set it apart and make it holy, beginning at 5 pm on Friday through a moment of prayer and worship. Here are some ways you might consecrate the Sabbath: Light two candles (symbolic for the two commands in Exodus and Deuteronomy to “remember” and “observe” the Sabbath). Invite the Spirit of Jesus to come and give your home light, joy, love, peace, and rest. Pray a blessing over the Sabbath and give thanks. Someone could speak a blessing over the children and the mother: “May you be happy and full of joy.” “May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” “May you find rest for your soul.” Read a Psalm, sing a song, quote a poem, or pray a liturgy to center on God. Pray: ask the Holy Spirit to bring a spirit of rest over your life and lead and guide you through the next 24 hours.

Then you can consummate the Sabbath, that is, complete this holy act at 5pm on Saturday. Here are some ways you may choose to do that: Take a slow prayer walk around the neighborhood, park, or trail. Read a psalm. Share a meal with family and friends. Traditionally, the Sabbath ends by sitting on the floor, lighting a special candle, and sharing 1) the best part of your Sabbath, and 2) what you are looking forward to in the week ahead, and ending with prayers of gratitude.

What are other things you can do during Sabbath? Whatever you want! Read, ride bikes, do arts and crafts, eat out, grill out, play, nap, rest.

If a full 24-hour block isn't possible right now for shift workers, parents of newborns, or caregivers, ask the Lord to show you a smaller rhythm of rest you can practice faithfully, even a few hours, and grow from there.

Recommended Books


Sabbath — Dan Allender

Ruthless Elimination of Hurry — John Mark Comer

The Common Rule — Justin Early