If the Sabbath is a day of rest what are we supposed to do on it? What should this set apart day look like when we are pausing from so many of our regular activities? If we aren't working or "being productive" what can or should our day look like? I want to give some suggestions for Sabbath appropriate activities, because when I first started keeping this day set apart, I was forever wondering things like, should I be doing this? is this okay?
Note that these activities are suggestions. This is not a checklist of things to get done, but rather ideas for how you can enjoy the Sabbath day. Hopefully you are able to do a couple of things from the 'spiritual' category each week, but please don't feel pressured to try and do every single thing mentioned here each Sabbath. The beauty of the Sabbath is that it's not a day for being 'productive' or getting things done. It's the day when we are commanded to stop those other things and to rest and worship YHWH. If you "don't do anything" or get "nothing" done, it's more than okay.
Here are some ideas for how we can spend the Sabbath.
Spiritual things to do:
Listen to or sing worship songs
Read Scripture
Do a Bible study
Attend congregation
Listen to a teaching or sermon
Study with friends and family
Listen to an audio Bible
Speak a blessing over yourself and others
Spend time in prayer
Self care related activities:
Personal hygiene
Nap
Take a bath
Go for a walk
Sit outside
Stretch
Have a cup of tea
Relationships:
Have lunch or dinner with family
Call or visit an older relative
Sit and talk with your spouse, friends, or family
Caring for others:
Basic care of children, the sick, and the elderly
Basic care of animals
Necessary house cleaning (i.e. cleaning up a broken glass or pet's accident)
Fun things to do:
Enjoy the beach or the lake
Play a board game
Watch a movie
Read
These are ideas for how you can spend your time in Biblically permissible ways, not a conclusive list of all permissible activities on the Sabbath. Are you wondering about something not on the list? Familiarize yourself with Scripture's directions for the Sabbath. Then ask yourself some questions about that activity. Does this fit with keeping God's word? Would it be restful to do it? Would that cause someone else to work? Is it necessary to do this today?
The Sabbath is the day we are commanded to rest and worship. Those are the only things we need to accomplish. Give yourself permission to step back from the other things and enjoy the gift of rest and time with the Creator. We truly do well if that's what we accomplish on the Sabbath!
Related posts:
What Not To Do on the Sabbath
Fifteen Things Scripture Says About the Sabbath
How to Stop Working on Shabbat
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