How Should Christians Observe the Sabbath? A Guide to Keeping the Day of Rest
Course Content
The Sabbath is a day of rest, worship, and spiritual renewal, set apart by God for His people. Learn how Christians can observe this special day by refraining from work, gathering for worship, and drawing closer to God through prayer, study, and fellowship.
To answer this, we look to the Word of God and then apply it to our lives. First, Scripture is very clear we are to do no work on the Sabbath day: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work” (Exodus 20:8-10). This means a Christian observing the Sabbath refrains from working for pay on that day.
When God repeats the Sabbath command later He says: “The seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it” (Leviticus 23:3). A convocation is a public meeting or gathering. This means a Christian is to rest on the Sabbath and meet with other faithful Christians. God wants His people to assemble on His Sabbath to worship, to hear His Word preached, and to enjoy fellowship with one another.
These are the major points of Sabbath observance: Do none of your normal work, rest, and meet with others to worship. Normal work includes chores and home projects like housecleaning, yard maintenance and other projects. This does not mean we cannot do simple chores like some meal preparation and clean-up. This type of work is still necessary, and it helps us enjoy the Sabbath as a day of rest.
An important principle of Sabbath-keeping comes from Jesus Christ. He created the Sabbath in the beginning and knew exactly its purpose. Yet He was often criticized for how He observed it. In one such instance, when His disciples picked heads of grain for a meal on the Sabbath, the self-righteous Pharisees criticized. They said to Him, “Why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
Jesus answered them from Scripture and then declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). This is foundational to the Christian’s observance of the Sabbath day. God made the Sabbath for man’s enjoyment within the proper boundaries of His law. He wants those who obey the command to enjoy the time by being refreshed in their minds and bodies. By not working but resting on the Sabbath day, the Christian has opportunity for extra time in study and hearing God’s Word. There is more time to draw closer to God in prayer and meditation.
The Sabbath is a day for restful activities that complement a close relationship with God. Appreciating God’s creation in some easy, leisurely way is an inspiring activity quite appropriate for a Christian to do on the Sabbath day.
On the Sabbath day, the Christian rests from working for a livelihood. The Sabbath is a time for a Christian to study God’s word and spend extra time in prayer and meditation. God commands His people to come together on the Sabbath day to fellowship and to hear His Word expounded. All these are what a Christian should do to observe the Sabbath.
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Find Out More... What to do on the Sabbath?
In addition to being a day of rest from our regular work, the seventh day Sabbath is a day we are commanded to gather together for a “holy convocation.”
It seems like every family has a different way of keeping the Sabbath. How should I determine how to keep the Sabbath? Some watch television while others do not. Some allow their kids to go to sports games Friday nights while others don't. Every time I spend a Friday night with a Church friend who grew up keeping the Sabbath differently than me, I become more and more confused about how it should be kept. There seems to be no standard other than the obvious refusing to be paid for work on the Sabbath.
God's Test Commandment
God described one of His commandments as a "test" command. Which command is that? What was he testing? How has mankind fared with that test —and what about you?
Is It Appropriate to Play Sports on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath is a gift from God, meant for physical rest and spiritual renewal—but does that mean sports should be avoided? Playing sports can be physically and mentally draining, taking our focus away from God’s intended purpose for this holy day. The Bible teaches that the Sabbath is set apart from the rest of the week for worship and spiritual reflection, not personal pursuits. When we honor the Sabbath as a delight rather than a burden (Isaiah 58:13-14), we receive its full blessings.
Observing God's Sabbath
If we love God and desire a close relationship with Him, we need to spend time honoring Him and drawing close to Him by observing the Sabbath.
The Church: Help for Greater Growth
Participation in the Church (assembly of believers) Jesus founded through supporting its mission and Christian fellowship—communicating and interacting with other members—is a priceless tool for personal and collective growth.
Are You Missing Out on a Blessing From God?
Time: It's the one thing that you can never recover. Is your life hectic and out of control? It's time you realized you may be missing out on a special gift from God.
What Is the Biblical Sabbath, and Why Do Many Christians Worship on Sunday Instead?
The seventh-day Sabbath, established at creation and reinforced in the Ten Commandments, has remained a sacred day of rest and worship throughout history. Despite widespread shifts to Sunday observance, faithful believers have upheld the biblical Sabbath from Christ’s time to the present day.
The Fourth Commandment: The Sabbath - Key to a Relationship With Our Creator
4. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." The Fourth Commandment, to remember the Sabbath, concludes the section of the Commandments that specifically helps define a proper relationship with God—how we are to love, worship and relate to Him. It explains why and when we need to take special time to draw closer to our Creator on the seventh day.
