Enjoying Sabbath Together
Life is busy.
Running from one thing to another, deadlines, conflict, illness, and the list goes on.
That’s why we all need to take time to rest. REAL REST.
Life giving, recharging rest.
Take a deep breath and think about how good that sounds.
God knew we needed rest and recharging. He modeled rest on day seven and gave us the gift of Sabbath through the fourth commandment. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, it’s hard to find the time. Sabbat often alludes us. We grow weary.
A long nap is what some of us need, but sometimes we rest and refuel by having fellowship, worship, prayer, and helping others. Some of us recharge by a beautiful walk, a good meal with loved ones, meditation on God’s word, or a meaningful conversation.
While working with our fellow saints in ministry or your church body, we can encourage others to find rest and honor the Sabbath. As leaders, we can also create rest experiences for others.
Here’s a list of creative ways to honor the Sabbath as a church body.
1. Meet up for a walk/hike.
2. Have a picnic meal together.
3. Have church wide potlucks at each other’s houses.
4. Have a family day where family activities like board games, arts and crafts,
puzzles, and games are available.
5. Offer an extra worship service for singing and praising.
6. Offer a church wide prayer meeting with whole group and small group prayer.
7. Go on an overnight church retreat. (Women, men, families, youth)
8. Encourage members to meet at local restaurants and leave a big tip.
9. Begin a church tradition of mediating on a Scripture for the week or praying on
specific needs and journaling on that verse. Thoughts can be shared on social media
or in small groups.
10. Offer a parents’ night out.
11. Offer a wholesome movie and popcorn for the whole family.
12. Join together for an act of kindness. Clean a park. Serve elderly members by raking
leaves or doing home projects. Write letters to members that are at home, hospitals,
or college. Pack homeless packages.
There is no doubt that God has called us to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. As
church leaders, we can encourage our brothers and sisters by resting and delighting
in the Sabbath.
IF YOU KEEP YOUR FEET FROM BREAKING THE SABBATH
AND FROM DOING AS YOU PLEASE ON MY HOLY DAY,
IF YOU CALL THE SABBATH A DELIGHT
AND THE LORD’S HOLY DAY HONORABLE,
AND IF YOU HONOR IT BY NOT GOING YOUR OWN WAY
AND NOT DOING AS YOU PLEASE OR SPEAKING IDLE WORDS,
14 THEN YOU WILL FIND YOUR JOY IN THE LORD,
AND I WILL CAUSE YOU TO RIDE IN TRIUMPH ON THE HEIGHTS OF THE LAND
AND TO FEAST ON THE INHERITANCE OF YOUR FATHER JACOB.”
FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN. ISAIAH 54:13-14
Jenna Lofton is director of Johnston Woods Retreat Center, wife to her college sweetheart for 23 years, and mom to four busy kids. She speaks at First Things First events. She has led children’s, women, Upward sports, and MOPS ministries, but her most recent passion and calling is retreat and camp ministries.