How Do I Begin Observing the Sabbath?

The Sabbath, which comes on the seventh day of the week, is a special day honoring the fourth commandment and God’s creation.

It can be a blessing to start keeping the Sabbath. But if this is something you haven’t done before and you’re used to working seven days a week, it can be hard to make the shift. How will I get everything done?

So let’s talk about how to make this transition. We’ll give you some tips to help you get everything accomplished and still experience the blessing Sabbath was designed for.

While it could take some adjusting to, we want to encourage you that keeping the Sabbath is possible, even in today’s non-stop world. In fact, keeping it is a pleasure—something to look forward to.

And it doesn’t have to be difficult either.

We’ll walk you through what keeping Sabbath can look like and help you develop this habit in your life.

Here’s what our discussion will look like:

• What it really means to keep the Sabbath
• Practical steps to start a Sabbath-keeping practice
• Overcoming challenges in keeping Sabbath
• How to prepare for your first Sabbath
• How to spend the Sabbath

Let’s begin with just a bit of review about keeping the Sabbath.

What it really means to keep the Sabbath

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

God intended Sabbath to be used as a day of rest from regular work, both for us and for others. Because He designed it for us, He asks us to keep it holy and to find it pleasurable.

Sabbath was first set aside as something special at the beginning of earth’s history, right after God finished creating the world (Genesis 2:2-3). It was a memorial of Creation.

Later, He gave us some more guidelines in the fourth commandment:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 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: you, nor your son, nor your daughter … nor the stranger who is within your gates” (Exodus 20:8-10).

This commandment summarizes the main intention of Sabbath:

1) Keep it holy
2) Don’t work
3) Don’t make others work

And Isaiah 58:13 adds that Sabbath is meant to be a “delight” (NKJV). In a study on this verse, Ed Christian, PhD, adds that Sabbath was designed to be “the most exquisite, luxuriously delightful day of the week!”¹

There are many examples in the Bible demonstrating how these principles were carried out in everyday life.

After the Jews returned from captivity, the prophet Nehemiah asked them to stop working on Sabbath. They had forgotten in captivity (Nehemiah 13:15-22).

People throughout the Bible made Sabbath holy by gathering together to worship (Leviticus 23:3, Luke 4:16, Acts 13:42).

So how might we apply these biblical principles of Sabbath-keeping in today’s world?

Mark Finley, PhD, pastor and evangelist, summed up Sabbath as a time to “develop a meaningful relationship with God and a healthy positive relationship with our families and the people around us.”²

And in today’s hectic world, where time is a luxury, we have Sabbath as a holiday from the chaos and rush of our lives. A holiday specifically created for resting and spending time with those we love. Everything else gets put to the side so we can focus on that.

Think of the Sabbath this way: If you had a friend you hadn’t seen in a little while and they were coming to town for a visit, wouldn’t you do everything you could to clear a time in your schedule for spending time with them?

You’d set aside all but the most necessary and important things. That way, you could focus your time with that friend. You might go do something fun together, or you might just relax and enjoy catching up.

It’s like this with Sabbath. God created it for our benefit (Mark 2:27), where we can forget all the unnecessary things.

It’s more about a way of thinking.

John Mark Comer, in his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, suggests thinking about Sabbath this way: “What could I do for twenty-four hours that would fill my soul with a deep, throbbing joy? That would make me spontaneously combust with wonder, awe, gratitude, and praise?”³

That’s the mindset we can take when thinking about keeping Sabbath.

If you worry about following a list of Sabbath “do’s” and “don’ts,” you’ll miss the point. By remembering it’s a mindset, your activities will evolve and/or shift to reflect that outlook. Sabbath may look different for every person because everyone’s relationship with God is unique.

Keeping Sabbath might sound simple, but it can be hard with how things are scheduled in today’s world. Here’s how we can look at what it really means to keep Sabbath today.

Practical tips to start a Sabbath-keeping practice

Shifting into the mindset of Sabbath is not always easy when we’re surrounded by the go-go-go mentality. Like any new habit, it is a process that may take some time. You may not find it easy at first, but that’s ok.

Before forming a new habit like this, you have to establish a routine.⁴ You can begin with a few things to help remind you it’s Sabbath. As you get used to the pattern, you can add more aspects until it becomes a habit.

We can’t tell you exactly how to do this because there’s no cookie-cutter way to do it. It is a prayerful process that you will have to figure out yourself.

However, we’ll discuss some ways to frame your decisions to help with this transition. Let’s go over these tips.

Set the time aside

Sabbath is observed on Saturday. But interestingly enough, the Bible describes it beginning sundown Friday evening and ending sundown Saturday evening.

In Genesis, God created on a timetable of evenings and mornings:

“So the evening and the morning were the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31, NKJV).

And Leviticus 23:32 shows how this affects Sabbaths:

“From evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath” (NKJV).

So Sabbath would begin the evening of the night before—Friday night.

You can do different things to help remind you of the start of Sabbath, such as

• Write it into the family planner or calendar, like you would an important appointment
• Use timers that go off at sundown
• Use weather apps to help keep track of sundown

Being intentional⁵ about setting this time aside is foundational to beginning the habit of Sabbath-keeping. This 24-hour window is your appointment with God. What can you do to mold this special time into your current schedule?

One big thing conflicting with these hours is work schedules. Let’s look at this next.

Ask for work accommodations

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Like we talked about earlier, God asks us to stop working on Sabbath.

But not every job is Monday–Friday, 9–5. Many jobs will schedule on Saturday or Friday evenings or require weekend travel. Our best tip here is to find accommodations.

To do this, talk to your manager or boss. Explain your new conviction, and ask if you can work Sunday or another day instead, or come in earlier on Friday in order to leave before sundown.

Some managers will be understanding and change your schedule to allow Saturdays off.

But others may not. If you are facing this dilemma, there are legal resources available to you. Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) is an international department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that promotes religious liberty worldwide. Among other things, this department assists people facing discrimination in the workplace for their beliefs. Contact them to get help.

For others, weekend work has never been a requirement. However, you might receive a number of work emails and phone calls outside of work hours. In this case, you could silence those notifications until after Sabbath.

However, be sure to talk to your coworkers and/or manager before changing your availability like this. This avoids confusion and misunderstanding and keeps things flowing smoothly.

So why is it so important to stop work on Sabbath?

The reason God asks us to is because of the nature of work. Why do most people have jobs and careers? To make money and to succeed professionally.

Comer calls these two reasons “accumulation and achievement.”⁶

There isn’t anything inherently wrong with those things. They drive us to provide for our families and to learn and perfect skills.

The problem is that these aren’t what Sabbath is about. Sabbath is about rest and reconnection with God and our families.

But keep in mind some jobs that regularly schedule on Sabbath are actually necessary. Because they’re not about accumulation and achievement as much as serving others.

Some of these jobs include doctors, nurses, and emergency responders. They help and save others, which even Jesus regularly engaged in on Sabbath (Matthew 12:10-14, Luke 13:10-17, John 5:1-18). Think about it—if hospitals closed on Sabbath, many people would die!

So there are some exceptions to the main idea to stop working.

But beyond the general practice of stopping work for Sabbath, does the Bible specify anything about other activities?

Move unnecessary work and activities to other days

Photo by Blake Wisz on Unsplash

Because Sabbath is a time dedicated to rest and reconnection with God, we can decrease our distractions by moving things that aren’t life necessities to another day.

Again, this will probably look a little different for everyone. The things that distract us might not be a problem for someone else.

And remember too that this process may be one of baby steps, or microhabits.⁷ Start small with a few main things, and as the habit becomes more ingrained, add other things.

Suddenly canceling all your previous Sabbath obligations you promised may be rude. It may take time to work through your schedule and rearrange things.

How, then, do you choose what to move?

As you think about the activities you do on Saturday, you can ask yourself some questions to help you decide.

What activities would keep you from feeling like it was Sabbath? Perhaps things like significant household cleaning or yardwork feels too much like work. If so, these may be things you could save for another day.

What things might you want to reschedule in order to enjoy Sabbath? If the bathroom remodeling project or dental appointment are dreaded items on the Saturday to-do list, switch those to a different day. Then, Sabbath could be more enjoyable and special (of course, always call ahead to reschedule appointments).

And business transactions are good to move to another day, if possible. Unnecessary buying and selling makes other people work to serve us, defeating the purpose of Sabbath.

This doesn’t mean we should ignore emergencies just because it’s Sabbath. Take our household project example. Remodeling your bathroom may not need to continue on Sabbath. But if a pipe bursts in the bathroom on Sabbath afternoon, sending water gushing all over the floor, by all means, fix it!

And if someone falls and breaks their arm on Sabbath, don’t wait to seek medical help until the sun goes down.

Jesus Christ gives an example in the book of Luke of these emergencies that come up. While addressing a group of lawyers and Pharisees, Jesus pointed out,

“Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 14:5, NKJV)

It’s the principle of putting aside things we don’t have to do on Sabbath that’s key.

Some routine things need to be done, regardless of whether it’s Sabbath. Feeding and caring for animals and cooking simple meals, for example, still need to happen (Luke 13:15). They aren’t the work God was talking about in the commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). They aren’t about working to make money or feed our ambition.

We’ve covered some of the more business-like activities. What about other discretionary activities, like sporting events, get-togethers, or baby showers and birthday parties?

Again, this is something you’ll have to work out yourself. Think about whether the activity in question would distract you from keeping the Sabbath holy or help you do so better.

Now, perhaps you’ve chosen some things you want to move to another day but don’t know how to make time for them in your already-crammed schedule. What then?

Here’s where some principles of time management can come in handy.⁸ Look over your schedule and ask yourself what the most important things are. Make sure they are prioritized on your weekly schedule.

Then fill in with the less-important activities, removing some that you won’t have time for—trying to squeeze more in than can realistically fit isn’t a good idea either. This will help you plan ahead. You’ll be less stressed overall and be able to effectively organize your schedule to make room for Sabbath.

Your new routine may be a bit rough at first. It will take some time to balance activities. But after a little while, you’ll grow more accustomed to it and Sabbath will be a pleasure to look forward to.

Share/explain your new endeavor with friends and family

When you decide you want to keep the Sabbath, it’s a good idea to let your family and friends know in advance. Then you can both share with them your new conviction and decision and keep everyone on the same page with expectations.

Keeping Sabbath is an adjustment for both you and those around you. Those who don’t understand the Sabbath won’t understand the significance of everything you’re doing, so you might have to explain it to them.

Your family may otherwise wonder why you aren’t doing certain activities anymore.

By letting them know, gently, what your new expectations and boundaries are, you can avoid confusion, misunderstandings, or hurt feelings. You can demonstrate your respect for them and desire to respond to your own convictions.

Even if they still don’t understand, or try to pressure you into doing something on Sabbath you aren’t comfortable with, know that it’s alright to respectfully say no. Just find a way to do so without alienating them.

What about if you live with someone who does not observe Sabbath?

While this can make things difficult, be sure to maintain respect for the other person as you work through your differences. Discuss what is important to each of you and what each can do to respect each other’s separate beliefs.⁹

The situation may never totally be resolved—the other person may never choose to keep Sabbath. But by being open with each other and being respectful, you can develop a working solution.

Another helpful tip, as you’re starting to keep Sabbath, is to find people to spend Sabbath time with.

Find a community to spend the Sabbath with

Finding a group of like-minded people to be with on Sabbath is helpful for maintaining the Sabbath and can make it enjoyable. It can also help you feel accepted if you are the only one in your social circle who keeps the Sabbath.

Scripture tells us that people kept the Sabbath by gathering together to study the Bible.

In the Old Testament, the ancient Israelites used Sabbath for a “holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:3, NKJV), or a holy meeting.

This might have taken place in the temple (if they lived near enough) or in individual homes.

In the New Testament, the Jews attended synagogue every Sabbath (Luke 4:16).

And the letters of the apostle Paul show that churches of early Christians sprang up within just a short time after Jesus was crucified and rose again (Ephesians 4:11-12, Revelation 1:4)! They recognized the importance of community.

Today, you can do the same. You could attend church on Sabbath, or join a Bible study group. Not only do you meet new people who share your convictions, you can enrich your relationship with God from a different perspective.

With all these tips in mind, it’s natural to wonder how you might go about getting ready for Sabbath. Let’s go over that now.

How to prepare for your first Sabbath

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

“Preparing” for Sabbath isn’t as much about work as it might sound. It is more about thinking ahead so you can be ready for the day and limit distractions.

Depending on your situation, here are some things you could try to help get ready for Sabbath:

• Tidy up the house on Friday
• Do grocery shopping earlier in the week
• Plan a simple meal for Sabbath not involving a lot of work, or make meals for Sabbath on Friday so you only have to heat them up
• Fill up your car with gas before Sabbath

Keep in mind that you don’t have to do these specific things. They are just common ones people have chosen to do to make Sabbath more enjoyable.

And don’t worry about doing everything possible before Sabbath—the point isn’t to stress over doing it perfectly right.

The principle of getting ready for Sabbath is the important thing—doing things ahead that will make Sabbath restful.

Now let’s talk about observing Sabbath itself. What are some things you can do to follow its purpose?

How to spend the Sabbath

You can do many things to enjoy the Sabbath to the fullest!

Like we saw earlier, Sabbath is about relationships. So you could start with some family activities to enjoy time together that you don’t normally have.

Another thing you could do is visit with people you don’t usually get to see, whether it’s an in-person visit or a video or phone call. They could be elderly family members, friends, neighbors, or someone else.

Sabbath is also about cultivating our relationship with God. So you could spend some of the Sabbath reading and studying Scripture, meditating on it, and praying.

And Sabbath is a great time to do things you don’t often get to do. You could spend time outside, doing a restful project, or getting some exercise.

If you’d like some specific ideas for how to spend Sabbath, be sure to check out our page about Sabbath activities!

Find your Sabbath rest

Keeping Sabbath is a wonderful goal to have, one that comes with a number of spiritual and physical benefits.

Though it may take a lot of consideration and patience to carve the time out of your schedule, there are actionable things you can do to prioritize this special window of time with God.

Above all, know that however you go about it, pray for guidance in this big step you’re taking. Be open to the convictions you feel from the Holy Spirit. God’s got your back. He assures us:

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, CSB).

And He will be with us as we begin on this inspiring new journey of keeping the Sabbath.

Want to learn more about this day? Learn what Adventists believe about the Sabbath.

Interested in finding a community near you that keeps Sabbath?

List of Bible verses that help us understand how to keep Sabbath

• “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Genesis 2:2-3, NKJV).
• Number four of the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 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: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11, NKJV). See also Deuteronomy 5:12-14 for the parallel text.
• “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, NKJV).
• “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father” (Isaiah 58:13-14, NKJV).
• “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 14:5, NKJV).
• “Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?” (Luke 13:15, NKJV).
• “And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him [Jesus], saying, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’—that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, ‘What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath’” (Matthew 12:10-12, NKJV).
• The Sabbath healing of the women with a disease for 18 years (Luke 13:10-17).
• The Sabbath healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18).
• The Sabbath healing of the blind man (John 9:1-14).
• “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath or solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings” (Leviticus 23:3, NKJV).
• “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16, NKJV).
• “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2, NKJV).
• “That day [of the crucifixion] was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him [Jesus] from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment” (Luke 23:54-56, NKJV).
• “And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 18:4, NKJV).
• Nehemiah re-instructs Israel on how to keep the Sabbath day holy in Nehemiah 13:15-22.
• “And on the Sabbath day we [Paul and Silas and their missionaries] went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there” (Acts 16:13, NKJV).

1. Christian, Ed, PhD. “‘Sabbath is a Happy Day!’ What does Isaiah 58:13-14 Mean?” Journal of Adventist Theological Society, Andrews University, spring 2002. [↵]
2. Finley, Mark. “How to Keep the Sabbath,” HopeLives365, January 23, 2021. [↵]
3. Comer John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, page 155. [↵]
4. DePaul, Kristi. “What Does It Really Take to Build a New Habit?” Harvard Business Review, February 2, 2021. [↵]
5. Ibid. [↵]
6. Comer, John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, p.147. [↵]
7. “What Does It Really Take To Build a New Habit?” [↵]
8. “Time Management,” Corporate Finance Institute. [↵]
9. Davis, Elizabeth. “Ask An Expert—Working Through Religious Differences in Marriage,” Utah State University, October 12, 2022. [↵]

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