Easy Ways to Start a Weekly Sabbath

Our family started implementing a weekly Sabbath each week years ago and it has been life-changing for us.  Especially me, an Enneagram 3, overachiever, Type A personality who thinks resting is a waste of time.  Hopefully, I’m not the only productivity addict out there! 

 Oh, how the Lord has humbled me through this discipline of Sabbath!  Who knew that for some of us, resting requires more discipline and self-control than putting in some hard work.  

Sabbath is a gift designed to reorient our hearts to the Lord.  Left to our own devices, it is easy for us to forget to cultivate a dependence on the Lord.  Certain practices like worshipping with other believers, reading the Bible, prayer, and sabbath are designed to recalibrate us to God and what matters.  It is too easy for us to get caught up in the daily grind if we don’t set aside time to slow down and deliberately seek the Lord.

I want to make this as simple as possible and let you build your Sabbath rhythms from here.  This isn’t about rules, it’s about laying the groundwork and giving you inspiration for a weekly day of rest and renewal.  

Make sure to check out our FREE Rhythms Reset E-book for a week-long guide on some of these Sabbath principles to regroup and refocus on the Lord. 

Here we go!

Tips for Success:

1. Set the Bar Low When You Start

If you try to go from 0 to 60 the first time you try to Sabbath, you’ll give up on day 1.  Try to implement 1 or 2 of these ideas the first day, then build upon what you do over time.  

2. Make a Plan

Taking a day to rest means accomplishing work and chores before your Sabbath or deciding what can wait until the next day.  Make sure to plan out how you’ll rest, how you’ll worship, meals, etc. 

3. Communicate with Family and Friends: 

Make sure your household is on the same page for the day.  Unmet expectations are the breeding ground for conflict in relationships.  Have a quick family meeting a day or two before to make sure everyone is on the same page. 

4. Don’t Get Focused on Rules

Sabbath is about freedom, not adding rules.  If you end up having to throw in a load of laundry or do a bit more cooking than you planned because life happened the day before, don’t beat yourself up about it!  Just try again next week. 

Answer These Questions Before You Start:

1. What People, Places, and Activities Will Point Me to Jesus?

For some of you, being with a big group of friends fills you up and is life-giving for you. The introverts in the room would rather have time to themselves to think, process, journal, read, or walk. Refrain from commitments that you know will drain your efforts and energies. If spending time with close friends or going to a party sounds delightful, go for it!

Next, think of the places where you can get quiet and set your mind on God. For me, getting outdoors is essential on our Sabbath days. It may be in my backyard, walking on a trail, or having a picnic lunch on a blanket in the front yard with my kiddos. If I’m by some water, it’s extra rejuvenating for me. Seeing beauty in nature reminds me of the goodness and power of God.

Only you can answer what activities will push you to the Lord. For me, it’s going to church and worshipping with our church family. Playing a game, laughing, or baking with my kiddos is something that brings me joy and gives me a heart of gratitude. Those moments cause me to thank God for the privilege of being their mom. Making space to have fun with them is a beautiful part of our Sabbath. Having some fun and laughing until you can’t breathe is the type of joy that reminds us of the goodness of God.

Here’s a question I’ve gotten from a few people: Should I work out on the Sabbath?

There is no legalism here, but let’s go back to the basics. Does this bring you joy? Is this something that gives you energy? Does it point your heart and mind towards God? For me, it depends on the day. For others of you, you could bet your yearly salary that a workout will never be a Sabbath activity!        

2. What is Restful for Me?  What Helps Me Renew My Energy?  

I try to get extra sleep by sleeping in or taking a nap every Sabbath. Not only does my body need it after running hard during the week with my relationships, work, maintaining my home, parenting, and workouts, but it also is a chance to remind me that I can take a break and the world will still keep spinning. 

In the end, it all depends on God, not me. No matter what we’re talking about, nothing will be successful without the Lord. This doesn’t mean we sit around and wait for God to answer all of our requests and prayers while we do nothing. It does mean that we likely give ourselves too much credit for the wins in our lives. The Bible is clear that any endeavor will crumble without the Lord’s blessing. A simple thing like allowing yourself to take a nap is an easy way to remind yourself of this truth.    

3. What Will I Eat?

If cooking feels like more of a chore than a joy, skip your typical meal routines and head to a restaurant, grab take-out, or eat a simple meal.  For some of you, spending a leisurely day in the kitchen preparing a special multi-course meal while sipping on your favorite beverage sounds delightful.  I’m guessing not many Mamas are in your camp, though!

What Sabbath Looks Like for Me

1. Get More Rest

This can look like an earlier bedtime the night before, sleeping in, or a nap during the day. I used to feel guilty for taking a nap because it seemed like wasted time. I eventually learned that I have got to make time for sleep. Sabbath gives me the permission slip I need to make room for more rest.

Take note of what fills up your energy reserves. It doesn’t mean vegging out on the couch all day, but it could mean taking a long walk or a long bath. It could look like spending time with friends or by yourself. Maybe you need an adventure. Or maybe a nap is what you need! Take an inventory of what will help you feel refueled and re-energized for your upcoming week.

2. Extra Time in My Bible and Reading

I LOVE to read, and I try to give myself extra time to slow down and allow more time for Bible reading and reading for enjoyment. Sometimes I have to divide my time throughout the day, but usually, we have a slow morning where kids are playing, and I’m in the living room with my Bible or books. Spending time in my Bible is one of the ways I feel most connected to God.

3. Prayer Walks: 

I try to sneak in a prayer walk on Sabbath if possible. It may be by myself or with my family. It may be 5 minutes or 30 minutes. Prayer walking is simply walking and talking with God. I may run through people in my life to pray for or spill my thoughts and heart to the Lord. It just depends on the day.  

4. Getting Outside:

There’s something about leaving the confines of my household to-do list and being in nature that allows me to relax more than I can indoors. I’ll take a walk or just shift activities like meals or reading outdoors when possible. A family walk is typically a staple of our Sabbath days.

5. Ditch the Chores:

I don’t know if it’s just me, but it is so difficult to refrain from accomplishing tasks for just one day. It is tempting to try to get ahead on household tasks or other endeavors, but exercising my ability to say “no” to work is good for me! Avoid all non-essentials. Embrace the discomfort of taking a break.

6. Eat Some Good Food: 

Cooking is a no-go for me, but it doesn’t mean it has to be that way for you. Some people may find cooking a special meal life-giving, but I’d rather order take-out or have my husband grill up a simple dinner. You can go the semi-homemade route and pick up some pre-made foods or special dips with chips and crackers for your meal.

For the People Who Are Too Busy to Take a Sabbath…

If you’re a Christian who thinks rest is unnecessary or that you can’t afford to rest, you may struggle with trusting God. You may also wrestle with pride and think that you are more important than you are.
Those in ministry roles (vocational and otherwise) tend to be the most guilty of this. I am talking from Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, pastors, and beyond.

If your responsibilities include shepherding and caring for people’s spiritual lives, you better be prioritizing rest even more. Ministry will drain your energy tanks more deeply because of the spiritual component of your work. This calling on your life is too vital for you to be running on an empty tank.
In reality, God doesn’t need us to accomplish His work. We get the privilege of stewarding our gifts and being co-laborers with Him, but if we prove unfaithful, God will find another person to do the job.

In the end, we can’t do anything without the Lord. Keeping a home running smoothly, succeeding in our careers, and seeing growth in our ministry endeavors, none of it succeeds without the Lord.
Sabbath is a gift! I know so many of you are running hard in your faith life, parenting, careers, and relationships, but as one of my favorite leaders said, “If you work hard, you’ve got to rest hard.”
Setting aside 24hr hours to refrain from work, chores, and commitments takes trust in the Lord and as much discipline as it takes to complete other endeavors. You’d be amazed at the self-control it takes to avoid squeezing in moments of productivity on a day that is designed for rest. (It’s me, I’m the one that struggles with that!)

Do you practice a weekly Sabbath? Are you ready to start a weekly Sabbath rhythm in your home? Let me know in the comments below!

You can also check out some recommendations for how to Sabbath with little kids here.

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