What comes to your mind when you think about Sabbath? For some of us, it reminds us of strict guidelines telling us what we can’t do on a certain day. For others of us, it reminds us of law in the Bible that seems a bit odd. For others of us, nothing comes to mind because it is something we’ve never heard much about. The word Sabbath comes from a Hebrew word that means to stop. The idea is to have one “stop day” when you stop doing all your work and instead focus on relationships, specifically, your relationship with God and with others. But can we truly have an entire “stop day?” That can feel overwhelming, especially in our busy, fast-paced world. But, Sabbath is less about the amount of time and more about our heart’s posture. So today, let’s look at what your Sabbath could look like, even in small beginnings.

Exodus 20:8-10
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”

Sabbath is God’s gift to us: a time to pause, rest and realign ourselves with His peace and presence. It’s time set apart, holy and sacred, reminding us that our worth is not in our productivity. But what if a full day seems impossible? Start small. Your Sabbath rest can begin with setting aside an hour or even a half-hour to experience intentional rest. When you take even a small amount of time to pause, you’re honoring God’s invitation to step back from the rush and enter into His presence. Consider a few simple ways to start your Sabbath today:

Step Away from Routine Tasks: Put down your work, even if only for a little while. For this hour, let emails, chores and errands wait. God invites us to let go of our daily burdens and to rest in Him. This can be a few minutes of quiet time with a cup of coffee, listening to worship music or reading a few verses from the Bible.

Embrace Delight: Ask yourself, “What fills my heart with joy and gratitude?” Sabbath is not just about ceasing from work; it’s about delighting in God’s blessings. Take a walk, notice the beauty of creation or enjoy a simple meal with loved ones. Embracing joy in small ways is a beautiful beginning.

Reflect on God’s Goodness: Use this time to remember and give thanks. Exodus 20 reminds us that Sabbath is a time set apart to “keep it holy.” During your Sabbath, consider writing down moments from your day or week where you felt God’s presence or saw His goodness. This small act of reflection can deepen our worship and connection with God. God rejoices when we approach Him, even with small acts of faithfulness. By choosing to pause, even briefly, you’re drawing closer to the heart of Sabbath. Let today be a small but meaningful step toward embracing God’s rhythm of rest.

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for the invitation to rest and to delight in You. Teach me how to embrace Sabbath, even in small ways. Help me pause and remember that I am enough simply because You made me. Let today’s rest be a reminder of Your love and goodness. Amen.

This week, remember this small beginning of Sabbath. May these moments of rest grow deeper each week, leading you into the fullness of God’s peace and renewal. You were made for this!

As you linger on your Sabbath, reflect on how our rest in God is connected to our full understanding of our identity in Him. As you reflect, take your time. Read each Scripture passage a few times and write down the phrases and words that stick out to you about your identity in God.

Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (NIV)

The beginning of Genesis outlines the world’s creation story and how God created humanity. Our core identity is centered around being an image-bearer of God. The God who created light and darkness, water and land, the sun and moon has made us in His image. That fact alone should stop us in our tracks! But what does this mean for us? It means that at the center of who we are, we are made to reflect the nature and character of God.

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. (NIV)

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)

Living as God’s Image-Bearers: Psalm 139 is a powerful reminder that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who knows us intimately. As image-bearers of God, we are not accidents or afterthoughts; we are intentionally crafted by Him, designed to reflect His character and love. Our identity means we are people created by God and for God. It also means living in the freedom that comes from being chosen, loved and set apart for His purposes. When we live in the knowledge that we are chosen and loved, our hearts are free to rest in God’s peace, unburdened by the need to achieve or prove ourselves. Sabbath becomes an opportunity to celebrate this truth, inviting us to rest not because of what we’ve done but because of who God has made us to be.

Reflecting Through Psalm 139: During your Sabbath, take time to read and reflect on Psalm 139. Let these verses remind you of God’s intimate knowledge of your heart and life. Reflect on what it means to be fully known and still deeply loved. And invite God to search your heart, bringing any anxious or restless ways to light. Write down what God reveals, and surrender those thoughts or burdens to Him in prayer. Trust that His love and grace cover every weakness and fear.

Closing Prayer
Father God, I pray you will help me remember who we are in You. Thank You for calling me Yours and loving me regardless of what I achieve or do not achieve. Thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me the freedom to live rooted in who I am in You. As I engage in Sabbath, help me take a deep breath and rest in the peace of being freely loved and Your chosen child. Amen.

This week, embrace the freedom to be in God’s love and experience the peace of true Sabbath rest. You were made for this!

The Sabbath is an invitation to pause and reflect on the profound truth that God’s presence surrounds us and His purpose sustains us. Reflecting on God’s presence allows us to see His hand at work in our daily lives while contemplating how His purpose reorients our hearts toward His plans for us. The Sabbath is not merely a break from routine but a sacred rhythm designed to refresh our souls, deepen our trust in God and realign us with His peace and purpose. Through rest, we learn to receive His love and rediscover the joy of simply being in His presence.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (NIV)

Stillness creates space to recognize God’s presence in and around us. Whether through quiet prayer, a meditative walk in nature or reflective reading, Sabbath invites us to slow down and reconnect with our Creator. Here are a few practical ways to ground yourself in God’s presence during your Sabbath:

Read Scripture: Spend time with the following Scripture passage from Matthew 11. Read it slowly and let the words settle into your heart. Reflect on what it means for God to be your rest.

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

Take a Walk in Nature: Engage with God’s creation by walking in a local park. Notice the beauty around you and thank God for His handiwork.

Practice Listening Prayer: Set aside a few minutes to sit in silence, asking God to speak to your heart. Begin with a simple prayer like, “Lord, I’m here to listen.” Write down any impressions or Scriptures that come to mind. Taking this time to reflect allows us to discern how God is working in and through us.

Embrace Quiet Reflection: Sabbath is not a performance but a gift. Instead of striving to “do Sabbath right,” allow yourself to receive God’s love and rest. Lean into practices that encourage stillness and gratitude, such as pausing in prayer, marveling at God’s creation or journaling your reflections.

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for the gift of Sabbath—a time to cease striving and to receive Your presence and peace. Quiet my heart, open my eyes to see You and guide me in Your purposes. Help me to trust that my value is not in what I achieve but in who You’ve made me to be. Teach me to rest in Your love today. Amen.

This week, receive the peace and presence of God as His gift to you. You were made for this!

Embracing Community and Connection
Getting caught up in agendas—schedules, tasks and seemingly endless “to-do” lists—is easy in our fast-paced world. Many individuals and families feel like their lives have become a whirlwind of constant activity, where they run from one activity to the next but don’t have time to dig deep into relationships. Sabbath is about connection—connecting with God and connecting with others.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

Acts 2:46
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. (NIV)

God designed us for relationships, and spending intentional, unhurried time with the people around us—family, friends and neighbors—is a significant part of that. Sabbath allows us to slow down and invest in the relationships that matter most. It’s not about rushing through meals or conversations with the goal of “getting it over with”—it’s about being present, sharing joy and deepening connection. This means setting aside time to engage fully with those around us without distractions or the pull of work.

Unhurried Conversations: Set aside time for uninterrupted conversations with loved ones during your Sabbath. Whether over coffee, during a walk or at the dinner table, take time to truly listen to each other. Avoid the pressure to rush through your meal or conversation. Give yourselves the grace to linger, rest in each other’s company and enjoy the simplicity of shared time together.

A Shared Meal: Preparing and sharing a meal can be a beautiful way to foster connection. On your Sabbath, invite friends and loved ones over or plan a shared family meal. Choose a meal that brings everyone together—a favorite family recipe or a simple, slow-cooked dish. The key is to linger at the table, enjoying the food, the conversation and the people around you.

Distraction-Free Time: To truly connect, consider putting away your phones and devices. Allow the conversation to flow without interruptions. If you’re spending time with family, consider setting a timer to limit screen time and encourage each person to engage in the moment fully.

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for the gift of community. Please help me embrace relationships with the same intentionality as I approach rest. Teach me to slow down and be present with those I love, to build deep connections without the distraction of my busy agenda. May my Sabbath be a time of meaningful fellowship, where Your love is reflected in every connection. Amen.

This week, explore how you can embrace the gift of community during your Sabbath time, building relationships instead of rushing through agendas. You were made for this! 

What is the purpose of Sabbath? Is it simply a time to rest and recharge? As humans, we all have a limited energy supply. A period of rest is necessary. But Sabbath is not just about rest—it’s about realigning our hearts to Jesus’ mission.

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)

The mission of Jesus is not meant to be carried out through sheer willpower but through reliance on God’s presence and strength. Sabbath creates space to reflect on this mission, rest in God’s love and be renewed for the work He has called us to. Living out Jesus’ mission flows from a place of spiritual rest, where our purpose is grounded in Him, not in our striving.

Mission and Rest: When we take time to pause, reflect and reconnect with God, we are better equipped to live out Jesus’ mission with clarity and peace. Sabbath gives us a moment to break the cycle of busyness, which breeds forgetfulness. We cannot afford to be constantly busy because we are called to an intentional mission—sharing the gospel and inviting others into a relationship with Jesus—a mission that also comes with the promise that Jesus is with us, always.

Pray for Just One: Living out Jesus’ mission begins with simple steps. During your Sabbath, commit to praying for just one person in your neighborhood. Ask God to open doors for deeper relationship and opportunities to share His love. As you pray, trust that God will guide your interactions and show you how to reflect His light to this person. Consider these steps:

• Identify one person God has placed on your heart.
• Pray for them, asking God to reveal Himself in their life.
• Be attentive to how God might use you to encourage or serve them.
• Trust that small acts of faithfulness can have an eternal impact.

Reflect on Your Relationship with Jesus: During your Sabbath, reflect on how Jesus has impacted your life. Reflect on how salvation in Jesus has led you to delight in God’s character more deeply. Reflecting and remembering the work of Jesus in your own life will fuel a life of thankfulness and a deep desire to share the love of Jesus with others.

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for the gift of Sabbath, where I can rest in Your presence and realign my heart with Your mission. Help me to see the opportunities You place before me to share Your love and truth. Strengthen me for the work of making disciples and remind me that You are with me every step of the way. This week, as I pray for just one person, open doors for connection and allow me to reflect Your light in their lives. Amen.

This week, rest in God’s presence, reflect on His mission and take a step of faith by praying for just one person. You were made for this!