Sabbath
In a world that never stops, Sabbath is a radical act of resistance and a sacred invitation to reclaim our humanity. The word Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew) means to stop, to cease, to be done. It is a 24-hour period each week—traditionally from sundown to sundown—intentionally set apart as different from the rest of our time. It is a day for ceasing from work and striving, resting our bodies and minds, delighting in the goodness of life, and worshipping the God who holds all things together.
Sabbath is not just about switching off—it’s about tuning in. It is about deep connection: with God, with ourselves, with creation, and with others. It’s a day to savour slow meals with friends, worship together as a church, and enjoy unhurried time with those we love. Sabbath forms us into a different kind of people—people who resist the pull of hurry, accumulation, and achievement, and who live instead from a place of trust, joy, and presence.
This practice re-forms our hearts and realigns our lives with the Kingdom of God. It teaches us, week by week, that we are not what we do, what we own, or what others expect. It is a day to cease from work, anxiety and hurry—a day to practise eternity in time, and to live, however briefly, as if the kingdom of God were already here.
Resources
Keeping the Sabbath: A practical guide for people exploring the Spiritual practice of Sabbath
Recommended Reading:
- Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva J. Dawn
- Sabbath as Resistance by Walter Brueggemann
- The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
- The Sabbath by Dan Allender
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
- Sabbath in the Suburbs by MaryAnn McKibben Dana
Courses & Podcasts
- Sabbath Course – Practicing the Way
- Podcast: Rule of Life – Practicing the Way