The Seventh-day Adventist Church in 2025 is 23-million-strong.
Consider it: 23 million individuals worshipping every Sabbath; studying the same Sabbath School lesson; exchanging “Happy Sabbath” with a smile.
We share in something so special that it was created and made sacred by God himself at creation–the Sabbath.
Adventists are one of a handful of Christian denominations and world religions that celebrate the Sabbath on the seventh day, Saturday. It sets us apart and binds us together as we take part in a weekly celebration dating back to our very origin.
Sabbath is one of my favorite experiences each week, and I’m blessed to go to some of my favorite places and see some of my favorite people during Sabbath.
I believe our lives and our churches can become more enriched and our relationships deepened when we can bring the culture of Sabbath out of our church buildings on Sabbath. When we clean up the potluck tables and dish up the leftovers, we don’t have to leave the culture of Sabbath behind as we head to our vehicles. We can take it with us and it can bind us together through Sundays and Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays too.
Image the Sabbath is an afternoon on the beach. You relax. You pray. You swim. You laugh with friends. You pack up and go, but the sand follows you, gets into your car, clings to your skin and your hair. Pieces of your Sabbath can too.
What is the Sabbath–Really?
It’s about many things if you look at the details, but at its heart, Sabbath is about love. The values embodied in Jesus are the characteristics of God, and we can look at them in the gospels to learn what Sabbath is all about. Love, peace, joy, restoration, worship–these are the Sabbath values we can carry with us all week long. When we do, our relationships improve, the atmosphere of our home and workplace improves, and more.
6 Ways to Bring Sabbath Home
- Embrace the Sabbath mindset: love, peace, joy, and restoration.
On top of those values, there is the literal meaning of the Sabbath day, a day of rest for God after creation. Embrace the Sabbath mindset by acknowledging God as King and Creator everyday! - Cultivate love in church community life.
Create opportunities for the church community to lean into love throughout the week. Encourage authentic relationships by creating intentional spaces for community, fellowship, and mentorship. Encourage a Sabbath spirit through acts of kindness. Provide opportunities for conflict resolution through counseling or mentorships. - Make peace a defining characteristic of your church.
Intentionally slow down by inviting members to pause and reflect. Promote a healthy work-life balance by reviewing church ministry expectations. Train church leaders and members in peaceful communication and discourage gossiping and backbiting. Create a culture where prayer is the first response to stress instead of a last resort. - Make joy a permanent part of church culture.
Encourage vibrant, heartfelt praise not only on Sabbath but in small groups and personal devotion as well. Celebrate testimonies of how God works in the lives of the members. Create joyful service opportunities, and cultivate laughter and fellowship through social events, game nights, or family-friendly gatherings. - Infuse restoration and healing into everyday church life.
Offer small group counseling and support networks where people can process life’s challenges in a prayerful environment. Train leaders to check on struggling members. Encourage mature Christians to guide and mentor the newer ones. Encourage members to take breaks from electronics and work regularly throughout the week. - Don’t rush into the Sabbath.
Encourage members to ask each other “how are you preparing your heart for Sabbath?” Develop a culture of gradually slowing down as Friday approaches so there is no rush into the Sabbath. Prepare for Sabbath as a church and not only as individual families.
A Prayer for You
Father in Heaven,
We want to know You more–and that starts with carrying Your love, values, and Your gifts into the week with us. We don’t want to leave You in the church on Sabbath. We want You to abide with us throughout our week, preparing us for the Sabbath, and preparing our hearts and minds for the restoration that can take place on Your Sabbath. Thank You, Father, for the Sabbath and everything You give us through Your love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
