Welcome to our Sabbath series! This page is your hub for diving deeper into the gift of Sabbath rest. Below you’ll find resources, recommended readings, and ways to stay connected with this theme.
“Sabbath is not a pause from following Jesus—it’s one of the primary ways we follow Him.”
From the opening pages of Scripture to the life and teachings of Jesus, the Sabbath is revealed not as a burdensome rule, but as a life-giving rhythm designed to form God’s people. Before there was law, there was rest. Before Sinai’s commands, God was already teaching His newly freed people to trust Him through a weekly rhythm of provision and rest. Sabbath was God’s way of reshaping identity after generations of bondage.
In this series and on this resource page, you’ll find everything you need to explore the Sabbath through four movements:
Before the Law: Discover the Sabbath as a gift of rest embedded in creation.
Within the Law: See how the Sabbath became a cornerstone of Israel’s identity and a sign of freedom from endless toil.
Reclaimed by Jesus: Watch how Jesus restores the Sabbath’s true purpose as a blessing for human flourishing.
Practiced Today: Learn how the early Church understood Sabbath and how we can embrace it as a rhythm of grace in our modern lives.
Through these resources—including sermons, articles, recommended readings, and practical guides—you’ll be invited to resist hurry, reject productivity as your identity, and rediscover Sabbath as a profound act of trust.
Sabbath is not about doing less for God—it’s about becoming the kind of people who live with Him. It’s our weekly declaration that we are not defined by what we produce or achieve, but by the rest we find in our faithful Father.
Sermon Series and Videos:
Scripture References:
This series focuses on passages like Genesis 2:1–3, Exodus 20:8–11, and Mark 2:27
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 2:3 (NIV) “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Exodus 20:8 (NIV) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
Luke 4:16a (NIV) “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.”
Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV) “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
Memory Versus:
Book Recommendations:
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While this book covers more than just Sabbath, it includes a powerful section on the importance of rest and slowing down as a spiritual discipline.
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Brueggemann shows how practicing Sabbath is an act of resistance against a culture of constant production and hurry. It’s a compelling call to embrace rest as a gift from God.
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A beautiful, poetic exploration of the Jewish understanding of Sabbath. Heschel’s reflections offer profound insights into the spiritual and relational blessings of Sabbath rest.
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Swoboda explores how Sabbath is not just about rest, but about reshaping our lives in line with God’s rhythms. It’s a practical and theological look at how Sabbath can transform us.
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In this thoughtful and practical book, Marva J. Dawn walks readers through the four key dimensions of Sabbath-keeping: ceasing from work, resting in God, embracing intentional time with Him, and feasting on the joy of His presence. It’s an accessible guide to making the Sabbath a life-giving rhythm in a busy world.
Additional Resources
Articles aligned with Practicing the Way and contemplative Sabbath themes
Here are some solid online resources that explore Sabbath rest in a way that fits with spiritual formation and soul care (not performance-based religion):
Digging Deeper into Rest
An article that highlights John Mark Comer’s perspective on Sabbath as freedom from slavery to busyness — rooted in God’s rest and delight. (Preach It Teach It)
Sabbath — Reading Protestant & Catholic Authors (Renovaré)
A discussion oriented toward moving from theory to practice in Sabbath, worth reflecting on alongside other formative writers. (Renovare)
YouVersion Help: Rest/Sabbath Overview: Concise overview of biblical rest and finding peace in God, including links to related plans and verses. (YouVersion Support)
YouVersion Reading Plans on Sabbath: YouVersion Bible App is excellent for small-group or personal rhythms of Scripture + reflection. (YouVersion)
Here are two plans focused on Sabbath rest:
The Sabbath Practice (4 days) — curated from Practicing the Way material; simple daily reflections on rest in Jesus. (YouVersion | The Bible App | Bible.com)
Understanding the Sabbath (4 days) — explores what Sabbath is, isn’t, and how true rest is found in Christ. (YouVersion | The Bible App | Bible.com)
Open YouVersion and search for “The Sabbath Practice” or “Understanding the Sabbath” to start.
Note: YouVersion also lets you create and share custom reading plans with your church or small group.
Additional Resources
Practical “Baby Step” Sabbath Challenges
Here are accessible, low-barrier practices for anyone exploring Sabbath for the first time:
Foundational Steps
Define your Sabbath window (Start with 2 hours if a whole day feels too big).
Choose your primary focus:
Stop (turn off work)
Rest (sit quietly, read Scripture)
Delight (play, creative hobbies)
Worship (talk and listen with God)
Weekly Rhythm Challenges
Week 1 — Slow Start
☑ Turn off work notifications for 2 hours.
☑ Pray before and after Sabbath time.
☑ Read one Psalm slowly.
Week 2 — Body & Soul Rest
☑ Take a walk with no phone.
☑ Eat one meal slowly with gratitude.
☑ Notice God in creation or companionship
Week 3 — Delight & Play
☑ Do a hobby you love (no productivity goal).
☑ Invite a friend for shared rest or laughter.
Week 4 — Extend Grace
☑ Reflect on your soul’s pace this week.
☑ Ask: “What helped me rest? What distracted me?”
Gentle “Anti-Rules” for Beginners
Instead of you must … try:
“You get to choose…”
Skip one productivity task this Sabbath.
Let silence outweigh your screen noise.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s reorientation toward God’s rhythm.
Apps & Digital Support for Sabbath Keeping
Bible & Daily Rhythms
YouVersion Bible App — Scripture, plans, audio, and tracking, perfect for Sabbath reflection. (YouVersion)
Habit & Focus Support
Brick (getbrick.app) — a tool to create intentional digital boundaries.
Brick — How It Can Support Sabbath Keeping
What Brick Is
Brick is a physical distraction blocker paired with an app that limits phone access so you can focus on what matters. (Brick LLC)
Why Brick Helps Sabbath Practice
Sabbath invites presence, rest, and delight — not scrolling, busyness, or distraction. Brick works with intentionality:
1. Removes digital distraction
When you activate Brick Mode, your phone becomes a tool with limits. This aligns with Sabbath’s call to quiet from work & noise. (Brick LLC)
2. Creates physical separation
Rather than just toggling settings, Brick requires you to physically set the distraction aside, helping your mind catch up with your intention. (Brick LLC)
3. Encourages planning
You can set up custom modes — e.g., Sabbath Mode — that only allow essential apps (Bible, music, podcasts) and block everything else. (Brick LLC)
4. Reinforces rhythms
Rather than resisting temptation, you create an environment where rest becomes easier — a practical aid to Sabbath rhythms, not a burden.