Ideas for Children to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
As a Christian, you are commanded to worship the Sabbath and to keep it holy. In accordance with this law, you and your family may set aside one day each week to observe the Sabbath and worship God. Because it is important to share your spiritual beliefs and lifestyle with children, help your kids keep the Sabbath day holy, as well.
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God̵7;s Creation
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Refocusing attention away from cares of the world can be an important aspect of keeping the Sabbath day holy. Arrange to spend time in a natural setting, such as taking walks in the woods or visiting a secluded stream or lake. Pack a picnic and spend time with the family enjoying the quiet peacefulness found in natural environments, suggests Susan K. Rowland, writing for AmericanCatholic.org. If you bring Bibles, you could also have a quiet family Bible study in these peaceful surroundings. Call your children̵7;s attention to flowers, trees and wildlife that may be abundant in the area to help them learn about and appreciate God̵7;s creation.
Sabbath Rituals
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As other weekdays typically have their rituals of school and work, design Sabbath rituals to help your children differentiate between the days. You might make a special family breakfast together on Sabbath mornings. Attending worship services together as a family is an important part of keeping the Sabbath. Some families prepare a special afternoon or evening dinner, often inviting friends and family to share the repast. Add a family Bible study to the Sabbath routine to spend time together learning scriptures and discussing them. Encourage your children to ask questions during Bible study to help them learn.
Service Projects
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Find opportunities to serve or help others on the Sabbath, suggests Minister Richard Pinelli with the United Church of God. Serving at a food bank or homeless shelter may be a way to involve our entire family in an activity that benefits others. You might visit a lonely neighbor or shut-in, bringing a meal and blooming plant. You could write letters to deployed service people. You might write cards to send to ailing family or church members.
Sabbath Toys
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Create a bin filled with special Sabbath toys and activities for children to enjoy on this day of rest, advises the ̶0;LDS Living Magazine.̶1; Ideas for items to place in this bin include puzzles of Biblical scenes or characters, Bible storybooks, Biblical coloring books, costumes of Biblical characters and toys associated with Bible stories such as Noah̵7;s ark or the Garden of Eden. Make this bin available to your children only on the Sabbath so they learn that they should spend this day pursuing special activities, different from the other days of the week.
Catholicism
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If you are Catholic, go to Mass as a family, because celebrating Mass is a privilege and blessing, according to Father William Saunders, writing for the Catholic Education Resource Center. By setting aside the Sabbath to keep it holy, you teach your children to celebrate the Sabbath, as Jesus did. The Catholic Church instructs members to reflect, meditate and to spend time helping others on the Sabbath.
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