3rd July 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to do a Sabbath<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Laying aside the daily calendar we need to be convinced that this is to be a 24 hours period and that it should ideally start and end at sunset (\u2026 there was evening and there was morning \u2026). What happens between those two markers is up to you \u2026 prayerfully, of course. But, even then, we must consider seasonal variations. In the UK, sunset can vary from 4pm (height of winter) to past 9pm (height of summer). If we were to stick to the form<\/em> (Sabbath starts at sunset) then we are either going to have a very late supper, which could be problematic for the kiddies or a very early supper, not so good for those who commute to work. So, let\u2019s stick to the function<\/em> (a time of peace and rest) and declare the start of the Sabbath at a time that is convenient for you<\/em>. Let\u2019s not get too religious about this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some pointers you may want to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will need to develop a specific liturgy, that which works best for your family. This may already be something that you have developed together or perhaps this is a new thing. The idea is to spend a short time now in worship to the Lord, but doing so by using your own \u2018order of service\u2019. You may wish to skip this step at first, but it would certainly be a good thing if this can be developed over time, with the agreement and involvement of all members of the family and, if possible, including every member of the family in the service itself, rather than the father doing all of the work. Here are some possible elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These elements are optional and totally up to you, but it would be advisable to incorporate at least some of them, to build a spiritual foundation for the Sabbath as well as a show of unity and togetherness that will be carried through to the Sabbath itself. (Of course, you may, through a variety of circumstances, be \u2018running solo\u2019 but there\u2019s no reason why one couldn\u2019t enjoy the Sabbath as a single individual. With God on your side, you\u2019re never going to be really alone).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is now an evening to look forward to, followed by a morning and afternoon. How do we fill this up in the spirit of Sabbath? What will we be doing that we don\u2019t normally do in the rest of the week? What will we, or won\u2019t we be doing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, all I can give is pointers, but it is important to avoid any pitfalls that may invalidate the whole experience. And here\u2019s the biggest of them all:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mobile phone \/ cell phone \/ \u2018second brain\u2019 \/ \u2018ever-present friend\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In recent surveys 94% of millennials go online daily, mostly through their phone, spending around 7 hours a day consuming media! Yes there was a day when these gadgets weren\u2019t glued to our hands and ears, but most of us can\u2019t remember this, although it was only a few years ago! How can your average family, let alone the addicted \u2018millenials\u2019 survive 24 hours without one? Because \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sabbath HAS TO BE<\/strong> a mobile-free zone, if it is going to work by encouraging us to rest and cut ourselves off from the distractions of the world outside the ring-fence. Phone calls \/ text messages \/ WhatsApp notifications \/ tweets \/ Facebook posts \/ Instagrams (and whatever\u2019s the \u2018new kid on the block\u2019 since going to press) are a constant source of anxiety, whether through receiving them, not receiving them or anticipating receiving them \/ not receiving them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How are you going to cope? Here are two possible strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other distractions \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n They all seem to involve electricity and so perhaps we should envy the ultra-orthodox Jews who do not permit the use of electric devices at all on the Sabbath (unless they were switched on before-hand).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Computers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the PC is the central focus of most work environments, it really has no place within a Sabbath, where a \u2018time of rest\u2019 has been specifically set aside to escape from work! Perhaps they can be covered by a cloth, so that they do not entice any family members into \u2018their world\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Televisions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The average amount of time the average person spends in front of \u2018the box\u2019 (or \u2018the panel\u2019 as they are no longer box-shaped!) is far too large and is even worse if you add to it the hours people spend consuming TV\/videos on their mobile phones. Yet there can be a place for it on a Sabbath, if there is a communal experience watching a suitable tasteful film or TV show. It doesn\u2019t necessarily have to have a worthy theme, or even a Christian one, sometimes we all need a bit of good clean mindless fun together as a bonding experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christian TV is not always a good idea, unless a specific suitable show is targeted. There is a lot of dross and inappropriate programming that can do more harm than good with indiscriminate viewing. Prosperity preachers loom large, particularly with the USA channels and should be avoided at all cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Radio\/CDs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Good worship CDs are to be welcomed, as are worship channels on the radio. Christian Talk radio is best avoided, as it is unlikely that material would be appropriate for the whole family as we have to remind ourselves that, ideally on the Sabbath, we are looking for activities that all members of the family can feel comfortable with and that would serve to create a peaceful and restful environment. \u2018Hell and brimstone\u2019 preaching is not conducive to this, or even solid Bible teaching if it is pitched at a higher level than your kids\u2019 levels of comprehension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what shall we do on the Sabbath?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s think, first, of the objectives for this day. Look at it as a little cushioned \u2018time\u2019 compartment, separated from the hours leading in and the hours leading out. It is a holy<\/em> time, in fact it is the first thing \u2018made holy\u2019 in God\u2019s Creation (Genesis 2:3). It is as if time stands still within this compartment, kept apart from the hurly burly and distractions outside. And the purpose of this is to give a group of people, whether a biological family or \u2018spiritual\u2019 family, room to breathe in a safe secure environment, free to enjoy each other and to connect individually and corporately with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most contentious issues regarding Sabbath is the definition of \u201cwork\u201d, as in \u201con this day you shall not do any work<\/em>\u201d. This is a clear example of form and function in action, where we discover that God is particularly interested in function over form. What this means is that we should concentrate on ceasing activities that fit the definition \u201cthat which I do in order to earn a crust of bread<\/em>\u201d rather than all activities per se. Does God really want us go through logistical nightmares on a day of rest<\/em> just to use electricity, or driving the elderly, or cooking? I very much doubt it. What He doesn\u2019t want us doing is monitoring emails, writing reports, taking business calls or discussing work-related topics with all and sundry. What He does want us to do is to enjoy Him and our close family without worrying over any possible infractions of man-made laws that surround the Sabbath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For it to work, there needs to be a \u2018Sabbath\u2019 state of mind for every family member, where:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A RECIPE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some suggestions of things you may want to do during the Sabbath:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course it all depends on your particular family distinctive. We are all different in character and approach to life, and so it is too with family groups. You may be a family that likes discussion and (healthy) argument. If so, here\u2019s a suggestion for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or you may be a fun family that likes to keep things light. If so, how about this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or, if you are both fun and serious, here\u2019s another suggestion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some suggestions of things that you may not<\/strong> want to do during the<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sabbath:<\/p>\n\n\n\n