Keep the Sabbath Holy
Sunday, May 17th, 2020
Read
Read through Genesis 2:1-3 and Exodus 20:8-11 with your child(ren).
Watch
Watch the video below created by Douglas Talks!
Discuss
In Hebrew, the word Sabbath means to stop or cease. God made this day for us because He knows what is best for us. He knows we need to rest. Ask your child(ren) what they think rest means and take this opportunity to explain. If you need an example, ask them to think about what happens when the iPad loses power. It has to recharge, right? That’s like us. We can get pretty tired and lose our energy. We need to recharge. That’s what our day of rest is for.
In Genesis, we see that God rested. In Exodus, He gives the Israelites the 4th commandment to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”. It’s clear that this day is pretty important or SPECIAL. Ask your child(ren) to think of some special days that we celebrate as a culture. ie. Mother’s Day, birthdays, etc. What about these days make them special? Do we honor someone or something on these days? Bring it back to the Sabbath being a day to honor God and to focus on Him.
As a family, take some time to talk about what your SPECIAL day is and what it loosely may look like. What does it mean outside of not working for you and your family? Does it mean no iPad for the day or no TV unless you are watching it together as a family? What about chores
The words/concepts below were touched on in the video and text that your child(ren) heard but may not fully understand. We encourage you to discuss them.
Sabbath
Holy
Rest
Observe
Activities
Family Sabbath Questions Jars
Start writing down big questions your kiddos ask you and put them in a questions jar. At some point in the week, let them draw one of the questions out that you will discuss together on your Sabbath. Drawing the question out earlier in the week can give you time as a parent/parents to think through explanations and teachings and it gives you great discussion to reorient your focus as a family on God that day.
If you have tissue paper, they can tear or cut pieces and glue them on the inside of the jar for a sun catcher vibe to put by the window.
If you’re feeling extra crafty and have popsicle/craft sticks lying around, they can paint the stick and then you can write the questions on the sticks.
Family Sabbath Activities Suggestion Boxes
Use empty tissues boxes to make suggestion boxes for activities to do on Sabbath together as a family. Encourage them to get creative with their boxes. They can drop in suggestions anytime during the week and you can draw one out together to plan for your Sabbath!
Coloring Sheets
Sabbath Coloring Sheet 1 - Download and print here
Sabbath Coloring Sheet 2 - Download and print here
Freeze Dance
Turn some fun music on. Have them dance as crazy and as fast as they want when the music is on and when the music stops, they have to drop to the ground and relax. This will help them understand the difference between regular days and the Sabbath. Maybe even say, “Okay, the music is on, it’s a regular day, go about your business!” and then when it’s off, say, “Okay, now it’s the Sabbath, time to rest”.