Practical Guidelines for Honoring the Sabbath Day

Honoring the Sabbath is the essential test of loyalty to the Creator, requiring a complete cessation of worldly labor and a focused dedication of the mind to worship and acts of necessity or mercy10MR 91.2+2. God requires a strict and sacred observance of the seventh day, as it is His sign and seal of allegiance between Himself and His people Exodus 31:13, 175MR 121.3+1.

• Preparation and Punctuality: All secular duties and business must be completed within the six working days to ensure not one hour of holy time is infringed upon1T 531.2+1.

• Business Integrity: Believers must not enter into partnerships with unbelievers where business is conducted on the Sabbath, as sharing in the profits of such labor makes one a transgressor4LtMs, Ms 3, 1885, par. 4.

• Family Training: Parents are responsible for restraining children from seeking their own pleasure, such as roaming the streets or playing games, on the holy day5T 36.3+2.

• Acts of Mercy: Following Christ's example, it is lawful and right to perform works of healing and to assist those in necessity or distress on the Sabbath22LtMs, Lt 258, 1907, par. 24+2.

• Education and Employment: If schools or employers require Saturday attendance, the faithful must prioritize God's law over worldly advantages, trusting that He will provide for their necessities16MR 51.3+2.

• Sacred Focus: During travel on Sabbath, one should seek to "shut the gate" of the mind against undesirable surroundings to remain enclosed with the Lord10LtMs, Lt 63, 1895, par. 3.

• Avoid Self-Indulgence: The Sabbath is not a day for pleasure excursions, social entertainments, or unnecessary cooking, but a day for spiritual growth and missionary laborTSDF 110.6+2.

Top References: Exodus 31:12-17+3.

Imagine the Sabbath is like a beautiful, golden birthday party that the Creator of the whole world throws every single week just for usRR 64.3+1 Exo 20:11. To honor this special day, you should treat it like a "golden link" that connects your heart to Heaven7MR 111.4.

What You Should Do

You should get everything ready on Friday, which is our special "preparation day," so that when the sun goes down, you can welcome the Sabbath with a happy heartRR 64.3+1 Exo 16:23. This means picking out your clothes and making sure your house is quiet and peaceful so there is no rushing or loud shouting5MR 80.2+1. You should make the day so much fun and so interesting that everyone in your family "hails it with joy" and looks forward to it all week longCG 536.2+1. It is a wonderful time to go outside and look at the trees and flowers God made, to pray, and to do kind things for people who are sick or sad Matthew 12:12SJ 74.2+1. Most importantly, you should "shut the gate" of your mind to think only about Jesus and His love6T 356.3+1.

What You Should Not Do

You should not do any of your regular work or chores, like business deals, schoolwork, or even "cooking" that could have been done the day before13MR 293.3+2 Exo 16:23. It is best not to spend the day sleeping too late or just being lazy, because the Sabbath is for active worship and learningLUH April 14, 1909, par. 6+1. You should avoid talking about "common things" like money, buying stuff, or news that doesn't help you love God more Isaiah 58:1321MR 295.1+1. You should also not go on "pleasure excursions" or do things just to please yourself, because the day belongs entirely to God Isaiah 58:136MR 88.2+1. If we try to "rob God" of His holy time by doing our own things, we miss out on the giant blessings He has hidden inside the day3SG 293.1+1.