7 Simple Ideas for Welcoming the Sabbath Day on Friday Evening

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

As Proverbs 31 women, worshiping God is the single most important thing we do each week. If you’re wondering how to make the most of your Friday evening Sabbath celebration, I’ve got some great ideas for you! The Sabbath day is a time to rest and reflect on the past week. It’s a time to spend with family and friends and to enjoy God’s gifts. Here are some ideas on how you can welcome the Sabbath day on Friday evening each week.

As the sun sets on Friday evening each week, millions of Christians around the world welcome the beginning of the Sabbath day with sweet anticipation. The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship that is observed by many Christians and Jews around the world. Though the specifics may vary, the spirit of the Sabbath is typically one of reverence and peace.

What is the Sabbath Day?

The Sabbath day is a special day set aside each week for rest and worship. It is observed by Christians and Jews around the world. Though the specifics may vary, the spirit of the Sabbath is typically one of reverence, peace, and joy. The Sabbath is a day to celebrate all that God has done in your life and focus on the most important things in your life: faith and family.

When does the Sabbath begin?

Just like in Judaism, the Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday evening and lasts until nightfall on Saturday evening. For Sabbath keeping Christians, the Sabbath is typically observed from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.

When day does the Bible say is the Sabbath?

The Bible says: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

I began keeping the Sabbath over 20 years ago as a young mom and quickly came to enjoy keeping the Sabbath each week with my family. It wasn’t easy at first – I wasn’t raised keeping the Sabbath from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, but over time, I learned how to fully enjoy the Sabbath hours and now it’s my favorite day of the week! I can rest, worship, and enjoy my family – everything else gets put on hold until Sunday. I don’t have to feel guilty for not working. I can just enjoy the day of rest that God has gifted me with.

7 Ideas for Welcoming the Sabbath Day on Friday Evening

Are you looking for ideas to make your Sabbath Day special? Here are some great ideas to help you welcome the Sabbath on Friday evening. Whether you want to relax and enjoy some time with your family or have a fun and festive celebration, these ideas will help you create a meaningful experience.

#1 Festive Dinner on Friday Evening

One way to prepare for the Sabbath is to have a simple, but festive dinner with family or friends. This can be a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company before the start of the Sabbath. Some ideas for simple but festive meals would be:

  • a light pasta dish with a simple sauce
  • a soup and sandwich combo
  • a favorite crockpot recipe or one-pot meal
  • soup and cornbread
  • popcorn and fruit
  • your family’s favorite meal

Whatever you choose to serve, you can make it even more special by setting the table with pretty dishes and linens. Add a vase of fresh flowers or a lit candle to complete the look.

If you have small children, include them in the preparations for Sabbath dinner. Let them help set the table or choose flowers from the garden to put in a vase. This will help them to feel involved and excited about the coming day of rest.

Sabbath dinner is a time to enjoy good food and company. But it’s also a time to give thanks for all that God has given us. Take a moment before eating to say grace or share what you’re thankful for. This will help set the tone for the coming Sabbath.

Remember, how you approach the Sabbath is important. If you want your family to look forward to the Sabbath each week, the time you spend preparing for and enjoying the Sabbath should reflect your desire to make it meaningful. Make it a celebration and time of joy!

#2 Light Candles

Another way to create a peaceful atmosphere on Friday evening is to set the mood with candles and soft music. Candles can be placed around the room or table, and soft instrumental music can be played in the background. This will help create an environment that is conducive to rest and reflection.

#3 Enjoy time spent relaxing and chatting with loved ones

Spend time talking and laughing with loved ones. Whether it’s enjoying a meal together, sharing stories around the dinner table, or simply catching up on each other’s day, quality time with family and friends is a great way to unwind after a long week.

Remember that smiles, laughter, and goodwill go a long way to making time spent together even more enjoyable. In addition to being enjoyable, this time spent together can also help to create deeper bonds between people. So if you’re looking for a Sabbath Day tradition that will be both enjoyable and meaningful, spending time with loved ones is it!

#4 Read the Bible

The Sabbath is a day of reflection, and there is no better way to reflect on the events of the week than by reading the Holy Scriptures. Whether you read from the Old Testament, the New Testament, or both, reading the Scriptures will help you to focus your thoughts on God and His will for your life.

You can spend time alone reading the Scriptures, or you can read them together with family or friends.

If you’re reading together, take turns reading aloud and discuss what you’re reading as you go. This will help to ensure that everyone is getting the most out of the experience.

related: The Ultimate Guide to Reading the Bible for Beginners

#5 Listen to Christian music

Listening to your favorite religious music can help set the tone for the coming Sabbath and get everyone in the right frame of mind. There are so many great artists making beautiful and inspiring music these days, and there’s no better way to relax and reflect on the week than by listening to some of their songs and hymns.

Some of my favorite Christian artists for Sabbath are:

#6 Take a break from work and technology

As the sun sets on Friday evening, Sabbath-keeping Christians around the world begin to welcome the Sabbath. For many people, the Sabbath is a time to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with God and family.

Work and school can be so stressful, the Sabbath is a wonderful opportunity to set those stressors aside and just enjoy the blessings God has in store for your family.

On Friday evening, disconnecting from the workweek by powering down your computer and putting away your phone is a great idea. Instead, take some time to relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends and rest your mind and body.

#7 Sing songs and enjoy family worship together

One of the best ways to welcome the Sabbath Day on Friday evening is to sing songs and enjoy family worship together. This is a great way to set the tone for the Sabbath and to get everyone in the family involved. There are many beautiful Sabbath songs that can be enjoyed by all. If you don’t know any, there are many resources available online or in your local library.

Family worship is a wonderful way to connect with God and each other. It can be as simple as reading a few scriptures together or sharing a short devotional. Whatever you do, make it a special time that everyone can enjoy.

related: How to Get Started with Family Worship

No matter how you choose to spend the Sabbath Day, remember that it is a day to rest and reflect on all that God has done in your life. By taking some time each week to focus on Him, you will be able to find peace and joy in the midst of your busy life.

So take some time this Friday evening to prepare for the Sabbath Day, and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Sabbath rest is a beautiful gift that God gives us each week, one that we should all take the time to enjoy. I hope these tips have inspired you to create space for welcoming the sabbath on Friday evening in your home and heart.


What are some of your favorite ways to relax and rejuvenate on the Sabbath? Share them with me in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and be sure to share this post with your friends using the buttons below. Have a blessed Sabbath!​

Similar Posts

4 Comments

  1. It has been a wonderful one, I have really appreciated the package though we stay apart, am somewhere else my children are somewhere and my husband also stays somewhere else but there those that am keeping am going to start practicing it, I've loved it God bless you
  2. Ahhhh. We moved in with our son's family a couple of years ago and it's been difficult to find my way back to a purposeful Sabbath celebration. I recently ran across Isaiah 58:13-14 where it tells us not to do our own pleasure but solely honor His name on the Sabbath. With a house full of people (and dogs) that are not following the ways of God and no place to go off to alone, i am looking for simple ways to honor Him. The kids work hard and our son spends his free hours building a home for us on the property. I think making a family meal (crockpot or other such) for them to partake of at their leisure, if not with us, would be a good thing to do. I also need to step up my game in getting the house clean before the Sabbath, even if that is when they do their laundry and vacuuming and meal prepping for the week! Thank you for this inspiration!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *