Create a short video or social media post and share what Sabbath means to you and why you love the Sabbath!
For example: Is it the chance to get out in nature? Perhaps it’s being able to switch off from the stress of work or study? Share what a blessing Sabbath is to you and invite others to try it too!
Don't endure Sabbath - enjoy it!
Share your Sabbath Testimony
Donate Blood
Do a study on the symbology of blood in the Bible and then take your family, or some church friends, to donate blood so that others can live.
Give a Compliment
Think back through the past week's events at church, work, home etc and send a message complementing people for their efforts and how well they did or how much you enjoyed or needed what they did.
Share Your Notes From Sermons
If you have a collection of notes from sermons or Bible study, find some worth sharing with family and friends, or on social media, so others can gain the same blessing as you received. It might even open up thought and conversation with those not in your church.
Mow Someone's Lawn
This might not seem immediately like a Sabbath idea and you may feel more comfortable carrying out this charitable gesture on any other day, up to you, but mowing someone's lawn who is unable to, for whatever reason, is a selfless gesture perhaps God would not be upset over if carried out on the Sabbath. It is good to do good on the Sabbath. It may even open up to conversation afterwards. Alternatively, during the Sabbath you could simply make contact and organise for a time to mow their grass, or any other gardening chores, during the week ahead.
Contact Ex-church Members
Have a think about ex-church members who no longer come to your church, whether they now attend another church or none at all. Contact them to say hello or plan to meet up. Be a friend. Listen. Don't judge.
Invite Neighbours to a Church Event
Consider what events are running at your local church and choose one to invite your neighbours, work colleagues or other friends to.
Nothing suitable to invite them to? Check out the close churches, or think about what event you would actually invite them to if it were running, and then help make that event happen in your church.
Nothing suitable to invite them to? Check out the close churches, or think about what event you would actually invite them to if it were running, and then help make that event happen in your church.
Give a Forgiveness Ticket
Know an area where people regularly get a parking tickets? Write some forgiveness notes to put under the wipers next to the real ticket.
It could say something like the following:
"I'm sorry to see you got a parking ticket, it's probably ruined a nice time out for you. You've probably done far worse in you life than this, and deserve far worse consequences, but it is such a blessing to know Jesus paid for all your and my sins so that we might have eternal life in a perfect world - the way life was intended to be lived. I'm not a rich person but email me at [insert email] with to code word "[insert a unique code word to keep track of people who can email you, like 'GRACE' ]" and I'll Paypal you $10 towards your parking ticket to help lighten your day. Serious!
You don't deserve this offer (just like we don't deserve salvation from our sins), but just like the gift of Salvation through Jesus, you only need accept to receive this free offer.
Happy Sabbath"
You don't necessarily need to offer the money, or could offer more or less to adjust the impact of the note. And also, it is possible you'll receive an abusive email in return, or even fake emails asking for separate $10s, so keep track of offers with a code word.
It could say something like the following:
"I'm sorry to see you got a parking ticket, it's probably ruined a nice time out for you. You've probably done far worse in you life than this, and deserve far worse consequences, but it is such a blessing to know Jesus paid for all your and my sins so that we might have eternal life in a perfect world - the way life was intended to be lived. I'm not a rich person but email me at [insert email] with to code word "[insert a unique code word to keep track of people who can email you, like 'GRACE' ]" and I'll Paypal you $10 towards your parking ticket to help lighten your day. Serious!
You don't deserve this offer (just like we don't deserve salvation from our sins), but just like the gift of Salvation through Jesus, you only need accept to receive this free offer.
Happy Sabbath"
You don't necessarily need to offer the money, or could offer more or less to adjust the impact of the note. And also, it is possible you'll receive an abusive email in return, or even fake emails asking for separate $10s, so keep track of offers with a code word.
Talk to a Gardening Neighbors
Go for a walk around your neighbourhood with the intention of stopping and talking to someone who's out gardening in their front yard or waking a dog. Compliment their garden/dog and ask about it.
Make Food Packs for the Homeless
Put some meals together in containers and hand them out to some of the homeless in your city. If you can, stay and chat and listen to their story and pray for them before you leave.
Gather Material to Hand out
Gather a collection of Christian magazines and books you have read which would be appropriate for non Christians to discover on a train, in a plane seat pocket or in a waiting room. Put some by your door or in your car so when you next go out you can take one to place in the community to be discovered. Finish by praying that someone who is seeking will find it find Jesus.
Make Giant Messages for Aircraft Passengers
Create a giant message, like "Happy Sabbath" or "Love you, God" or "Love" or "Jesus", either scratching in the sand at the beach, or in a large field with hay, or or using humans to shape
giant letters together, or some other place/method you have access too write a huge area, so overflying aircraft passengers can see it and be inspired or provoked into positive thoughts. If you're not
near planes, do it near a lookout or tall building, or have a drone go
up and take a picture of you.
Take your Garden to your Neighbors
Got
a fruit tree, vegetable garden or flowers in your yard? Select some and
deliver them to your neighbors. Plan some news to share with them and
some questions to ask them also to spark further conversation to help build the friendship.
Help at a Soup Kitchen
Volunteer to help out at a soup kitchen or ask of you can sit and chat with those being served. Find out their story.
Talk with the Homeless
Go and spend some time with a homeless person. Ask them about their story, their dreams, their fears. Pray for them before you leave, as well as before and after you visit them.
Leave Random Verses of Nature
Using colored permanent markers, write positive Bible verses on seashells or
smooth rocks. Then secretly leave them for people to discover on the
beach, park benches, bus stops or around your neighbourhood.
Offer to Take Tourist's Photos
Near a tourist spot? You'll find many visitors trying to take selfies and couples struggling to get themselves and the landmark in the photo. Go around offering to take pictures for the tourists.
As you give the camera back, and they thank you, wish them a "Happy Sabbath!" or have a business card with a Bible quote to give them, like: Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
As you give the camera back, and they thank you, wish them a "Happy Sabbath!" or have a business card with a Bible quote to give them, like: Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Fill a Backpack for the Homless
Fill a backpack full of good things for a homeless person, and then find someone to give it to.
You can purchase cheap second hand backpacks and warm clothing at charity shops, and food and personal hygiene items at discount stores also. For around $20 (depending what country you live in, of course) you can give many comforts to someone who has practically nothing!
Some ideas for the backpack's contents (but by no means are limited to) include:
Personal Grooming:
Fingernail clippers / fingernail files, comb, tooth brush, tooth paste, soap (and soap holding container), toilet paper, deodorant, wipes
Clothing:
Gloves, beanie, warm socks, scarf, rain jacket.
Other:
A blanket, shelter tarp, space blanket, freezer bags / snap lock bags to protect whatever the homeless has left, small umbrella
Nutrition related:
Can opener, plastic spoons, mug, and various food items
Hope:
A book...
You can purchase cheap second hand backpacks and warm clothing at charity shops, and food and personal hygiene items at discount stores also. For around $20 (depending what country you live in, of course) you can give many comforts to someone who has practically nothing!
Some ideas for the backpack's contents (but by no means are limited to) include:
Personal Grooming:
Fingernail clippers / fingernail files, comb, tooth brush, tooth paste, soap (and soap holding container), toilet paper, deodorant, wipes
Clothing:
Gloves, beanie, warm socks, scarf, rain jacket.
Other:
A blanket, shelter tarp, space blanket, freezer bags / snap lock bags to protect whatever the homeless has left, small umbrella
Nutrition related:
Can opener, plastic spoons, mug, and various food items
Hope:
A book...
Letterbox Invitations
Find out if your church has some materials to letterbox in your area that can invite people to something running at your church, like an evangelistic series, Bible study or church social. Otherwise, make some invites up yourself. Then obtain a bundle of them and go forth and letterbox! Invite a family member or friend to come with you for an added social element. Pray for occupants of the houses as you go and make sure you respect the "no advertising material" requests on letterboxes.