Keeping The Shabbat With Children

We are often asked the question about keeping the Shabbat ,even when you have children. Is it possible? Can it be done? Are there exceptions? How do I do it, and so on and so on. First we'll start off at what Scripture says. It says in Exodous- Shemoth 20:8 Remember the Shabbat day, to keep it set apart. And that means in my definition that on that day, especially everything revolves around nothing and no one but ALMIGHTY YHWH. To be honest it should be like that all the time,( in the phrase that I put, that everything should revolve around YHWH) We should always want to please YHWH in everything that we do, and say. Alright back to keeping the Shabbat with children, as we seen in Exodous- Shemoth 20: 8, Keeping the Shabbat is one of the Commands of YHWH, and it is no option, rather or not we do it, we MUST do it. For as the saying goes when YHWH says it ,that's enough, and that settles it, no if, ands, or buts about it. 

YHWH also commands that on the Shabbat we should do any work. So lets go to Exodous 20:9-11  9    Six days shall you labor, and do all your work:
SHEMOTH - EXODUS 20:10
  10    But the seventh day is the Shabbat of YAHWEH your ABBA: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:
SHEMOTH - EXODUS 20:11
  11    For in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YAHWEH blessed the Shabbat day, and set apart it.

So YHWH gives us six days to do work, but HE wants us to give the Shabbat to HIM. That's one of the reasons we rest, so we can look back over the week and meditate upon YHWH, how he has kept you throughout the week,and etc.. The Shabbat is there so we can rest , be refreshed, and just to delight in our ABBA. So with our children, and babies, how do we keep the Shabbat? I have 3 children from the ages 7 and down. So we as women must do what Torah Commands and that is as it states in Proverbs- Mishle 22:6 
  6     ¶  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
So we must train our children in the Ways of YHWH, we must constantly instruct them on what is right to do. Another way to do that, is that they also must see your life, and your pattern, and when they see it they will follow. They may not understand, in their young minds, but never stop training them. For one Scripture that I hang on to is Galations 6:9 which says:
   9    And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 
So on the Shabbat, my children even my baby, they don't play games, toys, they don't color, or etc..But as we are in service, I do let them take notes, in ther own little way. In short words, anything that gives me, or my children pleasure in doing, we don't do it. As I stated earlier teach them to dedicate that day especially to YHWH. On Shabbat mornings, you can tune in on the live stream and join in our live service, and when you do that, teach them to sit down, listen, and learn. after that give them a snack, or a meal that should have been prepared before the Shabbat. That's what we do we prepare a simple meal between Wednesday and Friday morning,so there is no cooking whatsoever on the Shabbat. And after they are finished eating, you could ask them what have they learned from Shabbat service. Then you could let them lay down, read Torah, or just lay there and listen to our radio station, or go over the Scriptures that was read in service, and ask them what they have learned, and be blessed. I pray that these simpl words were a blessing to you and that you be strengthen in all might, and the Power of YHWH. 1 amuel 15:22
 22    And Samuel said, Has YAHWEH as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of YAHWEH? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Proverbs 6:23
  23    For the commandment is a lamp; and the torah a light; and reproofs of instruction of discipline are a way of life:
Phillippians 4:13
    13    I can do all things through ha MessiYah which strengthens me. 
Leviticus 23:7
  7    In the first day you shall have an kodesh convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.
WAYYIORA - LEVITICUS 23:8
  8    But you shall offer an offering made by fire to YAHWEH seven days: in the seventh day is an kodesh convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.
You can visit yahwehsword.org for more information on this, and listen to the preaching. I know it will bless your ruach. Shalom shalom