Sundays

The idea of Sunday comes from the Jewish practice of keeping the Sabbath (Holy day). For Jews this was from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. The early Christians took Sunday as their Sabbath in honour of Christ's resurrection. This honours the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8).

Many Christians go to a church service on Sunday, as Christianity is a community faith, so to be a Christian means to meet with other Christians in shared worship. At church Christians receive receive a weekly lesson from bible. The minister will then give a talk or sermon which will help the congregation understand the passage from the bible, this helps them develop as Christians.

Many Christians supported the "keep Sunday special" campaign which was against shops opening on Sundays. On Sunday Christians are expected to spend time with their families. The purpose of this is to allow people to live fully human lives. If they work seven days a week their lives are not fully human. No society can be healthy unless its people are healthy in mind and body, so a day of rest is very important. Also, a day for the family helps to strengthen family relationships which Christians value very greatly. Christians believe that the family is the basic unit of society, and that healthy families make for healthy societies. Hence a special day for the family is important for society as a whole.

Jesus' comments on the Sabbath (Sunday)

"Jesus was walking through some cornfields on the Sabbath. As his disciples walked along with him they began to pick the ears of corn. Some of the Pharisees (the Jewish religious leaders) said to Jesus "Look it is against the law for your disciples to do that on the Sabbath". Jesus answered, "Have you never read what David did that time when he needed something to eat ? He and his men went into the house of God and ate the bread on the altar that had been offered to God. According to the law only the priests could eat the bread but David and his men did because they were hungry." Then Jesus finished by saying "The Sabbath was made for the good of man; man was not made for the Sabbath"

Mark chapter 2,23 to chapter 3, verse 6

Key Question: For what reasons do Christians value the Sabbath (Sunday)?

Thought: Some people say that we should keep Sunday special and not allow shops to open. Others say that shops should be free to open at will. Others are concerned that Sunday trading will harm shop workers, who will be forced to work seven days a week. What are your views on Sunday trading?

Key Question: How important is church attendance in a Christian life? Is it possible for a person to be a Christian without going to church?