---
title: "Question 117: How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 117: How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified? The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times si"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-117-how-is-the-sabbath-or-the-lords-day-to/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=138"
---

# Question 117: How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified? | Westminster Larger Catechism

The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful; and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God’s worship: and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose, and seasonably to despatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.

Scripture proofs: Ex. 20:8, 10; Ex. 16:25-28; Neh. 13:15-22; Jer. 17:21-22; Matt. 12:1-13; Isa. 58: 13; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Ps. 92 title; Isa. 66:23; Lev. 23:3; Ex. 20: 8; Luke 23:54, 56; Ex. 16:22, 25-26, 29; Neh. 13:19.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=138)

## Related reading

- [Keeping the Lord’s Day](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/lords-day/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-and-highest-end-of-man/)
- [Find teaching on worship](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=worship)
- [Question 116](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-116-what-is-required-in-the-fourth-commandment/)
- [Question 118](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-118-why-is-the-charge-of-keeping-the-sabbath-more/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-117-how-is-the-sabbath-or-the-lords-day-to/