Have you ever stopped to wonder why, as believers, we’d never dream of dismissing God’s commands against murder, adultery, theft, or lying—yet we routinely ignore “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”? I certainly have.

So… there I was reflecting on the lineup of God’s top ten, and I couldn’t stop thinking about number four—the Sabbath.

When was the last time I heard a message on that?

(Never.)

When have I intentionally carved out sacred space for rest, worship, and trust, not out of duty or legalism, but as an overflow of God’s design for real soul health? (Not often enough.)

The truth is, in our Western, hustle-obsessed culture, Sabbath feels almost subversive. It runs counter to the American ideal that measures our worth by our productivity. If you’re like me—a parent pulled in about twenty different directions, juggling demanding schedules, ministry, and a very real need for downtime—you might honestly wonder if true Sabbath rest is even possible. Or necessary.

In this week’s episodeof Christian Parent/Crazy World, I sit down with Dr. Steven Hall, a veteran minister, college professor, and Sabbath enthusiast, to dig into the biblical roots and modern neglect of this often-overlooked commandment. We don’t shy away from the big questions:

Is Sabbath just an Old Testament rule?

What does “rest” really look like in real life? How can we recover God’s rhythm for our homes, our faith, and our sanity?

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🎙 Meet My Guest: Dr. Steven Hall

I’m honored to welcome back Dr. Hall—a seasoned minister with nearly four decades of experience, an Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Lee University, and cofounder of Ministry Oasis (a ministry devoted to the soul health of pastors and ministry leaders).
 

Dr. Hall is not only a passionate preacher and teacher but also knows the pull of everyday life, family, and grandparenting—his grandkids even call him “grand dude” after his love for surfing! Whether shepherding pastors or teaching students, Dr. Hall lives and breathes the kind of practical, grace-filled wisdom that makes Sabbath rest feel possible again.

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🌸 Episode Highlights: Why Sabbath Still Matters—for You and Your Family

✨ Why Is The Fourth Commandment Ignored?
We instinctively keep God’s commands about honesty and purity—but we almost never hear sermons or studies on Sabbath. Dr. Hall shares why this is “the ignored commandment” and what’s at stake for our spiritual and emotional health when we forget it.

🕰 A Rhythm Built Into Creation
Before Sabbath became law, God wove rest into the fabric of creation itself—pre-fall, pre-sin. Our first full day as humans was a day of rest, not work. “Humans were designed to work from rest, not rest from work,” Dr. Hall explains.

💧 Are You a Pipeline or a Reservoir?
We so often live as “pipelines”—constantly pouring out but never filling up. Dr. Hall urges us to think like reservoirs, drawing deep on God’s presence, so we can overflow with love for our families.

👀 Hidden Sins vs. Willful Neglect
Do we even know we’re breaking the Sabbath? Or has our culture (and sometimes even our churches!) taught us to ignore it? We discuss the crucial difference between ignorance and deliberate neglect—and why God’s heart is always for restoration, not condemnation.

🙏 Sabbath as Gift, Not Burden
Jesus never abolished Sabbath—He reclaimed it as a gift made for us. Sabbath isn’t about legalism or shame; it’s about being refilled, refreshed, and restored.

🛑 Practical Next Steps—Even for Overwhelmed Parents
Worried that true rest is out of reach? Next week, Dr. Hall introduces “micro-sabbathing” and simple, actionable steps for overcommitted parents.

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🎧 Listen Now & Hit Reset for Your Family

This isn’t just another episode on spiritual disciplines—it’s an invitation to receive God’s gift of rest for the sake of your soul and your family.

🔗 Click here to listen on Life Audio
 

Or find CP/CW  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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💬 A Quote to Reflect On

“Humans were designed to work from rest, not rest from work. Sabbath is baked into creation—pre-fall, pre-law. The very first full day of human existence was rest.”
— Dr. Hall

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🌿 An Encouraging Word For Parents

Moms and dads, the world will keep telling you to do more, try harder, and never stop. But God invites you to something better—His own rhythm of grace, connection, and holy pause. Sabbath rest isn’t a luxury for the super-spiritual; it’s a necessity for every child of God who wants to love well and live well.

What if the bravest thing you could do this week was to rest?

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✨ Questions to Consider

• How does your family’s schedule reflect your true priorities?
• Is Sabbath just a “day off” for you, or a rhythm of real restoration?
• What small change could you make to reclaim sacred rest this week?

Let’s break the cycle of busyness and rediscover a rest that actually fills us—so we can pour out love to our families, from the overflow God intends.

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🌟 Don’t Miss Next Week! 🌟

Be sure to join me and Dr. Hall for next week’s episode, where we move from big-picture theology to real-life transformation. We’ll dive into practical, grace-filled ways to practice Sabbath in your crazy busy life—even if you think it’s impossible! You’ll discover that making space for rest isn’t as hard as you might think, and you’ll walk away with creative, doable ideas (like “micro-sabbathing”) that can refresh your soul and your family—right in the middle of real-life chaos.

👀 Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and get ready to breathe again. This is the episode you can’t afford to miss!

Episode Links & Resources

• Ministry Oasis
  Discover more about Dr. Steven Hall’s ministry for the soul health of pastors and Christian leaders at ministryoasis.com
• Books Mentioned
  • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
    Find it on Amazon
  • Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
    Find it on Amazon
  • Works by Walter Brueggemann, including Sabbath as Resistance
    Find it on Amazon
  • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
    Find it on Amazon