Book: Raising Giants – Study Guide: Chapter 15
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 9
- 6 min read
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” , Exodus 20:8–10 (ESV)
The Great Exhaustion: Why We Can’t Stop
In our current cultural moment, we are raising children in a landscape that never sleeps. The digital world has effectively erased the "off" switch. Whether it’s the constant ping of a notification, the pressure of a school assignment due on a Sunday night portal, or the endless scroll of social comparison, the modern family is living in a state of chronic digital fatigue. We are tired, not just physically, but spiritually.
When we talk about "Raising Giants," we aren't just talking about raising strong leaders; we are talking about raising children who have the internal fortitude to say "No" to the world so they can say "Yes" to God. And perhaps the most radical "No" we can teach our children is the practice of Sabbath.
Sabbath is more than a day off; it is a declaration of independence from the kingdom of productivity. It is a spiritual discipline that reminds us that the world continues to spin even when we aren't the ones pushing it. For our children, who are being conditioned to believe their worth is tied to their performance, their likes, and their constant availability, the Sabbath is the ultimate antidote.
The Heart of the Sabbath Command
To understand why we need to unplug, we have to understand the theology of rest. In the Hebrew, the word Shabbat literally means "to cease" or "to stop." It isn't a suggestion; it’s a command rooted in the very fabric of creation.
When God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, they were a people who had just spent 400 years in slavery. In Egypt, their value was tied entirely to their output, the number of bricks they could produce. They were machines in a pagan system. God’s first order of business in the desert was to tell them, "You are not slaves anymore. You are My people. And because you are Mine, you have the right to rest."
For modern parents, we must ask: Are we inadvertently raising our children in a digital Egypt? Are we allowing the "Algorithm" to become the new taskmaster, demanding their attention 24/7?
Understanding Digital Fatigue
The statistics are sobering. By the mid-2020s, the average teen's daily entertainment screen time has climbed to nearly eight hours. But the problem isn't just the time spent; it’s the kind of engagement.
"Digital Fatigue" is a state of mental and emotional exhaustion caused by the constant bombardment of information and the "always-on" nature of social media. Research consistently links heavy social media use with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and poor body image in adolescents. This is because the digital world demands constant performance.
When your child is on their phone, they are "working." They are managing their reputation, responding to social cues, and processing a high volume of visual data. Their brains are in high-gear. If they never have a period where they completely unplug, they never truly rest. They are perpetually in "brick-making" mode.
Why Rest is an Act of Trust
The hardest part of taking a Sabbath is the fear of what we might miss. For a teen, it’s FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). For a parent, it’s the fear of falling behind on emails or household chores.
But biblically, rest is an act of trust. When we stop, we are saying, "Lord, I trust that You are the provider. I trust that my children's future is in Your hands, not in their extra two hours of study or their social standing."
In the Assemblies of God tradition, we emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives. The Spirit works best in the quiet. Elijah didn't find God in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire; he found Him in the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). If our homes are filled with the digital roar of the world every single day, how will our children ever learn to hear that voice?
The Four Pillars of Sabbath
To make the Sabbath meaningful for your family, consider these four pillars:
STOP: This is the physical act of putting down the tools of our trade. For kids, this means closing the laptop and putting the phone in the "charging station" in the kitchen.
REST: This is the physical and emotional renewal. It’s a long nap, a slow walk, or a quiet afternoon of reading. It’s allowing the nervous system to reset.
DELIGHT: This is the "gift" aspect of Sabbath. What brings your family joy? Is it a special meal? A board game? A trip to the park? Sabbath should be the most anticipated day of the week because it’s the most fun.
WORSHIP: We stop our work so we can focus on His. Sabbath points us back to our Creator. It’s about corporate worship with our church family and private worship in our home.
Practical Application: The 24-Hour Family Digital Sabbath
If you want to raise giants, you have to lead the way. You cannot expect your children to unplug if you are still checking your work email at the dinner table. Here is a practical plan to implement a "Digital Sabbath" in your home.
1. The Preparation (The Day Before)
In Jewish tradition, Friday is the "Day of Preparation." To rest well, you have to plan.
Finish the work: Encourage your kids to get their homework done by Friday night.
Communicate: Let friends and extended family know, "We’re going offline for 24 hours. If there’s an emergency, call the house phone (or a designated 'emergency only' line)."
Meal Prep: Have a special meal ready so Mom or Dad isn't spending the whole Sabbath in the kitchen.
2. The Launch (The Window)
Most families find that a Friday evening to Saturday evening or a Sunday morning to Monday morning rhythm works best.
The Ritual: Start with a "Switching Off" ceremony. Light a candle, read a verse (like Matthew 11:28–30), and have everyone put their devices in a basket together.
The Prayer: Pray a blessing over your children, thanking God for the gift of rest.
3. The Delight (The Activities)
What do you do when you aren't scrolling?
Get Outside: There is something spiritually restorative about being in nature. A simple walk in the woods or a game of tag in the yard can do wonders for a child's soul.
Shared Reading: Read a Christian allegory or a missionary biography aloud.
Board Games: Reconnect through play. There’s something about the tactile nature of a board game that brings people together.
Hospitality: Invite another family over for an unhurried lunch.
Discussion Questions for Parents
What is the biggest barrier to rest in our home right now? Is it a schedule issue, a heart issue (fear/trust), or a digital habit?
When was the last time I truly unplugged for 24 hours? What was I afraid would happen, and did it happen?
How can we make our Sabbath so "delightful" that our children actually look forward to it, rather than seeing it as a day of "no"?
Do our children see us finding our identity in our work, or in our relationship with Christ? How does our Sabbath practice communicate that to them?
Discussion Questions for the Whole Family
What is one thing you find really hard to "stop" doing on the Sabbath? Why is it so hard?
If we didn't have phones, tablets, or TV for a whole day, what is one "fun" thing you’d want to do together?
Why do you think God made a rule about resting? Do you think He needs to rest, or is the rule for us?
What is something God has done for our family this week that we can thank Him for today?
Reflection: Entering the Rest of God
The book of Hebrews tells us that there still remains a "Sabbath rest for the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9). This points to our eternal rest in Christ, but it also invites us to taste that rest here and now.
When we raise our children to value the Sabbath, we are teaching them to live in a different rhythm. We are teaching them that they are human beings, not human doings. We are teaching them that God’s grace is sufficient, and His world is secure, even when they aren't "connected."
This week, I challenge you: try it. Just one 24-hour period. Put the phones in a drawer. Turn off the notifications. Look your children in the eyes. Breathe. You might be surprised at how loud God's voice becomes when the digital noise finally stops.
About the Author
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a dedicated husband, father, and minister with a deep passion for helping families grow in their faith. With years of experience in leadership, education, and ministry, Dr. McDonald specializes in creating resources that are biblically grounded and practically applicable. His work focuses on emotional healing, spiritual growth, and cultural discernment, all through the lens of a faithful Christian worldview. Dr. McDonald is committed to serving the local church and helping everyday believers understand the deep truths of Scripture in a way that transforms their daily lives.
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