Sabbath Seminar (1 Feb 2026)

Sabbath: Provision & invitation

Aim: Move beyond asking whether Sabbath is a law that I have to obey, to exploring the gift God has given us to reframe our thoughts of ourselves, our world, and who He is, by letting go and entering into a deepening trust and an experience of His lavish provision.

audio recording

forthcoming

Handouts

We distributed one main handout, and you can find additional material below to facilitate reflection opportunities.

Sabbath Handout Download

For convenience, here is a handout featuring some of the key verses/passages that we discussed.

Sabbath Scriptures Download

In addition to the questions on page 2 of the main handout, here are a few additional questions for reflection.

Additional Reflection Questions on Sabbath Download

Recommended Resources

For a few next reads, here are some blog posts & books/chapters that are worth consulting.

Your Thoughts?…on Rest

5 Gauges for Your Followership

Yes or No?

Under a Rest

A Necessary Gift

Bible Project video on Sabbath https://bibleproject.com/videos/sabbath-video/

NB: Some of the Christian authors listed below offer an unfortunately derogatory perspective on Jewish practice of the sabbath (both in New Testament and contemporary times)–usually in terms of it being an oppressive legal obligation. I cannot endorse such perspectives and find them unnecessary as these authors seek to promote a Christian experience of being God’s people and delighting in God’s provision of sabbath. Please read with discernment.

Sacred Rhythms (ch 8: ‘Sabbath’; https://amzn.eu/d/b0BPh0T) and Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest (https://amzn.eu/d/gGgMw4s; both by Ruth Haley Barton)

The Emotionally Healthy Leader (Peter Scazzero; ch 5) https://amzn.eu/d/5gPvwps

Keeping the Sabbath Wholly (Marva Dawn) https://amzn.eu/d/cOFzlmU

Living the Sabbath (Norman Wirzba) https://amzn.eu/d/7ebSkih

The Sabbath (Abraham Joshua Heschel) https://amzn.eu/d/6g81bnw

The Rest of God (Mark Buchanan) https://amzn.eu/d/4gdi32C

Subversive Sabbath (A.J. Swoboda) https://amzn.eu/d/937gMFF

You can explore chapter 13 (‘Rest as a Resource’) of my book Embracing Followership, as well as Study #5 from the accompanying Discussion Guide.

See also below for a related session from Allen on a theology of work and rest, delivered in 2025. Audio recording and handouts available for download.

EW Lent Course, Work Part 2 (23/3/2025)

Endorsements

“Allen Hamlin writes on followership with an elevating language that imbues this form of relationship with service, grace, and individuality. A very welcome addition to the growing literature on followership.”

― Ira Chaleff, author, The Courageous Follower

“The genius of Allen’s approach and treatment of this subject of ‘followership’ is that each of us is a follower in some way in almost every aspect of our lives. This is a thoughtful exploration and consideration of what it means to excel as a follower, which is essential for all of us to enhance … Continue reading Duane E. Okamoto, senior attorney, Microsoft

― Duane E. Okamoto, senior attorney, Microsoft

“I love Allen’s heart and the book God has grown out of who he is. He is right. We live in a ‘leader-driven culture’ where there is little focus on the spiritual integrity and dignity of ‘followership.’ Jesus called us to ‘follow Him,’ and the church is the strongest when together we follow Him and … Continue reading Dr. Hal Habecker, founder, Finishing Well Ministries

― Dr. Hal Habecker, founder, Finishing Well Ministries

“All too often we forget that strong leadership implies that people are following. This is an excellent treatment of a topic that is mostly ignored. Just about anybody can benefit from reading this book.”

― Dr. Ted Esler, president, Missio Nexus

Read more reflections about Embracing Followership on the Endorsements page.