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Daily Devotionals
Week of January 19th
Sunday Devotional
Opening Question:
- When did you first get a cell phone? When was a time a smart phone served you well?
Key Takeaways:
1. Technology, like the Romans' use of lead, can have unintended negative consequences.
2. Wisdom involves applying knowledge to do what is right according to God.
3. Self-control is crucial in managing our relationship with technology.
4. Lack of self-control can lead to vulnerability and susceptibility to various threats.
5. God-given limits are beneficial, not oppressive.
Discussion Questions:
1. The sermon mentions four signs of over-exposure to screens. Which of these do you struggle with the most, and why?
- Sleep interference
- Social deprivation
- Attention fragmentation
- Addiction
2. How has technology impacted your relationships with family and friends? Share positive and negative examples.
3. The sermon suggests three ways screens can become problematic: a bad escape, a bad substitute, and a bad boss. Which of these resonates most with you, and why?
4. Proverbs 25:28 compares a person lacking self-control to a city with broken walls. How does this analogy apply to our use of technology?
5. How can we use technology to enhance our spiritual lives rather than hinder them?
Practical Applications:
1. Screen Time Audit: For one week, track your daily screen time and note how it affects your mood, productivity, and relationships.
2. Digital Sabbath: Choose one day a week to significantly reduce or eliminate screen time. Reflect on how this impacts your life.
3. Notification Detox: Turn off non-essential notifications on your devices. At the end of the week, discuss how this affected your attention and focus.
4. Face-to-Face Challenge: Replace one hour of screen time this week with face-to-face interaction (e.g., board games, coffee with a friend).
5. Spiritual Tech Use: Explore ways to use technology for spiritual growth (e.g., Bible app, online devotionals). Share your experiences with the group next week.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, help us to use technology wisely and in moderation. Give us the strength to set healthy limits and keep You as our first love. Guide us in using our devices to enhance our relationships with You and others, rather than as a substitute or escape. Amen.
- When did you first get a cell phone? When was a time a smart phone served you well?
Key Takeaways:
1. Technology, like the Romans' use of lead, can have unintended negative consequences.
2. Wisdom involves applying knowledge to do what is right according to God.
3. Self-control is crucial in managing our relationship with technology.
4. Lack of self-control can lead to vulnerability and susceptibility to various threats.
5. God-given limits are beneficial, not oppressive.
Discussion Questions:
1. The sermon mentions four signs of over-exposure to screens. Which of these do you struggle with the most, and why?
- Sleep interference
- Social deprivation
- Attention fragmentation
- Addiction
2. How has technology impacted your relationships with family and friends? Share positive and negative examples.
3. The sermon suggests three ways screens can become problematic: a bad escape, a bad substitute, and a bad boss. Which of these resonates most with you, and why?
4. Proverbs 25:28 compares a person lacking self-control to a city with broken walls. How does this analogy apply to our use of technology?
5. How can we use technology to enhance our spiritual lives rather than hinder them?
Practical Applications:
1. Screen Time Audit: For one week, track your daily screen time and note how it affects your mood, productivity, and relationships.
2. Digital Sabbath: Choose one day a week to significantly reduce or eliminate screen time. Reflect on how this impacts your life.
3. Notification Detox: Turn off non-essential notifications on your devices. At the end of the week, discuss how this affected your attention and focus.
4. Face-to-Face Challenge: Replace one hour of screen time this week with face-to-face interaction (e.g., board games, coffee with a friend).
5. Spiritual Tech Use: Explore ways to use technology for spiritual growth (e.g., Bible app, online devotionals). Share your experiences with the group next week.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, help us to use technology wisely and in moderation. Give us the strength to set healthy limits and keep You as our first love. Guide us in using our devices to enhance our relationships with You and others, rather than as a substitute or escape. Amen.
Weekday Devotional
Daily Prayer: God thank you for the gift of technology. Help me to discern how to use it wisely. God my desire is for you to be my first love. Help provide the self-control I need to not lot technology and all its distractions take your place. Amen.
Day 1: Wisdom and Self-Control
Reading: Proverbs 25:28; Galatians 5:22-23
Devotional: Today's reading reminds us of the importance of self-control in our spiritual lives. Just as a city with broken walls is vulnerable to attack, we too become susceptible to spiritual dangers when we lack self-discipline. In our modern world, technology often serves as a test of our self-control. Reflect on areas where you might need to strengthen your "walls" against digital distractions. How can you cultivate the fruit of self-control in your daily life? Ask God for wisdom to set healthy boundaries and for the strength to maintain them.
Day 1: Wisdom and Self-Control
Reading: Proverbs 25:28; Galatians 5:22-23
Devotional: Today's reading reminds us of the importance of self-control in our spiritual lives. Just as a city with broken walls is vulnerable to attack, we too become susceptible to spiritual dangers when we lack self-discipline. In our modern world, technology often serves as a test of our self-control. Reflect on areas where you might need to strengthen your "walls" against digital distractions. How can you cultivate the fruit of self-control in your daily life? Ask God for wisdom to set healthy boundaries and for the strength to maintain them.
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Day 2: Seeking True Connection
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; John 15:12-17
Devotional: In a world where digital connections are abundant, today's passages remind us of the irreplaceable value of genuine love and friendship. Technology can sometimes create a false sense of connection, leaving us feeling more isolated than ever. Consider how you can deepen your relationships with others and with God. Are there ways you can replace screen time with face-to-face interactions? Reflect on how you can show Christ's love to others in tangible ways today, fostering the kind of deep connections our souls truly crave.
Day 2: Seeking True Connection
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; John 15:12-17
Devotional: In a world where digital connections are abundant, today's passages remind us of the irreplaceable value of genuine love and friendship. Technology can sometimes create a false sense of connection, leaving us feeling more isolated than ever. Consider how you can deepen your relationships with others and with God. Are there ways you can replace screen time with face-to-face interactions? Reflect on how you can show Christ's love to others in tangible ways today, fostering the kind of deep connections our souls truly crave.
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Day 3: Guarding Your Heart and Mind
Reading: Philippians 4:6-8; Psalm 119:9-16
Devotional: Our minds are constantly bombarded with information and stimuli, especially in the digital age. Today's scriptures teach us the importance of guarding our hearts and minds. What we allow into our thoughts shapes our character and actions. Take time to evaluate your media consumption. Are you filling your mind with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable? Consider how you can intentionally focus on God's Word and positive influences. Pray for discernment in what you allow to occupy your attention.
Day 3: Guarding Your Heart and Mind
Reading: Philippians 4:6-8; Psalm 119:9-16
Devotional: Our minds are constantly bombarded with information and stimuli, especially in the digital age. Today's scriptures teach us the importance of guarding our hearts and minds. What we allow into our thoughts shapes our character and actions. Take time to evaluate your media consumption. Are you filling your mind with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable? Consider how you can intentionally focus on God's Word and positive influences. Pray for discernment in what you allow to occupy your attention.
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Day 4: Redeeming the Time
Reading: Ephesians 5:15-17; Psalm 90:12
Devotional: Time is a precious gift from God, yet it's easy to let it slip away unnoticed, especially when we're caught up in the endless scroll of digital content. Today's passages urge us to be wise in how we use our time. Reflect on how you spend your hours each day. Are there ways you can redeem time spent on screens for more eternal purposes? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer, Bible study, or serving others. Ask God to help you prioritize what truly matters in light of eternity.
Day 4: Redeeming the Time
Reading: Ephesians 5:15-17; Psalm 90:12
Devotional: Time is a precious gift from God, yet it's easy to let it slip away unnoticed, especially when we're caught up in the endless scroll of digital content. Today's passages urge us to be wise in how we use our time. Reflect on how you spend your hours each day. Are there ways you can redeem time spent on screens for more eternal purposes? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer, Bible study, or serving others. Ask God to help you prioritize what truly matters in light of eternity.
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Day 5: Finding Rest in God's Presence
Reading: Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 46:10
Devotional: In our fast-paced, always-connected world, true rest can seem elusive. Yet Jesus invites us to find rest in Him. Today's readings remind us of the peace and renewal found in God's presence. Consider how you can create space for stillness and silence in your daily routine. Perhaps start your day with a "digital fast," focusing on prayer and meditation before engaging with the world. Reflect on areas of your life where you feel burdened or anxious. How can you practice "being still" and knowing that God is in control? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you find deep, soul-level rest in Christ
Day 5: Finding Rest in God's Presence
Reading: Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 46:10
Devotional: In our fast-paced, always-connected world, true rest can seem elusive. Yet Jesus invites us to find rest in Him. Today's readings remind us of the peace and renewal found in God's presence. Consider how you can create space for stillness and silence in your daily routine. Perhaps start your day with a "digital fast," focusing on prayer and meditation before engaging with the world. Reflect on areas of your life where you feel burdened or anxious. How can you practice "being still" and knowing that God is in control? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you find deep, soul-level rest in Christ