Disconnect to Reconnect
Further Resources
We’ve put together some recommended reading that you may find helpful during Lent as we disconnect from distractions to reconnect with God.
For more information about Disconnect to Reconnect head to vineyard53.org/lent.
The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most
Dr Darren Whitehead
Our Lent Digital Fast is based on this book. Dr Whitehead explores the importance of getting rid of digital distractions in order to more fully follow Jesus, and offers simple tips for preparing for the ‘detox’ from tech, as well as explaining how to build a ‘rule of life’ once the fast is over.
The Tech Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place
Andy Crouch
Written by Andy Crouch, this is a practical look at how his family didn’t get rid of tech but decided to be ‘tech-wise’ in how they engaged with it. Each chapter is based around a ‘commitment’ (eg ‘our devices go to bed before we do’) and ends with an honest account of what’s worked and what’s been a struggle.
My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices
Amy and Andy Crouch
Written by Andy’s 19 year old daughter Amy as a follow up to his book. Amy gives a wonderful account of her teenage years growing up navigating a world of screens, smartphones and social media. She offers practical advice for teens to help make good choices and is honest about the good and bad sides of technology relating to school, relationships and identity. Great resource for teens!
Digital Minimalism : Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
Cal Newport
Newport, a professor of computer science, gives a helpful guide through a 30-day ‘digital-detox’ with a view to then use technology in ways that align with our deepest values. He presents scientific data in a very readable way, and emphasises the need for connecting with the our physical world alongside engaging with tech in a purposeful way.
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction
Justin Whitmel Earley
Justin describes 8 ‘habits’ to help us draw closer to Jesus in the midst of modern life, and to form us in the love of God and each other. Several habits address the role of tech in our lives, such as ‘Scripture before phone’ and ‘1 hour with phone off daily’. Extra resources included for group study making it ideal to go through in smallgroup!
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Jonathan Haidt
Haidt is a social psychologist and describes how the effects of social media algorithms and excessive screen time is leading to increased levels of anxiety and addiction to online content, especially amongst children.
If you’ve decided to keep access to podcasts during Lent, we also recommend this podcast: The Case for Digital Asceticism with John Mark Comer.