Technology Detox Challenge

I can remember the weekend when I attempted to give up caffeinated coffee, It was a rough couple of days – for me and for anyone around me. The whole experience felt a lot like I imagine rehab might fell like. My body fought it every step, in fact, in a lot ways, getting off coffee was like going through detox – a painful and excruciating detox.  Detox is defined as a period of treatment when a person is helped to overcome physical and psychological dependence on a substance.

This week we are calling on you and me to go through a sort of detox – but not from caffeine. We are inviting you to take a week to detox from technology. In the first session of Babel, we asked you what your relationship was with technology – to be really intentional about figuring out your dependence on all the different aspects of it. Not because technology is bad, or evil, but because it is a tool. And how we use it, the priority that we choose to give it in our lives, is what determines the kind of relationship we have with technology. For a lost of us, because of how dependent we have become on it, and how unhealthy our relationship with technology can be – a detox is the best way to see what that relationship really is.

So what does detoxing from technology look like? Well, the best way to see how dependent you are on something is to step away from it for a while. So we want to do more than just have you ask yourself a question. We want to give you a real practical way to try it out – we want to give you an experience that helps you define your relationship with technology.

We are asking you to detox, or “fast”  – temporarily take a break – from the technology of your choice. The purpose of a fast is to put focused, intentional effort towards seeking God by depriving yourself of something. Whenever you desire to have what you are fasting from, the idea is to turn your attention towards God instead. I challenge you to replace the time you would have spent on Facebook, e-mail, playing Wii or texting, with participating in things that will help you lean more fully into Christ – like prayer, service, Bible reading, worshipping and journaling. You can also use those times to connect with the people around you in a way that their dependence on a certain element of technology maybe didn’t allow you to do before.

What technology are you going to detox from?  Are you ready?  I dare you to try it…

Comment below if you ACCEPT this challenge!

To start read Genesis 11:1-9.

Video BLOG by Connor Bizon and Gordan Woodall

6.15.2010 @ 6:30PM

4 HUGE EVENTS

My heart is heavy for 4 HUGE events in the life of HWY53 Student Ministry.  Each of these events have the potentail to impact students in a BIG way.  Please start praying for them!

1) High School SUMMER Camp @ BIGSTUF (June 14-18)

We are taking 25 HS Students to Panama City Beach for BIGSTUF camp.  Pray that hearts are changed.  There will be over 1,500 people attending this week at camp.

2) VBS XTREME for completed 5th-7th Grade (June 28-30)

The BRAND NEW VBS for completed 5-7th grade is going to be wild and crazy.  We will play games, eat, food, and study God’s Word.  We will also determine who is the ultimate VBS Xtreme CREW.  Prayer – Pray that the gospel is communicated in a clear way and students turn their hearts towards God.  Pray that students who are not connected to a local Church will connect to Chestnut Mtn. Church.

3) GO WEEK for 12 High School students (an intense leadership retreat) (July 21-23)

This is a 3 day intense leadership retreat for 12 HS students.  We will learn the concepts of SERVE, LOVE, and LEAD.  Pray that students see how they can become a leader in their high school and community.

4) SHIFT RETREAT for completed 5th & 6th Grade (July 30 & 31)

This retreat is all about the SHIFT in the new season of life.  Each year we want to help 5th and 6th grade students have the best transition possible to Middle School.  It is huge to spend 2 days in worship, teaching, Bible study, and chilling with friends before these students enter the crazy life of middle school.  Prayer – Pray that students register for this event.  Pray that students understand who they are in light of who God is.  Pray that the message of Jesus is clearly communicated and students choose to trust Jesus with their life for the very first time.

Parents:

If you haven’t signed your students up for one of these event… well… you better get going.  Please don’t miss this opportunity to partner with us.

REGISTER: CLICK HERE

Video BLOG Day #4 from Student Life Camp

Video BLOG Day #3

Video BLOG from Isaac Henry and Hayden Souder

Student Life Camp

Day 2 @ 11:00PM

Follow what we are doing at Camp: Student Life or Facebook

Rec Time Video BLOG

Follow what we are doing at Camp: Student Life or Facebook

Video Blog from Doug Pena

Student Life Camp

Day 2 @ 12:35PM

Follow what we are doing at Camp: Student Life or Facebook

TXT Message Updates

We want to be able to send you updates about HWY53 Student Ministry events and scriptures passages that will challenge you.  In order to start receiving these messages we need some simple information from you.  Please take sometime to fill out this form:

Click Here: hwy53.org/contact/txt/

A crisis we are called to FIX

Come help us fix the world WATER crisis.  We will be taking donations during the UPRISING event this FRIDAY.

For more info please visit: www.bloodwatermission.org