Preparing for the Kirby Woods Digital Detox
July 30 - August 6
We are calling on all church members (and any others who desire to participate) to join us in a seven day media fast. There is a clear biblical precedent for fasting (most commonly from food), but after a recent sermon that Pastor Jared preached entitled “Beware the Hidden Costs” in the Hundred Year War series, we sensed that the time was right for a media fast. We may not realize how addicted we are to screens and digital entertainment until we give our bodies and minds a chance to “detox.” This is your invitation! The fast will begin on July 30 at the concluding prayer of the morning worship service. The fast will conclude on August 6 at the concluding prayer of the morning worship service.
Many of you will have questions as to what this Digital Detox includes and doesn’t include. If you are like the average American, you will (seriously) be experiencing withdrawals sometime during these seven days and you will start trying to rationalize why you need to change the rules and break the fast prematurely. Remember, research has shown that your body treats social media and your smartphones exactly like drugs. This is called a “detox” for a reason. Here are some guidelines on the front end so that you will know what to expect.
First let us share what we’re NOT asking you to fast from:
Anything that is mandatory in your life
Anything pertaining to your employment and/or work responsibilities
Anything pertaining to your education (i.e. online schooling)
Anything pertaining to your safety and security (i.e. GPS, security apps, emergency usage, health monitoring etc.)
Music (audio only), Radio, Podcasts (audio only)
Phone calls & texting, FaceTime/Skype
Electronic Books
Here’s what we ARE fasting from:
All Social Media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok etc).
Television & Movies (at home and in theaters)
The usage of smart phones, tablets, televisions, or screens of any kind for anything pertaining to entertainment (i.e. digital app-based games)
Console, PC, and Handheld Games (i.e Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo)
The goal of what we’re trying to weed out from our lives would be summed up in the following phrase: Digital Visual Entertainment. The goal is not to cut ourselves off from each other and isolate, but rather to cut off the effects of being overstimulated from media and entertainment.
For many of our middle aged and senior adults, this may be a breeze. It may remind you of how you grew up! For our young adults and youth, this will be a significant challenge requiring mental fortitude. That may sound like a joke, but we promise it’s not! There are a couple of preparations you can make as you get ready for the Digital Detox:
Some helpful tips for Digital Detox week:
Deactivate your social media accounts, and delete the apps from your phones and tablets.
Unplug your TV or anything else that would cause you temptation.
Power down any devices you don’t intend to use, and put them away.
Get accountability from someone who will check in on your every couple of days.
Expect your sleep schedule to change to “the sun schedule.” Since you won’t be watching TV or scrolling social media, you’ll likely go to bed earlier and wake up earlier.
Use the opportunity to read your Bible and pray more regularly.
Take more walks, get outside in the sunshine more than usual.
Stock up on books for the week for yourself and your kids (try the KWBC Library on or before July 30)
Plan ahead for non-digital entertainment like board games, spending time with friends, cooking a large family meal, making a craft etc… (Remember, you don’t have to sit at home and stare at the wall. It’s not anti-fun week. It’s just a detox from digital entertainment)
Plan a Sunday School class fellowship, or get together with church friends at someone’s home.
In conclusion, we’d like us to focus on why we are doing this. The point is not to inflict pain upon ourselves (asceticism) or to feel more self righteous than other people who don’t participate. The point is certainly not to draw attention to ourselves. No, the Scriptural approach to fasting seems to always be related to increasing our dependence upon God as we are reminded of our own weakness and frailty.
We are weak apart from God. Our minds and our bodies are susceptible to attacks from the enemy. This media fast is an attempt to reset our minds toward God, to help those of us whose minds have become ensnared and dominated by screen addiction. As the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” May The Lord grant us this resolve and this perspective as it pertains to screen time, media, and digital entertainment in our lives.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” - Matthew 6:16-18