The Price of Your Device
January 25, 2026
In the first week of The Digital Dilemma, we reveal the hidden spiritual battle behind our screens. Drawing from Jesus’ warning in John 10:10, we see how the digital world quietly steals our attention, destroys our peace, and robs us of joy -- often without us realizing it. But Jesus offers something completely different: a full, awake, abundant life. This message encourages you to take a 28-day digital fast to reclaim your focus, regain your peace, and refocus your life on God's presence.
Passage
John 10:10
The Thief ##Steals## — κλέπτω (KLEPTO)
- The Thief ##Kills## — θύω (THUO)
- The Thief ##Destroys## — ἀπόλλυμι (APOLLUMI)
- Jesus Offers ##Abundant## ##Life##
Principle
You cannot receive the ##abundant## ##life## Jesus ##offers##if you are sedated by the digital life the world pushes.
Practice
Take a 28-Day ##Digital## ##Fast##
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple, or with your family or small group.
HANGOUT
- What stood out to you in this week’s sermon?
- When did you first notice that your phone or another device was influencing your habits more than you expected?
HEAR
Read John 10:1-10; Psalm 119:37; Psalm 115:4-8
- In John 10:10, Jesus describes the enemy’s strategy as steal, kill, and destroy. Where do you see each of these in the modern digital world?
- How do the Psalms depict the link between what we “gaze upon” and who we become?
- The sermon argued that our devices often “steal our attention” before anything else. Where do you notice this most in yourdaily life?
HUDDLE
- What one area of your digital life feels most “stolen”—time, peace, presence, focus, joy?
- This week’s practice is to make your smartphone dumb. What specific apps or notifications are you removing orrelocating?
- Does all of this seem like too much? Consider scaling your fast by choosing one of the following tiers:
- Tier 1 (Starter): Delete/move 1-2 scroll apps + no phone at mealtime.
- Tier 2 (Standard): Remove all scrolling apps + no meals _ no bedroom + first/last hour phone-free.
- Tier 3(Deep): above + entertainment fast (streaming/gaming) + weekly screen Sabbath.
- Who do you need to tell or invite into this practice (family, spouse, kids)?
- Ask Jesus to restore attention, presence, and peace—and to help each person see the Good Shepherd more clearly this week.
Daily Reading
As you read each passage, look for connections to this week’s sermon and small group discussion. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your teacher as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- Day 1: John 10:1-18
- Day 2: Psalm 115:1-11
- Day 3: Psalm 119:33-40
- Day 4: Romans 12:1-2
- Day 5: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
- Day 6: Philippians 4:4-9
- Day 7: Mark 1:35-39
Passage to Memorize: John 10:10
Think Deeper
- What has your device been stealing from you -- time, joy, attention, intimacy, prayer?
- Which of the thief’s tactics -- steal, kill, or destroy -- impacts you the most today?
- What are you hoping Jesus might restore during a 28-day digital fast?
Suggested Resources
The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt
Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age, by Felicia Wu Song
The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.