Teenagers are more connected today than at any point in human history. We find ourselves in an interesting spot. How can we lead students to spiritually grow in a world where their digital devices are becoming the idols that they need to survive?

A student a few months ago attended an event I was running. He lost his phone and swore that someone stole it. He was insistent that the phone was stolen. So we pulled all the bags off the bus and searched each one. We never found the phone in the bags or on any student.

On the bus ride home, he kept yelling out things like, “I will kill the person who has my phone”, or “if anyone returns my phone I will give them $150.” He later found his phone in the exact place where he left it.

Tim Keller tweeted:

“The most painful times in our lives are times in which our idols are being threatened or removed.”

This statement is true for students who live in a digital world. If their idols are being threatened or removed, they will freak out.

With that said, 90% of students are on social networks. 78% have a smart phone.  How are we going to help students disconnect? We will have to find a way.

How are you helping students disconnect in your youth ministry?

Kolby Milton is a youth worker in British Columbia, Canada. He has his Masters in Christian Studies from Acts Seminary. He has been working with teenagers for over 10 years. He has been married for 10 years to an amazing woman (Lori) and has a four year old boy, a 2 year old girl, and a 10 month old little girl. He loves anything technological, and graphic design…Yes, he is a tech geek.  He is the  contributor over at www.youthministrymedia.ca