We live in a world where screens are everywhere—from smartphones and tablets to laptops and TVs—and they’re not going away anytime soon. Technology has become such a central part of our lives that it often feels like it’s running the show. But what if there’s a better way to live, especially when it comes to raising kids in this screen-centric culture?
It’s easier said than done, right? But if you’re a parent, grandparent, or just someone who cares about the next generation, this shift could be the key to helping kids thrive in an anxious and distracted world. Let’s dig into what it looks like and why it’s so crucial.
The Problem with Screens
Screens aren’t just tools for entertainment or communication—they’ve become experience blockers. Think about it. How many times have you scrolled endlessly through your phone, only to realize an hour has passed? Or worse, how often have you been physically present with your kids or family, but your mind is off somewhere else because of a text, notification, or video?
Screens keep us from being truly present with each other and with God. And for kids, the impact is even more profound. Studies show that screen time—especially social media—feeds anxiety, making it harder for young people to form real connections and experience life fully.
In the end it’s experiences that make up meaningful lives, and screens block those experiences.
But the answer isn’t just to go screen-free (because, let’s be honest, that’s not realistic). Instead, let’s try a different focus: replacing our screen-centered lives with rhythms that help us stay grounded in our faith.
Shifting the Focus: Creating a God-Centric Home
The goal, isn’t to just turn off the screens; it’s about creating a God-centric home where meaningful relationships with God and others take priority. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses instructs the Israelites on how to center their homes and families around God. The key takeaway? Develop spiritual rhythms that keep God at the forefront of daily life.
So, how do we do this in our modern, tech-driven world?
Building Spiritual Rhythms
In Deuteronomy, Moses talks about repeating God’s commands again and again to children—when you’re at home, on the road, going to bed, and getting up. It’s about embedding a regular spiritual rhythm into the daily flow of life. This doesn’t mean scheduling endless Bible studies or holding church services in your living room every night. Instead, it’s about integrating faith into everyday moments in simple, consistent ways.
Maybe it’s developing a morning prayer routine while driving the kids to school. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or perfectly executed (we all know about those chaotic mornings!), but it needs to be consistent. Pray together, even if only for a few minutes. The power isn’t in the quality or length of the prayer, but in the fact that it happens regularly.
The same rhythm can be applied to family dinner times and bedtime routines, where you can make it a habit to pray and connect as a family. It’s these daily touchpoints, not grand gestures, that shape a God-centric home.
Visual Reminders
Another powerful tool for creating a God-centric home is using visual reminders. Moses talks about tying God’s commands to hands, wearing them on the forehead, and writing them on doorposts. Today, this might mean having visible markers of faith around your home. It could be a Bible left open on the kitchen table, a family spiritual value list on the wall, or simply letting your kids see you reading Scripture or praying.
Something helpful could be as simple as a “disconnection pad” for phones and tablets, a physical reminder that when it’s time to connect with family and God, the screens get put away. These small actions speak volumes to kids about what really matters.>
Replacing Distraction with Connection
At the end of the day, creating a God-centric home isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up consistently—making space for God in the middle of life’s busyness and distractions. It’s about replacing the default of mindlessly scrolling through screens with intentional moments of connection, both with each other and with God.
Screens aren’t going away, but they don’t have to run our lives. By building spiritual rhythms and reinforcing God’s presence in our homes, we can help the kids we love find something far more meaningful than what a phone screen can offer. And that’s a lesson that will last a lifetime.
So, let’s start making those small shifts today—fostering a home where God, not screens, is at the center.
Watch ‘Are The Kids Okay?‘ with Jeff Brodie. For more great parenting resources visit our family resources page.
