Phones, Attention, and the Formation of Your Soul
A pastoral yet unflinching exploration of how life with our phones is shaping the inner world of a generation. This study doesn’t scold or idealize — it listens to the data, engages Scripture, and draws from the contemplative tradition to ask what’s happening to our attention, relationships, and souls. Teens will grapple with the real effects of phone‑saturated life — anxiety, distraction, isolation — and discover formational practices that restore presence, peace, and friendship in the way of Jesus.
What's Included
When you pull this study into your workspace, these items come with it.
- Lessons6
Teaching sessions adapted for your audience.
- Handouts6
One handout per lesson when this deliverable is included.
- Discussion Guides6
One discussion guide per lesson when this deliverable is included.
- Slides0
Presentation decks for classroom use.
What You'll Study
The Age of Distraction
Luke 10:38‑42 (Mary and Martha)
Seeing What’s Happening
Learning Objectives
Participants will recognize the scope of modern distraction and its effects on mental health and relationships. They will connect research insights to the biblical story of Mary and Martha, identifying one area where Jesus may be inviting them to choose presence over distraction.
The Fragmented Self
James 1:5‑8
How Devices Divide the Heart
Learning Objectives
Participants will understand how constant connectivity fragments attention and identity. They will reflect on James’s image of the “double‑minded” person and articulate ways to pursue wholeness of heart before God.
The Friendship Recession
John 15:12‑15
Reclaiming Real Connection
Learning Objectives
Participants will evaluate how phone‑mediated communication has reshaped friendship and connection. They will contrast shallow online interaction with Jesus’ model of abiding friendship — mutual, embodied, and life‑sharing. Each participant will identify one concrete relational practice or challenge that helps cultivate face‑to‑face connection and mutual presence in daily life.
Healing the Attention
Psalm 46:10; Matthew 6:6
Learning Presence with God
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn that spiritual attention is trained through stillness and prayer. They will practice a simple contemplative exercise and describe how quiet presence with God can begin healing distraction.
Formed for Love
Romans 12:1‑2
Re‑patterning the Inner Life
Learning Objectives
Participants will grasp that transformation involves re‑patterning thought and behavior around love. They will explore rhythms of sabbath, rest, and community that renew the mind and resist digital conformity.
Living Undivided
Colossians 3:1‑17
A Rule of Life for a Connected World
Learning Objectives
Participants will integrate the study’s insights by creating a personal “rule of life” for phone use and presence. They will commit to one sustainable practice that keeps them attentive to God and others in daily life.
Actual Lesson Preview
A real rendered lesson for Teens from this study — a preview, not the full content.
Sample Content
This study adapts to your church
When you bring this study into your workspace, it adapts to your theological convictions, your teaching context, and your audience. No other curriculum does this.
Requires a paid subscription. View plans.