Faith for Exiles

Screens disciple. The lighted rectangles in our pockets--smartphones and their bigger siblings, tablets and computers--have redefined so much about our lives, including spirituality and the pursuit of God. The ubiquity and power of the interconnected, digital age is affecting how we shape our souls. In other words, screens disciple. In a world where always-connected smart devices and search algorithms educate and entertain, digital Babylon is the new context for discipleship. That means we are all exiles now. This practical and thought-provoking book reveals findings from a groundbreaking three-year research study. Barna president David Kinnaman teams up with former executive director of Youth Specialties Mark Matlock to help you ● make sense of chaotic cultural changes and respond with compassion to the next generation of believers ● recognize the biblical concept of exile as an essential framework for following Christ today ● discover five research-based practices that cultivate faithfulness in digital Babylon ● prepare young Christians to be on mission with Jesus in the world ● empower Jesus followers of all ages to thrive in our current exile Just as Scripture says, we can remain confident that God has a bigger picture in mind for those in exile. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says theLord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

Screens disciple. The lighted rectangles in our pockets--smartphones and their bigger siblings, tablets and computers--have redefined so much about our lives, including spirituality and the pursuit of God. The ubiquity and power of the interconnected, digital age is affecting how we shape our souls. In other words, screens disciple. In a world where always-connected smart devices and search algorithms educate and entertain, digital Babylon is the new context for discipleship. That means we are all exiles now. This practical and thought-provoking book reveals findings from a groundbreaking three-year research study. Barna president David Kinnaman teams up with former executive director of Youth Specialties Mark Matlock to help you ● make sense of chaotic cultural changes and respond with compassion to the next generation of believers ● recognize the biblical concept of exile as an essential framework for following Christ today ● discover five research-based practices that cultivate faithfulness in digital Babylon ● prepare young Christians to be on mission with Jesus in the world ● empower Jesus followers of all ages to thrive in our current exile Just as Scripture says, we can remain confident that God has a bigger picture in mind for those in exile. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"