15 Billion. That is the number of mobile devices in the world. In 2021, the average American spent 4.1 hours a day on a mobile device, a 30-percent increase since 2019, partly due to the pandemic. Clearly, we like our devices for all sorts of reasons: to communicate, socially engage, learn, and entertain ourselves. All we have to do is unlock them with a fingerprint, password, or blink, and then we “connect.

But…do we sometimes confuse connectivity with connection? How do we view ourselves in relation to our devices? Do we understand the impacts of our choices, our usage parameters (or lack thereof), and the transcendent implications of our daily choices and relational connectivity?

During our time together we will consider and discuss the work of two astute thinkers on relationship, technology, and Christian faith—author Andy Crouch and sociologist Felicia Su Wong. Our group will prepare for discussion by reading a chapter from Andy Crouch’s new book, The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technology World. We will also listen to a podcast episode from Device and Virtue, featuring Dr. Felicia Wu Song and ideas from her new book, Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age.

Program Capacity 

12 People  

Resources  

Attendees will read and listen to the following: 

• A provided chapter from Andy Crouch’s new book, The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technology World (Convergent Books, 2022)
• A podcast episode from Device and Virtue, featuring Dr. Felicia Wu Song on her new book, Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age (InterVarsity Press, 2021).  

Facilitator 

Daniel Johnson is the Director of Technology and Digital Promotion at Upper House. His love of technology started at an early age. He believes technology is not inherently good or evil, but if used correctly, can be a tool to help us create amazing things.