Digital Fast at BattleCreek Church

A 28-day journey to reimagine your relationship with technology and reconnect with what matters most.

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A 28-Day Journey

What Is the Digital Fast?

The Digital Fast is a 28-day journey to rethink how we use technology and make space for what matters most. It’s not about locking away your phone, it’s about creating rhythms that help you be present, connected, and spiritually grounded as we walk through the four phases together.

Starting January 5th

How It Works

Starting January 5, our church will walk through the Digital Fast together using the workbook, weekly discussions, and the Aro app to track intentional time off our phones. The shared experience brings momentum, encouragement, and real change.

For Everyone

Who Can Participate

The Digital Fast is designed for adults, students, groups, and families. Whether you’re overwhelmed, distracted, or simply want healthier habits, this journey is for you.

How to Start

Step 1

Decide on Distractions and Remove Them

Identify anything that pulls your attention away from God, like your phone, TV, computer, streaming, or gaming, and clear it out for the duration of the fast.

Step 2

Delete All Social Media Temporarily

Delete all social media from your devices so you can remove distractions, stay present, and create space for God during the fast.

Step 3

Detach From Your Smartphone by Making It “Dumb”

Turn off non-essential apps and notifications on your smartphone so it stops pulling your focus and becomes a tool instead of a distraction.

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Before You Begin

How to Make Your Smart Phone "Dumb"

Here are a few simple steps to help you start the Digital Fast with intention. These small changes create space, reduce distraction, and help you stay focused throughout the 28 days.

1. Remove the Apps That Pull You In

Delete or temporarily remove distracting apps like social media, games, or streaming platforms. If you still need them, keep them on your laptop only, not in your pocket.

2. Turn On Grayscale Mode

Switch your phone’s display to black-and-white. It instantly makes your phone less stimulating and less addictive. Most people notice a big drop in mindless scrolling.

3. Move Everything Off Your Home Screen

Keep only essentials like Phone, Messages, and Maps on your front page. Put everything else in folders or extra pages you have to intentionally navigate to.

4. Turn Off All Non-Essential Notifications

Silence anything that isn’t a real person trying to reach you. No more pings, banners, badges, or buzzes. Just peace.

5. Charge Your Phone Outside Your Bedroom

Use an alarm clock instead. Moving your phone out of the bedroom cuts down on late-night scrolling and sets you up for healthier sleep and morning rhythms.

6. Set Daily “Phone-Free” Zones

Choose times or spaces where your phone can’t join you: meal times, morning quiet time, conversations, commute, church, bedtime. Consistency matters more than length.

7. Log Out of Distracting Accounts

Make access inconvenient. If you have to type a password every time, you’ll use those apps less often.

8. Turn Off Cellular Data for Certain Apps

Allow some apps to work only on Wi-Fi. This slows down impulsive behavior and encourages more intentional use.

9. Use a Real Book or Bible

Allow some apps to work only on Wi-Fi. This slows down impulsive behavior and encourages more intentional use.

10. Set a "Tech Sabbath" Rhythym

Pick a window each day, or a portion of each weekend, where you intentionally step away from screens altogether.
tools for the fast

Resources to Help You

Everything you need for the Digital Fast is simple and accessible. Use the workbook for daily guidance, download the Aro app to track intentional time off your phone, and use the weekly discussion guides to process the journey with others. These tools will help you stay focused and connected throughout the 28 days.
Download the Aro AppBuy the WorkbookCommunity Group Resources
We're here to help

Frequently asked questions

When does the Digital Fast start?

We begin together as a church on January 5 and finish on February 1.

Do I have to give up my phone completely?

No. This isn’t about total phone abandonment. It’s about re-imagining and resetting your tech habits. Use the workbook and Aro app to help guide that intentionally.

What is the 28-Day Fast?

The Digital Fast is a 28-day journey to rethink how we use technology and make space for what matters most. It’s not about locking away your phone, it’s about creating rhythms that help you be present, connected, and spiritually grounded as we walk through the four phases together.

Download the BattleCreek Church App

Get access to curated content from our staff to help you grow in your faith everyday of the week. From daily prayer and scripture meditation to topic studies, it will all be right here. 

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