Atari was invented in 1987. Video game consoles and arcade games also helped to pioneer the “gaming industry” or movement.
This fast moving technology grabbed the attention of children. Children gradually moved from outside to inside. Instead of riding their bicycles, skateboarding, being imaginative and creative or using communication skills like making friends in the neighborhood, children came inside and were distracted.
Cable television came into my life in 1983 or early 1984 and brought with it another wave of interest which pulled children like myself further away from outside activities. The worldwide web, mobile technology and other distractions were a part of this movement.
Developing meaningful relationships and getting much needed exercise was an important part of childhood development and still is today.
The children of Israel including the northern and southern kingdoms wanted to get away from what God intended for them. They wanted a king of their own, they wanted to be like other nations, worship pagan gods and they simply became distracted with outside influences.
The thing that was interesting to me in this lesson, was that God was patient with Israel time and time again. He’s patient with us time and time again. God loves us so much that he has tolerated our disobedience for centuries.
However, God warned them then and He warns us today to pay attention and heed his warnings. Do His will and seek His righteous first and foremost. When we seek Him first, even though this world has changed and will continue to change. We need to focus on His word and not get distracted by all the changes taking place around us that can so easily pull us away.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Resource(s): Personal Bible study, the story resources and the Bible (NIV)
