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Don't Believe the "Short Attention Span" Myth

by Brandon Hilgemann

I hear it all the time.

“Keep your message short” – “Teenagers only have a 15-minute attention span” – “Attention spans are shorter than they used to be”
 
Have you ever heard similar advice?
 
I’m going to go ahead and call bull. I’m not saying that getting the attention of an ADHD junior high kid isn’t difficult. But I have made a few observations over the years.
Teenagers will sit easily for at least an hour to watch their favorite TV show. They will listen intently to a stand up comedian for an hour. They will sit for 2 or 3 hours to watch a new movie. They have even been known to play the same video game for 3 hours or more on end.
 
I don’t buy the short attention span myth.
 
Think about it. TV show are actually getting longer! Most prime-time shows are now an hour long. Big season premieres and finales may even run up to two hours.
Here is the point: We don’t have to preach shorter; we have to preach better. The bar has been raised. Their standards are high, because they are surrounded by high quality entertainment 24/7. They can spot boring quick. We have to be more engaging.
 
Tell stories (Jesus did). Use humor. Ask questions. Draw them in.
Don’t sell out. Don’t think you have to just play a lot of games and sneak in a quick surface-level message before they notice.
The short attention span myth is a cop-out for putting in the hard work to creating messages that resonate with students and create a lasting impression.
Now, don’t go overboard. They don’t need to hear you ramble for over an hour on the sacrificial system of the old covenant. But don’t sell yourself short. There is power in the preaching of God’s Word.
 
Engage your students. Get excited about the message. Make the Bible come alive for them. Keep working. Keep improving. Don’t give up!
Put in the work and you just might be surprised how long they will listen.