Helping students navigate media at this time of their life is crucial, especially social media. Whether you are a youth leader, parent or both, you will want to listen in on the conversation Brian has this week with Scott Foreman. Scott is the father of four and the Executive Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Sewell, NJ. He is the author of the book Making Sense of Media.
Takeaways:
- God has very clear direction when it comes to the state of our brains and how we process information from media
- Our thinking should look very different from our world
- We need to communicate with people, engage with people, and share the love of Christ with people all while maintaining a testimony that honors the Lord
- You need to make sure that you are helping to fill your child’s heart with God’s Word and commands (Ephesians 6:4)
- The internet and social media are not going anywhere
- Two responses: 1) ignore it or 2) help your students navigate it
- It is possible to engage our culture in a way that honors the Lord
- We are not commanded to live in a hole somewhere – Jesus was engaged in His community
- We need to engage people in a way that honors Christ and does not compromise our beliefs
- Media and Integrity
- There is a constant draw to present yourself in a way that makes yourself look and sound good
- We try to imitate the culture and be something that we’re not
- We are to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2)
- When you are a teenager, your body, your worldview and your philosophy on friendship is developing. We have to be the molders of how teens develop: do not leave that up to the culture
- Purity
- Having desires is not bad – it becomes bad when it is not done God’s way
- God says there should not even be a hint of impurity in your life (Ephesians 5)
- Purity is choosing to think on the things that honor the Lord and refusing to be a part of anything sexual in thought, word, or conduct outside of marriage between a husband and wife
- We have to help our teens understand that it’s not just enough to turn things off or run away – we have to be replacing those thoughts and temptations with God’s Word
- Do not be caught off guard – expect that you will face temptation
- Accountability
- You can have the best game plan in place, but unless you have mature Christians keeping you accountable, it is pointless
- Galatians 6:1-3 – carry each other’s burdens
- Have them ask the right people to hold them accountable (mom, dad, pastor, youth leader: someone who has access to their life)
- Not about micromanaging – be an encouragement to them
- A time will come in your teen’s lives where you will not be there all the time – they need to have that foundation and mindset before they are on their own
- Practical ideas
- Do not ask vague questions when asking questions about purity and temptations – ask the right questions
- Ask them if they would like you to keep them accountable – provide opportunists for accountability
- Do not make it legalistic
- Have your teens think through decisions and start a framework – make a plan
- Do not leave the discipleship of your children to the end – make it a priority
Resources:
Covenant Eyes: http://home/283089.cloudwaysapps.com/bnfxndjgwh/public_html.covenanteyes.com/
Making Sense of Media – Scott Foreman: http://home/283089.cloudwaysapps.com/bnfxndjgwh/public_html.theministrydad.com/resources/