The Digital Christian - What are our responsibilities as Christians online?
In a new era of technology and communication, what would the Lord require of us when we use our cell phones, laptops, tablets to talk, email, chat, text, purchase and play apps, participate in social media, etc.?
Keys for teachers:
- Introduce and have students take notes on vocabulary used
- Use the video and handouts, along with small group and large group discussion
- Encourage parents to read and use the parent tip sheet we will email to them
Five Unit Outline using Common Sense Media and integrating faith:
Introduction to all of 6-8: Review bullying from last year and transition into online behavior.
1. Cyberbullying: Students learn to distinguish good-natured teasing from cyberbullying.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
2. Safe online talk: While acknowledging the benefits of online talk and messaging, students learn how to handle situations or online behavior which may make them feel uncomfortable.
Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
3. Which me should I be? Students learn that presenting themselves in different ways online carries both benefits and risks. (bridge conversation into appropriate photos; guys will look into inappropriate sexual web surfing, sexting in 7th and 8th grade)
Ephesians 5:8 - "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!" (NLT)
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)
1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (NIV)
4. A Creator’s Rights: Students are introduced to copyright, fair use, and the rights they have as creators.
Romans 13:7 ESV – “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
5. Trillion Dollar Footprint: Students learn that they have a digital footprint and that this information can be searched, copied and passed on, but that they can take some control based on what they post online.
Matthew 10:16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”
More core verses for faith integration:
Romans 13:13 - "Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy." (NLT)
Romans 12: 2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)
1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (NIV)
Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (What better way to reach more people than ever before!”)
Here are some principles that I aspire to live by while interacting online, especially in this blog:
From
https://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2010/07/what-if-god-read-your-posts-christian-conduct-on-the-internet/
1.Never say anything to someone online that you would not say in face to face. (2 Cor. 10:10-11)
2. Don’t take things too personally, but realize that some of the things we may need to hear. (Prov. 27:6)
3. Don’t respond immediately. Give yourself some time. Rash reactions are like drops of blood. Once the shark smells it, he will attack for the kill. (Prov. 12:18)
4. Interact with great humility. Go out of your way to recognize the right things that are said before you respond to the attacks. (Prov. 15:1)
5. Recognize that while you are separated from the other person by cyber-space, there is no space that can separate you from God. (Ps. 139:7-9; Matt. 12:36)
6. Remember that virtual interactions have real people on the other end. These people are created in God’s image. Whether believers or not, they are like God. Who are we to curse someone created in the image of God? (James 3:8-9)
7. Shower your response with biblical truth, but don’t shove the Bible down people’s throats. This can come across and arrogant and sloppy. Be tactful and sensitive to the context of the situation. Often, people do not avoid the Bible, they just avoid you with a Bible in your hands. (Eph. 4:29)
8. Don’t be a people pleaser. You will never satisfy everyone all the time. Speak what needs to be said without fear of reprisal from some particular group that you are trying to please. This is particularly hard for me. Sometimes when I write, I write to the donors of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Sometimes I shape it for the legacy of Dallas Theological Seminary. Sometimes there are particular people (other bloggers) that I am fond of that I don’t want to hurt or disappoint. There is a fine line between being sensitive to an audience and compromise to an agenda. (Gal. 1:10)
9. If you are going to take people to task, rarely do this in a public forum. Contact them personally and try to resolve the situation. Don’t use people as a public punching bag. (Matt. 18:15)
10. Don’t take things too personally. Understand that many people are insecure and will interact with violent resolve to shield their insecurity. (Prov. 16:18)
