Media and the Family

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MEDIA & THE FAMILY

MEDIA TIMELINE 1957 1971 1972 1973-5 1984 IBM PC Email Video Game Internet Cell Phone 1990 1995 1998 2004 2007 2016 WWW DVD HDTV Facebook iPhone Oculus Rift

WE CONSTRUCT WORLDS FROM MEDIA.

WE NEED TO ASK, “WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE CONSTRUCTING?”

THEISM WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

ELETISM WHAT DOES THE EXPERT SAY?

HUMANISM WHAT DO MY FEELINGS SAY?

DATAISM WHAT DOES GOOGLE SAY?

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOING WHAT WE’RE CAPABLE OF DOING & DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR HUMAN FLOURISHING.

“THE GOOD PERSON OUT OF THE GOOD TREASURE OF HIS HEART PRODUCES GOOD, AND THE EVIL PERSON OUT OF HIS EVIL TREASURE PRODUCES EVIL, FOR OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART HIS MOUTH SPEAKS.”

– LUKE 6:45

MEDIA IS AN INVITATION FOR EITHER SINFULNESS OR EDIFICATION. THE HEART DETERMINES WHICH ONE.

COMMON FEARS • Video Game Addiction • Pornography/Sexual Misconduct • Introduction to Destructive Behavior • Bullying • Laziness • Poor Social Skills • Media discipleship by educators & friends

RESPONSES TO MEDIA Unlimited Indulgence & Unfiltered Freedom

Strict Isolation Healthy, Fruitful & Discerned Engagement

YOU DON’T WANT TO BUILD PRACTICES AROUND FEARS ALONE BUT ALSO AROUND OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL. HE WILL ESTABLISH YOU AND GUARD YOU AGAINST THE EVIL ONE.

– 2 TH 3:3

WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT (FOR THE FRUIT OF LIGHT IS FOUND IN ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT AND TRUE), AND TRY TO DISCERN WHAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD.

– EPHESIANS 5:8C-10

FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE, SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING TO THE DIVISION OF SOUL AND OF SPIRIT, OF JOINTS AND OF MARROW, AND DISCERNING THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS OF THE HEART.

– HEBREWS 4:12

BEST PRACTICES Media Discernment is a Key Family Practice •Discover •Discern •Decide

. . . TOGETHER

BEST PRACTICES Some Other Helpful Tips •Prioritize relational and creative development •Redeem the mundane from media •Teach, remind, and warn your children about the affects of media •Technological transparency •Set limits or create breaks from the screen time of leisure media •Keep media in public spaces/construct media free spaces

BEST PRACTICES Apply these principles to your private lives.

A DANGER FOR PARENTS IS TO INVITE MEDIA TO DISCIPLE THEIR CHILDREN.

AND THESE WORDS THAT I COMMAND YOU TODAY SHALL BE ON YOUR HEART. YOU SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY TO YOUR CHILDREN . . .

– DEUT 6:6