Teenagers and Social Media
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 9 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Introduction:
Attention:
Social media regrets
Leah & Alexis Skype story
The point: Social media creates a lot of problems
Especially true for Christians
We’re gonna talk about it
Need:
Social media is a part of our world.
Pew Research Center: “97% of teenagers use at least one major online platform like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.”
Most use it
Need to understand the problems
Need to understand how Jesus changes outlook
Need to know how to glorify God in ALL aspects of life (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Body:
The Big Idea: Social media is a problem from a Christian point of view.
The Big Question: What are some of the main problems with social media?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
Every human longs for value
Social media was created with this longing in mind
Cyber-engagement: Likes, follows, retweets, etc.
We begin to treat these things as if they give us true value
But do they?
Chamath Palihapitia
Former Facebook executive
Co-owner of Golden State Warriors
Spoke to Stanford’s graduate school business .
“The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works.”
Engagement produces dopamine
Dopamine: the “feel good” neurotransmitter/hormone
Drugs
Social media was designed to be like a drug
Focus in on the idea of value
“We curate our lives around this perceived sense of perfection because we get rewarded in the short term — signals, hearts, likes, thumbs-up — and we conflate that with value and we conflate it with truth. And instead what it really is, is fake brittle popularity. And that leaves you even more vacant and empty before you did it.”
What to do?
“My solution is: I just don’t use these tools anymore. I haven’t for years.”
Obviously a problem for Christians
Where does value actually come from?
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Ask: What does this verse say about the value of a person?
God gave us value by making us in His image
Every person
Is innate
Our value comes from God
Don’t need to look elsewhere
But there’s more for the Christian
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Ask: What does this verse say about the value of a person?
Beyond image: children
Not just called children; we actually ARE children
It is a REALITY
Every human longs for value
Social media was designed with this longing in mind
But its never enough
True value is found in Christ
So as Christians, careful
The Big Question: What are some of the main problems with social media?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
It isolates us
How does it do this?
Online interactions = genuine interactions
Online friendships = real, vibrant friendships
Why is this a problem?
Nothing compares to in-person interactions and in-person friendships
God created us for real-life relationships
Every person longs for this
Social media was created with this in mind
But the relationships are superficial online, not like the “Body of Christ”
“The body of Christ” describes a tight knit, diverse community
This can’t happen through screens
Couple of verses
Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Ask: What does this verse say about the importance of in-person interactions?
Importance of going to church/youth group
Live stream isn’t the same (this is why we don’t do youth group online)
By same logic, “meeting together” on social media isn’t the same
Acts 2:42 (ESV)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Ask: What does this verse say about the importance of in-person interactions?
“Breaking bread” doesn’t really happen through screens
Being together, eating a meal = big deal
The problem: we think we are having genuine interactions with people but we really aren’t.
E.g. Lock down and depression
The Big Question: What are some of the main problems with social media?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
It isolates us
It causes us to crave attention
Back to dopamine-driven feedback loops
Everybody wants to be seen
Designed with this in mind
Being “scene” and “known” on social media
Comparison trap
The problem: attention online is never enough
You’ll always want more like, follows, etc.
Through Christ, we are completely seen and known.
Psalm 34:15 (ESV)
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
Ask: What is this verse saying?
God sees us
Don’t need attention from anywhere else
Should be more focused on God and others
Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Ask: How does this relate to social media?
Doesn’t mean to neglect own needs
But don’t only be thinking about yourself and how you can get others to notice you
Think of others
The Big Question: What are some of the main problems with social media?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
It isolates us
It causes us to crave attention
It pushes us to be inauthentic
How?
We all wear masks
Social media = easier than ever
Presenting ourselves a certain way (filters, Photoshop, etc)
Not wanting people to see the real us
Trying to make it seem like we have everything together
But the truth: nobody does
God sees us as we really are
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Controlling outward appearance on social media
But we can’t hide from God
Good, bc we don’t have to worry about outward appearances all of the time
Social media induces anxiety
But remembering that God looks at the heart can give us comfort (and conviction)
Another verse
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Speaking the truth to your neighbor on social media is difficult
But its important
Colossians 3:9 (ESV)
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
Lying = a big deal
We lie on social media all of the time = big deal
Last verse:
Luke 8:17 (ESV)
17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
God always brings the truth out
Why delay the inevitable?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
It isolates us
It causes us to crave attention
It pushes us to be inauthentic
It encourages us to be argumentative and divisive
How?
Sharing our opinions and arguing about them
Someone posts something we don’t like, we try to engage in war with them
Not the best place for civic discourse
Can stand for Jesus online
But don’t try to get into an argument about every topic possible
Some conversations are just better had in person
Difficult to tell tone online, etc.
Ex. Politics and our witness
We shouldn’t be known as argumentative and divisive people
John 13:35 (ESV)
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Known for our love for each other
We should be known more for what we are for than what we are against (Lifeway)
Doesn’t mean we don’t stand for truth;
We just do it with wisdom and strive to have deeper conversations in person rather than online
The Big Question: What are some of the main problems with social media?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
It isolates us
It causes us to crave attention
It pushes us to be inauthentic
It encourages us to be argumentative and divisive
It is really addictive
Already addressed (dopamine)
Pew Research Center: “97% of teenagers use at least one major online platform like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.”
Q. How much screen time do you think the average teenager has?
Average teen spend 7 hours and 22 mins each day in front of screens (43%)
Breakdown:
Social media is third place
But all of this is relevant
Talking about social media = talking about phones/technology in general
The point: addictive (and part of Gen Z culture)
Easy for addictive things to become idols
Exodus 20:3 (ESV)
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
The 10 commandments
Idols made of wood
Idol = anything that takes the place that only God should take
Social media was basically designed to be an idol
Reaffirmed in NT
1 John 5:21 (ESV)
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Important to flee from idolatry
But where does all of this lead us?
The Bottom Line: Everything that draws us to social media is satisfied in Jesus.
It is at the Gospel where our needs are fully met.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
We’ve been separated from God, and now there’s a void that every human tries to fill in some way
Social media was designed with the intent of trying to fill this void that every person us
But they only thing that can restore us is Jesus
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sinless life, died on the cross, rose again
Having a “moment”
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
The God sized hole is filled once and for all
But we must return to these truths daily in order to experience the true freedom that Christ wants for us.
Through the Gospel, we are seen, known, and loved.
Jesus changes everything.
Now, we don’t need anything else
But let’s get practical
Has social media been affecting you this way?
Does it actually make your life better?
What can you do?
Some Practical Suggestions
Take a break
A social media “fast”
A week? A month?
Some Practical Suggestions
Take a break
Think before you post, like, or follow
Have a filter
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Ask: “Am I representing Jesus well?”
Some Practical Suggestions
Take a break
Think before you post, like, or follow
Keep Jesus first
Find your identity in Him
Prioritize daily time with Him
Social media is tricky
Jesus changes the way we see things
He helps us navigate through the messiness of it
Cling to him in all aspects of your life.
PRAY
Lesson Overview:
The Big Idea: Social media is a problem from a Christian point of view.
The Big Question: What are some of the main problems with social media?
It causes us to equate value with cyber-engagement
It isolates us
It causes us to crave attention
It pushes us to be inauthentic
It encourages us to be argumentative and divisive
It is really addictive
Some Practical Suggestions
Take a break
Think before you post, like, or follow
Keep Jesus first
Small Group Questions:
How many of you are on social media platforms? Which ones do you use?
What are some things that you like about social media?
What are some things that you don’t like?
Out of the six problems that Michael listed, which one stuck out to you the most? Why?
What do you think it looks like for a teenage Christian to represent Jesus well online?
How are you SPECIFICALLY going to apply tonight’s message to your life?