Welcome to this week’s online lesson for the Port Ann Wesleyan youth group. Check out previous lessons here.
We’ll kick off with the new release song from Casting Crowns, “The Power of the Cross”:
This week, we want to review some specific verses from the Bible before getting into a video that ties them all together. Consider the message they all convey together, and what warnings they may provide for certain things we use or do on a daily basis.
First, Romans 8:5 (NIV):
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The message here focuses on temptations and lust and that we should do what we can to avoid circumstances that draw us closer to these potential negative influences.
Next, Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV):
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
We should be mindful of the time we spend on various things in our lives, and those things that become distractions away from God should be limited.
Next, Exodus 20:3 & 5 (NIV):
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” and “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”
And also Colossians 3:5 (NKJV):
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
These two set of verses, the first from the Old Testament and the second from the New Testament, both offer warnings against idolatry. In the second verse near the end, it references “covetousness” as a form of idolatry. This word suggests that our desires to have what others have or to be what others are or to hold another to an unhealthy pedestal we wish to achieve is a form of idolatry that ranks up with some of the more “standard” definitions. In the NIV version, the word “greed” is used in place of “covetousness.”
The final verse for today is John 3:30 (NIV):
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
In this case, John is talking about God and that we should live our lives where God becomes more of what we portray vs. ourselves.
All of this gives us some of the biblical addresses mentioned by Allen Parr in his newest video outlining why he personally is getting off of Instagram. Watch the video, and hopefully it sparks discussion with the group, with your family, with your friends.
This lesson isn’t to suggest that our youth members should ban Instagram or other social media sources from their routines, but it should help us better assess our use of these platforms and the dangers they can pose. Are we using them to edify God or to be drawn more to society? What messaging are you getting from your time on these sort of sites? How much time do you spend on them vs. time in the Bible and praying?
Please share your comments with us at zaktansky@gmail.com
