Effect of Media: Learning from the Story of Joseph All things are lawful for me but all things are not helpful (1 Corinthians 6:12)

Welcome to the Computer Presentation Please Enter Your Name(s) S T M ARY C OMPUTER C ENTER, E AST B RUNSWICK, NJ, Sunday School Computer Program© 2013 OK Effect of Media: Learning from the Story of Joseph

The Media Forms of Media: TV, Radio, Internet, Movies. How much time do you spend everyday interacting with one or more forms of the media?

Media a Constructive Tool in our Lives Educational – learn about the advancements in technology. Awareness to events around us e.g. the News. Christian movies- touches our hearts. Makes us look at Christ in a new light. Helps us to know about good people around the world. People inspired by God e.g. Mother Teresa. Internet can be a good source of knowing more about the Coptic faith and Christian educational information.

Media as a Destructive Tool in our Lives Exposure to inappropriate scenes and violence. How can we keep our mind and hearts pure? Exposure to hearing dirty language. We become used to a way of talking because our society makes it like its no big deal. When in fact it is a big deal, because we are disrespecting God as well as ourselves.

Media as a Destructive Tool in our Lives (Cont.) Waste of valuable time!!! They want you to be stuck on the sofa 24/7. Missing out on the beautiful things in life. Experiencing a Christian life by giving your time to God, your family, your friends and others who are in need of your help. Become obsessed with celebrities. We are too preoccupied with their way of living, that we forget our own lives!

The Effect of the Media and the Story of Joseph The story of Joseph begins when he was taken away from his family and away from his "comfort zone", in a strange land. Just like Joseph, we too as Christians, are living in a strange land out of our "comfort zone", which is up in heaven in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Effect of the Media and the Story of Joseph (cont.) Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt and bought as a slave by Potipher, an Egyptian who was one of the Pharaohs officials. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered and lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Now his masters wife took notice that he was handsome and wanted to sin with him.

A Christian Thought Have you ever noticed that out society and the media seems to try to sell us things and ideas that are attractive to our senses? This is always done in an unhealthy and unclean way. They make it seem so harmless but PLEASE do not be FOOLED! You do not have to give in to the pleasures of this world. Joseph did not! He refused to do such a wicked thing and sin against God (Genesis 39:9).

The Story of Joseph continues One day Joseph went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants were inside. The masters wife caught him by his cloak and wanted to make sin with him. But he left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house.

A Christian Thought The media is persistent in getting its unclean message across. You may try to refuse it multiple times but they may find you alone and make you believe no one will ever know. But PLEASE dont be FOOLED but rather run away. If necessary, literally run like Joseph did to keep his righteousness. Run by: Getting up and away if something you see in the movies, on TV, etc is not appropriate. Leaving a gathering that you know Jesus would not be there. Changing the station on the radio because the words may lead you to inappropriate thoughts. That decision cost Joseph a lot: his job and his freedom. But he was brave enough to handle it. Are you?

The Story of Joseph continues So Joseph was sent to live in prison, after being so successful and even though he did nothing wrong. It seems unfair, right? No, the Lord was always with Joseph even in the prison. In his lowest point, in his most troubled time, God had allowed him to acquire a talent of interpreting dreams.

A Christian Thought We wont be popular for not going with the flow of the media. But God will always be with us and give us the strength to conquer anything and reward us! We will live in peace with God and enjoy the blessings He has given us.

The Story of Joseph continues Joseph was able to interpret the dreams that distressed Pharaoh. When all of Pharaoh s dreams came true and Egypt was able to prosper because of Josephs wisdom, he was able to see Gods work through Joseph. Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God? So Pharaoh said to Joseph I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41)

A Christian Thought Let the media see you as the image of Christ. Life may have seemed unfair to Joseph and sometimes we feel life is unfair to us. But remember Joseph, who was faithful in little things and was in return given much. So you also must be faithful in little things so that God can prepare you for GREATER things.

How do we avoid the destructive impact of the media? Fill your free time with God and His word by praying and reading the bible. Watch how much time you are spending with God and how much time you are spending in front of the TV or on the Internet. You want God to be a priority! We have to realize that our time here on earth is temporary and that our #1 goal is to be with our Loving Lord, Jesus Christ.

How do we avoid the destructive impact of the media? Guard your senses of what they receive and protect your heart, soul and mind. Remember, whatever you put in… must come out! So dont think these images/ words/ ideas are harmless. They can and WILL be damaging in the long run. Remember how Joseph was faithful in the little things. Let us use him as an example to keep us strong so that God prepares us for greater things.

Conclusions and Applications We have to realize that every minute of our lives count towards our eternal life. Father Youstos El Anthony was known for frequently asking the question What is the time? to remind himself that he is continually getting closer to the last minute in his life and reminding others around him. This will make us appreciate the value of time. Limit the time you spend in front of the TV as a practice for this week and try to make this a habit.

S T M ARY C OMPUTER C ENTER, E AST B RUNSWICK, NJ, Sunday School Computer Program© 2013Quiz

Q1- The media and the internet should be used Next

Q2-Joseph was sent to live in a dungeon because

Next Q3- God rewarded Joseph and made him

Q4-Joseph is the son of Next

Q5- What can we learn from Father Youstos El Anthonys question What is the time?? Next

S T M ARY C OMPUTER C ENTER, E AST B RUNSWICK, NJ, Sunday School Computer Program© 2013