Internet, Social Relationships, and Social Media LLC Home and Family Workshop October 19-21, 2012

Outline Internet in everyday life We need each other Friendship The time we live Benefits of Internet, Social Media Dangers of Internet, Social Media Coping with rapid change Power of the gospel Discussion

Internet in everyday life Is there technology that has so quickly become so prevalent as the Internet? Twenty years ago – some were starting to use . Today – Internet in most homes, many of us have it in our pocket. Facebook was founded in Eight years later, Facebook has 1 billion active users worldwide (Oct. 2012).

We need each other We are intended to live in communion with God and with other people. Closest and dearest human relationships are at home. Seems, now more than ever we need time for each other: intimacy, affection, caring. “We need each other, Father, an open, warm embrace, the parents’ life experience, the children’s trusting gaze. We meet with disappointments, surprises, and enjoyment, here trav’ling side by side” (SHZ420:2). Friends are also important – believing friends, young and old.

The time we live in Rapid change:  Emphasis on individualism and selfishness.  Authority & God’s Word is questioned.  God’s Word is faith and life’s highest authority: It is, “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (PS. 119:105).  The world changes, God’s Word remains.

The time we live in Entertainment:  Some experts say over 75% of internet is entertainment.  As believers we live in the midst of all this.  John’s reminder about love of the world is certainly timely today: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15,16).

Benefits of the Internet The Internet has many benefits:  Work tool  Shopping  Banking  Facebook, Skype – connection with believers all over the world  Online Services Yet, we should freely visit about the Internet’s dangers.

Dangers of the Internet Time Management:  Many virtual friendships outside of the home, key relationships within can be neglected.  Working remotely, (Are we always connected?) “With selfishness and hurry, how blinded we become. We scarcely even notice our dear ones’ needs at home. …” (SHZ 420:3).

Dangers of the Internet Internet Addiction:  Loss of control in life.  Night spent online, can we wake up the next morning for our daily calling?

Dangers of the Internet Content:  Many things which took specific effort to find, now just a click away.  Material foreign to a believer is accessible.  Material doesn’t take us closer to God but further away.  Pornography, TV shows, movies, worldly music.  YouTube (suggested hits…).  “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:7, 8).

Holy Spirit guides Decision in the 60s that we would not have television in our homes. This has proved to be a blessing for believing homes. Even society has recognized the ill effects of television. Enemy has used good technology for his evil purposes.

Dangers of the Internet Social Media:  Life and security dangers.  Online identity, not the real me.  Person present may not who they say they are.  Anything posted can be recovered, even if deleted.  Trivializes relationships between people.  It is easy to comment – thoughtlessly – without a name. Online is not the appropriate forum:  Problems among believers.  Answers in faith matters.  Divisive societal and political discussions.

Most important, our online interaction and friendships would encourage us to meet face to face. We need to know one another from the heart!

Coping with rapid change Technology rapidly changes:  As parents it seems like we learn the technology, at best, alongside our children.  We need to know where are children our virtually. It is important to visit with others:  Share our concerns.  Ask our questions.

Power of the Gospel In this area, our strength is also in the gospel. It pays to believe. Enemy is strong, but God’s power is stronger. We have a good goal and destination – Heaven! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

Discussion What blessings do you see with modern social media? Have you noticed behaviors in the use of various social media or the internet in your own life or among believers that concern you? If so, what are they? How do you or can you address those concerns? How has the use of modern social media affected your relationships, either negatively or positively, with those around you? Has social media weakened our connection to relatives and dear ones? Are we “connected” but alone?