Navigating Faith in the Digital Age

 

Summary

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, we find ourselves navigating a world that is vastly different from the one Jesus spoke of. The digital transformation, driven by technological innovations, has reshaped our lives in profound ways. From the advent of personal computers to the omnipresence of smartphones and the Internet, we are living in a new era that demands a distinctly Christian approach to technology.

The challenge we face is how to live as Christians in this digital age. Technology, whether it be the printing press or the iPad, is a tool that can be used for both good and evil. It is crucial to approach technology with discernment, understanding that it is a gift from God but also subject to the curse of sin. This means that while technology can be used to glorify God and fulfill His mandate, it can also lead us away from Him if misused.

The story of Laura Ingalls Wilder serves as a poignant reminder of the pace of change. Born in the age of covered wagons, she lived to see the dawn of the space age. Similarly, the transition from the Encyclopedia Britannica to Wikipedia illustrates the shift in how we perceive authority and truth. In this digital world, we must be vigilant in discerning what is true and how we engage with information.

Screens have become a dominant force in our lives, with the average person spending more time in front of screens than sleeping. This shift has profound implications for our spiritual lives, relationships, and how we perceive the world. As Christians, we must be intentional about how we use technology, ensuring it draws us closer to God rather than away from Him.

The Bible, though written in a different era, remains relevant and authoritative in guiding us through this digital age. It has a long history of providing wisdom and direction, and it continues to do so today. We must rely on its teachings to navigate this new world, living in a way that honors and glorifies God.

Key Takeaways:

- Technological Discernment: As Christians, we must approach technology with discernment, recognizing it as a gift from God that can be used for both good and evil. Our use of technology should reflect our commitment to glorifying God and fulfilling His mandate. [04:14]

- Authority and Truth: The shift from traditional sources of authority, like the Encyclopedia Britannica, to crowd-sourced platforms like Wikipedia, challenges us to discern truth in a digital age. We must rely on Biblical principles to guide our understanding of truth and authority. [10:13]

- Impact of Screens: The prevalence of screens in our lives demands careful consideration of their impact on our spiritual and relational well-being. We must be intentional about how we engage with screens, ensuring they do not become idols that draw us away from God. [20:47]

- Biblical Relevance: Despite being written in a different era, the Bible remains relevant and authoritative in guiding us through the complexities of the digital age. Its teachings provide the wisdom we need to navigate this new world faithfully. [23:20]

- Living for God's Glory: In this digital age, we are called to live in a way that honors and glorifies God. This requires us to write the next story of our lives with intentionality, using technology as a tool to serve His purposes. [24:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Digital World
- [00:38] - Living as Christians in a New Era
- [01:22] - The Impact of Digital Transformation
- [02:10] - The Challenge of Summarizing Insights
- [02:57] - The Unprecedented Access to Information
- [03:49] - A Christian Perspective on Technology
- [04:34] - Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Story of Change
- [07:22] - Encyclopedia Britannica vs. Wikipedia
- [09:57] - Authority and Truth in the Digital Age
- [13:03] - A Theology of Technology
- [16:12] - The Role of Screens in Our Lives
- [20:29] - The Omnipresence of Screens
- [23:00] - The Bible's Relevance in the Digital Age
- [24:38] - Living for God's Glory in a Digital World

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26-28 - The Creation Mandate
2. Romans 12:2 - Transformation and Renewal of the Mind
3. 1 Corinthians 10:31 - Doing Everything for the Glory of God

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the impact of digital transformation on different generations, from those born in the 1940s to those born in the 2000s? [01:22]

2. What are the two contrasting models of authority and truth discussed in the sermon, and how do they relate to the digital age? [09:57]

3. According to the sermon, what is the average daily screen time for adults and teenagers, and what implications does this have for our spiritual lives? [18:09]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the pace of technological change using the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder? [05:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that technology can be both a gift from God and subject to the curse of sin? How does this dual nature affect our use of technology? [14:09]

2. How does the shift from traditional sources of authority, like the Encyclopedia Britannica, to crowd-sourced platforms like Wikipedia challenge our understanding of truth and authority? [10:13]

3. What does the sermon imply about the role of the Bible in guiding us through the complexities of the digital age? How can its teachings remain relevant today? [23:20]

4. How does the sermon suggest we should approach the omnipresence of screens in our lives, and what are the potential spiritual dangers of screen time? [20:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own use of technology. Are there specific ways you can use technology more intentionally to glorify God in your daily life? [04:14]

2. Consider the sources of information you rely on. How can you ensure that you are discerning truth in a digital age where authority is often crowd-sourced? [10:13]

3. Evaluate your daily screen time. Are there specific activities or habits you can change to reduce screen time and focus more on your spiritual and relational well-being? [20:47]

4. How can you incorporate Biblical teachings into your decision-making process when it comes to using new technologies? What steps can you take to ensure that your use of technology aligns with your faith? [23:20]

5. Think about a recent technological innovation you were excited about. How did you approach it, and did you consider its impact on your spiritual life? How might you approach similar situations in the future? [16:31]

6. Identify one area in your life where technology might be drawing you away from God. What practical steps can you take to address this issue and refocus on your relationship with Him? [15:36]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to use technology in a way that honors God? What role can you play in fostering a culture of technological discernment within your church or small group? [24:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Discernment in Digital Engagement
In the digital age, Christians are called to approach technology with discernment, recognizing it as a tool that can be used for both good and evil. Technology, like the printing press or the iPad, is a gift from God but is also subject to the curse of sin. This dual nature requires believers to be intentional in their use of technology, ensuring it aligns with their commitment to glorifying God and fulfilling His mandate. By doing so, technology can become a means to draw closer to God rather than a distraction that leads us away from Him. [04:14]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can use technology today to intentionally glorify God and serve others?


Day 2: Navigating Authority and Truth
The shift from traditional sources of authority, like the Encyclopedia Britannica, to crowd-sourced platforms like Wikipedia, challenges Christians to discern truth in a digital age. This transition has altered how authority and truth are perceived, making it essential for believers to rely on Biblical principles to guide their understanding. In a world where information is abundant and often conflicting, the Bible remains a steadfast source of wisdom and truth, providing the foundation needed to navigate these complexities. [10:13]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you apply Biblical principles to evaluate the truthfulness of the information you encounter online today?


Day 3: The Influence of Screens on Spiritual Life
Screens have become a dominant force in our lives, with the average person spending more time in front of screens than sleeping. This shift has profound implications for our spiritual lives, relationships, and how we perceive the world. As Christians, it is crucial to be intentional about how we engage with screens, ensuring they do not become idols that draw us away from God. By setting boundaries and prioritizing time with God and others, believers can mitigate the negative impact of screens and foster a healthier spiritual life. [20:47]

"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways." (Psalm 119:37, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to reduce screen time and focus more on your relationship with God and others?


Day 4: The Bible's Timeless Guidance
Despite being written in a different era, the Bible remains relevant and authoritative in guiding Christians through the complexities of the digital age. Its teachings provide the wisdom needed to navigate this new world faithfully, offering timeless principles that apply to modern challenges. By grounding themselves in Scripture, believers can find direction and strength to live in a way that honors and glorifies God, even amidst rapid technological change. [23:20]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a specific Bible verse into your daily routine to guide your decisions in the digital world?


Day 5: Living Intentionally for God's Glory
In this digital age, Christians are called to live in a way that honors and glorifies God. This requires intentionality in how they use technology, ensuring it serves His purposes rather than becoming a distraction. By writing the next story of their lives with purpose, believers can use technology as a tool to serve God's kingdom and make a positive impact in the world. This intentional living reflects a commitment to God's glory and a desire to fulfill His mandate in every aspect of life. [24:38]

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can use technology today to intentionally serve God's purposes and make a positive impact in your community?

Quotes


There is a distinctly Christian way to think about technology, all technology whether it was the printing press or the iPad. And the big implication then is this, is we need to think about our technologies in this distinctly Christian way. If we’re to live in this world for God’s glory, we need to think as Christians. [00:04:00]

God created the world, and He made us in His image and gave us a mandate to go into the world and to exercise dominion over it. We are to have dominion over all life, to go into the world building families and culture and civilization. This was our mandate, our charge, to rule this world for His glory. [00:13:16]

Technology is a good and God-given gift. Technology allows us to imitate God. It allows us to serve God in shaping His creation for good and noble purposes. Number two, technology is subject to the curse, and we need to keep this one in mind. Technology is subject to the curse. [00:15:03]

So our technology can be used to honor God or it can be used to compound our rebellion against Him. It can be used to draw our hearts toward God, or it can be used to draw our hearts away from God. And what’s remarkable is that it can do both these things in the same use. [00:15:24]

We as Christians need to use technology, and we need to use it well, but always we need to be wary of it. And we tend to just jump on the greatest, the newest and greatest thing. We hear about this new iPad, and we just want it so much. We have to be very, very wary of it. [00:16:25]

The average daily screen time right now for an 18 year old is about eight and a half hours a day. The average daily screen time for Mom and Dad, in case you’re feeling proud, is nine and a half hours. So screen time for those 18 and under lacks careful studies at the moment. [00:17:57]

In about 60 years, we’ve gone from an average of just over zero hours a day in front of a screen to hours and hours, eight or nine or ten or eleven or twelve hours a day in front of some kind of a screen, or really in front of a near endless succession of screens. [00:20:10]

The Bible can help us understand how to live in this strange, bizarre, new world that we find ourselves in. Again, that Bible was first passed by word of mouth. Eventually it was written. And then it was printed. And now many people are experiencing it in the digital. [00:23:42]

In fact, this Bible needs to guide us. We have no choice. We’ve got no choice. There’s no going back at this point. We won’t ever get rid of all these screens. We won’t get rid of the Internet. The Internet is really just becoming part of who we are. [00:24:17]

The question is, how are we going to live in this world in a way that honors and glorifies and serves God? How are be going to live in this world in a distinctly Christian way? We need to write this next story, and we need to write it for His glory. [00:24:36]

The way we learn is very, very important, and so if we’re learning from an old version of an encyclopedia, we’re learning from the Britannica model or we’re learning from the Wikipedia model, the way we’re learning has every bit as much importance as the information we actually draw out of those sources. [00:12:13]

What is right and what is wrong? What is factual and what is fictional? Ultimately, it’s an issue of authority. Who has the authority to say this is true and this is false? And on what basis can he make that kind of a judgment? [00:10:24]

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Transcript
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