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LESSON 4

SOCIAL MEDIA: NOT AT VARIANCE WITH FAITH

Devotional Reading: Prov. 2:1-15
Topic For Adults: Positive Changes
Topic For Youths: Tread Cautiously
Topic For Intermediates: Make A Difference
Lesson Scriptures: Ps. 19:7-11; Prov. 1:1-7; Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 14:25-26

Memory Verse

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:3-4) NKJV.

BACKGROUND

Our mission on earth is to preach and live the word to be able to attract others to the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Using the best way to pass across the information in an understandable manner and making the listeners to retain and use the information is also essential. Social Media is a tool that has the capacity to enhance the propagation of the timeless truth of the Gospel. It offers a new and fresh way to connect with all age categories to enhance Bible lessons in a new and innovative way.

NOTES ON THE LESSON

PART 1: SOCIAL MEDIA AVAILS US USEFUL INFORMATION - PROV. 1:1-7

The explosion of technology in today’s information age has posed a great challenge to the Church. Technology is not Devil sent.

Social media is a communication platform through the Internet which enables social relations. Social media such as Facebook, Blog and Twitter allow individuals and organisations to actively engage in communication process not only as information receivers but also as message generators. It is an online platform designed to facilitate information, sharing and exchange of views. The use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Wikis, Rich Site Summary (RSS) feeds, YouTube, etc has become necessary for the survival of any organisation. Social media platforms have helped to make the world a smaller place. Text, music, video, photos, podcasts and other multimedia communications can all be used in social media. 

Web-based and mobile technologies are also used in social media to turn communication into an interactive discourse. Facebook, Twitter, blogs and Google are just a few examples of social media platforms that have become an integral part of our daily communication, Social changes have always presented the Church with new opportunities to spread its contents (gospel messages) far and wide with high expectations for quality, clarity and production value. ICT has made the world a global village. You can now access life transforming information through email, YouTube, instant messages, blogging, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, video conferencing, webinar, zoom etc in the comfort of your room or office. Distance is no longer a barrier as you can have current news at your fingertips. Most importantly, the Gospel of Christ can be easily shared with others, from any part of the world, without physical contact.

PART 2: SOCIAL MEDIA CAN SPREAD AND NURTURE FAITH - PS. 19:7-11

The word of God is perfect in its accuracy and sure in its dependability. The Bible is inerrant, completely reliable, infallible and absolutely trustworthy.

The latest audio and video players that play media files include MP players, IPod, the computer and cell phone. They make mass storage of data easier. This has greatly aided the spread of the gospel since a good number of life-transforming, edifying and inspiring sermons and Christian songs can be sent to different unreached parts of the world where hard copies of the Bible and Gospel materials are prohibited for furtherance of the gospel. With the advent of smartphones, you can now download various apps such as Bible, e-books, audio and video players and even encyclopaedias. All these are great platforms to spread the gospel message globally and nurture the faith of believers all over the world.

PART 3: SOCIAL MEDIA: USE FOR EDIFICATION - 1 COR. 14:25-26; ROM. 14:19

Edification is the process of spiritual growth in a Christian who is living according to the plan of God and who is fulfilling the command to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We can develop relationship with the people we are serving with the aid of social media like Facebook and WhatsApp. Through these, members of an Assembly, a Sunday School Class, Evangelical team or house fellowship can be reached and edified. A group platform can be created where people can be taught and given any relevant information. Testimonies can be shared, feedbacks can be received, prayer requests can be posted. Those who need jobs or any other assistance can also be reached.

CONCLUSION

The purpose of the Church can be greatly enhanced by application of new ICT and social media to disseminate vital and useful information, spread and nurture faith and edify the brethren. If social media is properly handled and used in the Church, people will be connected, relationship will be built and maintained. This will eventually translate to a healthy Church with lots of love flowing among believers.

SENTENCE SERMON

Stand up, do something urgently and differently to impact the world with gospel messages using your knowledge of social media.

MORAL LESSON

FOR ADULTS: Social media is good. Use it positively.

FOR YOUTHS: Maximize the benefits and advantages of social media and carefully run from its dangers.

FOR INTERMEDIATES: Use the available spiritual materials on social media for your personal spiritual growth to make a difference.

QUESTIONS

  1. What is social media?

  2. How can it help the Church to achieve her goals?

  3. What benefits can individual members derive from the use of social media?

  4. How can we use social media for the edifications of members?