RAISING KIDS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Kids in the Digital World, Part 2
June 26, 2022

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The negative effects of technology on children:

• Physically. Increase in obesity, insomnia, depression, and eyesight issues.

• Character. An increase in behavioral problems.

• Relationships. A decrease in social skills learned through face-to-face relationships.

1. The pace of technology has surpassed our capacity to develop enough wisdom to handle it. So, there’s a sense of being overwhelmed. How do we handle the new apps that our kids are going to install on their phone next week? The truth is, we don’t even know how to handle the current technology our family is using on their phones and tablets today.

2. QUESTIONS parents should ask about technology:

A. Has this technology brought our family closer together, or pushed us apart?

B. How does this game/phone/computer/tablet benefit our family?

C. Can our children disengage easily from this device?

D. Has this device changed our children’s behavior, personality, or mood in any way?

E. Has your child lost interest in any other activities or relationships since we introduced it?

F. Does our child view usage of this device as a privilege, or a right?

G. How would our family change if we took away this device altogether?

Mark 9:33-37 - They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

So what does that look like to “welcome” the children?

1. EMBRACE their life.

Mark 9:36 - He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them…

Research shows that every kid needs five adults other than their parents who will have a positive influence in their life. Powell calls it the 5:1 Ratio.
– Sticky Faith, by Kara Powell

2. UNDERSTAND their world.

3. MODEL Jesus’s life through your life.

Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Luke 2:52 - And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Jesus grew in:

1. Wisdom: INTELLECTUAL growth.

Proverbs 18:2 - A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

2. Stature: PHYSICAL growth.

3. Favor with God: SPIRITUAL growth.

A. CHARACTER

Character is the sum total of your choices and habits.

B. VALUES

They are watching you to see what is important to you.

C. PRIORITIES

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

• We need to know the priorities BEFORE the event.

4. Favor with man: SOCIAL growth.

A. RELATIONSHIPS

Do you help your kids to select the right friends?

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Joshua 24:15 - But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”