Check out the video below of the message I preached at Hickory Grove Baptist Church during our "Call Weekend" experience a few weeks ago. And feel free to leave comments, I love feedback!
So, chances are you've seen this meme floating around somewhere on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. So, I can't take credit for any originality here, but it's too good not to share on a youth ministry blog! There's a growing need to educate young people on the dangers of posting their entire lives online. One way or another, what they post is seen by a greater audience than they know, and even though they may choose to go back and erase a picture, text, etc., there is no guarantee that it won't live on digitally somewhere else online. On top of that, the way that we socially interact with each other is changing in a dramatic way, and we live in a world of text-without-context. This can be damaging to relational connections in ways we are probably only beginning to understand. So, here's a great acronym for young people - and ALL of us - to filter what we put out online, both to protect ourselves and to avoid damaging our relationships with each other. Before you post, T.H.I.N.K. Is it TRUE? Are my words honest? Is it HELPFUL? Is what I'm saying going to be helpful or hurtful to others? Is it INSPIRING? Am I using this particular forum to speak positively and in a way that encourages others? Is it NECESSARY? Do I really need to say/post this? Is it KIND? Am I showing love to others even through these few words/pics/videos/etc.? Good words - and a great thought process for choosing what we post (and what we DON'T post!). What about you? Any other advice for young people when it comes to what they post? (This image is an ultrasound picture of my son Grayson, who is three years old now... time flies!) There are some topics that are really difficult to bring up in youth ministry... but that doesn't mean you should avoid them! One of these difficult discussions is abortion. It's a politically "hot" topic, and often you'll find that your students are divided on their opinions and beliefs regarding "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice". This week's biggest world "news" - the birth of the royal baby - has given me a great opportunity to visit the topic of abortion with my group. I'm opening with the attention-getting hook of the birth of Kate and William's baby, and the incredible amount of attention they received, standing in contrast to the fact that over 100,000 babies were aborted worldwide the same day without receiving any media coverage at all. This will lead in to a discussion I've led before with students, one in which I really just want to get them talking about what God thinks about the issue, rather than any political or cultural opinions. Below is a link to my notes, and as always, I am totally fine for you to steal them and use them in your group/ministry if you find them helpful! Abortion Talk Notes |