Online Matters

Please note: This product is a digital file. You will need to download the file to your computer and print it from your printer.

Age Group

Youth

Brief Description

Online Expressions

In 1 John 4:1-16a, Christians are encouraged to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” “Testing the spirits” takes time, prayer, patience, and a willingness to follow God. How do we encourage our youth to apply this idea to the Internet? The Internet can be an incredible tool for interconnectedness, but it can also be a dangerous place for those who don’t understand the landscape. This session offers creative, challenging activities to begin a candid discussion with your youth about the difference between risky and sensible online behaviors.

Internet Ethics

The Internet can make us feel anonymous. Through blogs, instant messages, emails, and other tools, we gain a sense of empowerment that only comes when we’re not facing the people we address. This sense of anonymity makes it easy for many youth to do or say things they might not do or say in the “real world.” This session helps youth examine how the lines between right and wrong get blurred and offers frank discussions of ethical online behavior.

Virtually Yours?

Computers and the Internet—and the easy ability to transfer or edit materials—offer a haven for “borrowing” ideas or creations from someone else and calling them our own. Whether it’s information for a school paper, music downloads, software, or friends’ passwords, many computer users have “borrowed” something that wasn’t theirs to have. This session is not an indictment for all the wrongs your youth have committed with their computers, but it is a creative reality check about basic copyright laws, moral choices, and honoring the creations of others.

Too Much Net!

Without a doubt, between school, jobs, sports, and other extracurricular activities, your youth are incredibly busy. When they add hours on the Internet, managing their time becomes more difficult. Places like MySpace and other teen-oriented sites often present an irresistible lure because, well, everyone else is there, too. Suddenly, it is too easy to lose countless hours in a virtual world—and neglect real world responsibilities, relationships, and life. This session is designed to help youth look at the ways they spend their time and to achieve a healthy balance.

by David Adams

What Is a QuickPak?

Youth QuickPaks offer busy youth leaders a terrific approach to leading Bible study. The sessions are unique in their strong use of media-connections for teaching. Sessions point teachers to songs, movie clips, TV shows, or other media that help grab the attention of students and get your discussion rolling.

User License

The purchaser of this file has permission to print one copy of this QuickPak. Neither the file nor the printed contents may be sold, copied or transferred to another person or church. The purchaser may make a backup copy of the file.