Leviticus 18:3–5 “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do:  and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.  Ye shall do my judgments and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God.  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments:  which if a man do, he shall live in them:  I am the Lord.”

In the verses above, the Lord was calling the people of Israel to live according to his statutes and ordinances and not according to the ways of the world.  These words still hold powerful truth for God’s children today, especially his young people.

Pop culture is defined as the combination of interests and activities that a group of people share.   Knowing how we should live in this world and its pop culture in the light of scripture is vitally important to our spiritual health and life.

1. What do you think are some interests and activities that are popular with teens in your circles today?  What do you think the appeal of social media is?  What is your motive for social media, God’s glory or your own?  For example, what is the purpose of your Facebook home page?
2. Do you feel that the devil could be present when teens in the church are involved with these interests and activities?  Give some examples of how the devil could or even has presented himself in your personal experiences.
3. If you feel the devil is present with a certain activity or interest, how should this be handled?  Avoid all together or continue with vigilance and caution?  How do we decide?  John 17:15–18; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 2:15–17
4. Why do you think the devil would like it when teens in the church are interested in the same activities as teens of the world?  Mark 4:9.  Note for thought: When you look at the lives, behaviors, and appearance of pop musicians and actors, is this the type of person that you want to associate yourself with?  Is this the music that you want to sing?
5. Think about how much time you spend on these things of pop culture  (E.g. texting, social media, popular music, movies).   Why do you think the devil likes it when these things consume most of our time?  How do we be good stewards of our time?  Matt. 16:25, 26; Eph. 5:15–16 Note for thought:  What if we used our Bibles the same amount of time we used our phones?
6. Many things in pop culture can be innocent or even beneficial.  What are some examples of useful things in pop culture for Christians?  However, the devil can also use these as a tool for sin.  What are some of the ways you think the devil specifically uses pop culture?  2 Cor. 2:11; James 4:11
7. What can we do to ensure that the devil is not a part of our interests and activities?   How can we help our friends with this as well?  Eph. 6:10–18; Gal. 6:1
8. How can we not just avoid the devil but better glorify God in our interests and activities?   What good habits could replace your bad habits?  Gal 5:16; Hebrews 4:12
9. Define the antithesis.  How can we be better witnesses to the world with our interests and activities?  Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:9; Matt. 5:16.