Discussion Outline for 2009 YP Convention

1. What’s going on in your life?
2. Are the internet and cell-phones necessities in life, or just tools? Answer this from the point of view of your life; how much are they are part of your life and how would you do without them?
3. What are some of the positive uses of the internet and cell-phone in your life?
4. How would you rate yourself as an internet user and phone texter? Are you amateur, proficient or expert? How well do you know the internet? Can you text with your eyes closed?
5. What are some of the main places you go on the internet? How often do you use these sites?
6. How much do your parents know about your use of the internet?
7. Are they aware of the sites you visit? Do they filter/monitor your internet use?
8. Are they aware of your social-networking on places like Facebook?
9. Do you think they should be? Why/why not?
10. How would you view a “very involved” Dad in this department—as nosey, or as one who cares?
11. What are some of the dangers of what’s going on?
12. What are some of the dangers of the internet?
13. Physical dangers? Is it smart to post pictures and personal information on-line?
14. Spiritual dangers? How can what you read or see on the internet be spiritually destructive? Are you able to get images out of your mind?
15. Have you been exposed to any of these dangers? What are some of your experiences?
16. What are some of the dangers with social net-working sites like Facebook?
17. How much is your self-esteem influenced by your social networking?
18. Have you heard of internet-bullying and what is it?
19. How many “new friends” have you met and made on Facebook? Who are these friends, and what is their background? How can this be harmful to you?
20. Where do you find it easier to communicate? In person or over the internet or email or your phone? How can this kind of communication be detrimental to developing good communication skills?
21. If you have a cell-phone, does it have internet or video capability? In what cases would this be useful/necessary? What might be some of the dangers? What is the porn industry doing to target iPod and cell-phone users?
22. We live in a changing world, and yet God’s Word never changes, and really the issues of life are always the same. The use of technology has much to do with our relationships. Answer these questions from your Bibles, and take these passages with you into the modern world of technology
23. The “antithesis” describes our relationship to the world.
24. What does the word “antithesis” mean?
25. What does James 1:27 say about your relationship to the world?

(1) What spots or blots are there in the world of internet and phone technology?

(2) Is it possible to use this technology without being exposed to these spots? (Think of spam email)

(3) Does exposure to sin (e.g. pornography) make us more immune to that sin (so that we lust less), or more likely to commit that sin?

1. The other side of the antithesis is consecration to God. How much do you use the Bible, in comparison to phone and internet? What does Psalm 119:9&11 teach about this?
2. There is also our relationship to each other.
3. What does 1 Timothy 4:12 say about young people?

(1) Do you need to be examples too? Who might see your example? Can we be a bad example or influence over the internet?

(2) Being an example includes admonishing one another. Have you ever, or are you ready to, admonish others about their Facebook site, their textings, etc?

(3) Can you help each other, positively, in your use of technology?

1. Read Romans 12:9-12

(1) To love “without dissimulation” means to “be real,” not to fake it. How is this important for internet communication?

(2) “be kindly affectioned”—how can phones and the internet be rude interruptions to face to face relationships?

(3) “not slothful in business”—how can these forms of technology become our masters, and time-wasters?

3. There is also our relationship to our inner self—what goes on in the mind. Read Philippians 4:8.
4. Why is what we think important? How does it influence our behavior?
5. This verse tells us that we should think—meditate. How much time do you have for this? Do you like it, or when you’re alone, are you grabbing for your phone or computer?
6. Discuss each word in Philippians 4:8 in light of the internet.
7. There is also our relationship to God.
8. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
9. Is it clear to others who come into contact with you over the internet that you are in contact with God, that you are doing “all” to the glory of God?
10. Is God glorified in the conversation, music, pictures, videos, etc. on your site?
11. Can you argue that these are just the innocent things of youth?
12. In conclusion, Read 1 Peter 2:11-12

“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).