“They’re drunk!”
…overheard on the day of Pentecost, according to Acts Chapter 2.
I overheard a mom say she didn’t like the idea of her son using software in Sunday School because “he’s already too connected to media.“
I wanted to scream: “Why don’t you un-connect him from the violent games YOU allow him to play and connect him to biblical games!”
I wanted to ask, “How can you buy him his own computer, smartphone, and Xbox, and then complain how over-connected he is?”
[I pray for the day when we hear parents complain, “my kids already know the Bible stories, and that’s why I don’t bring them to Sunday School.” But I digress….]
This is the same parent who, in ten years, will complain that her grown son isn’t interested in coming to church and never liked Sunday School. She will believe the church failed her, -that Sunday School didn’t work. (Same parents who complain about their kids being “too busy”, -as they sign them up for travel sports and camps and squads and lessons and ….)
WRONG QUESTION:
“Are Kids TOO connected to media?”
RIGHT QUESTION:
“What are we allowing them to connect to?”
God has hard-wired our brains to love visual and interactive media. That’s why our kids love internet games, and youtube, and movies, and television, and Xbox. It’s not their “fault”. Heck, that’s why ADULTS love new media too! We are built to love it.
God has also hard-wired our brains to want to feel “connected”. This is why Facebook is exploding, and kids want to text, and share, and be on the phone. This is why people join churches… they want community. They want people to care about, and they hope people will “follow” their life, …even if it’s a stupid txt saying where you’re eating, or what movie they are going to.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave the Disciples the gift of speaking in the language of the HEARER.
The presence of naysayers probably means you’re doing something right.
<>< Neil
Sunday School should be a caring community
that innovatively engages students
in all the ways their God-wired brains can learn The Word.
If this is your quest, we’re here to help.
(If you don’t get it, good luck.)
FEEDBACK:
Dear Neil,
I enjoyed your “rant” about media use in Sunday school and what we allow our kids to “connect to.”
Your stance reminds me a lot of Fred Rogers’ lifelong dedication to children and families via the new, at the time, media of television. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood continues to be one of the standards for how media may be used to uplift, empower and minister.
Thanks for articulating what the rest of us haven’t been able.
Catherine
Director of Christian Education
1st UCC, Glen Ellyn, IL
