Christians and the Media: Part 1 of 4 (Education and Current Events)

Christians and the Media: Part 1 of 4 (Education and Current Events) – Bible Lesson. Teen Bible Lesson.

I want to introduce each part of this series with these three ideas for parents and teachers . . .

• Listen. Find out what movies, music, and TV your teens are consuming. Position yourself first as an information gatherer, not just as a censor. Become familiar with their media choices.
  
• Analyze. Ask yourself, “Why do these have appeal?” “What questions do these media address that are really important to my teens?”
• Challenge. Demonstrate that the Bible discusses the very topics that their favorite songs, movies and TV programs address. Help your students compare and contrast the biblical and media views.

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Name as many foreign countries in Asia, Africa and South America as you can. Name as many top leaders (presidents, prime ministers, etc. ) of foreign countries as you can. Name countries where American troops are currently deployed. Name as many of your national, state, district and local government officials as you can. Some Christians may look at these questions and say, “So what? Does it really matter? Isn’t knowing Christ the only thing of real importance?”

In years past it has been said that an effective disciple of Christ holds a Bible in one hand and today’s newspaper in the other. Wise use of educational and news media can strengthen our influence for Christ, help us understand how to live in this world as believers and aid us as we set our priorities.

While only Jesus can save, it is important for Christians to know what going on in their world. These research/study questions will help us clarify why we need to be aware of current events and have a good grasp of general knowledge.

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Education empowers us as we engage the world.

1. Have you ever heard the saying, “knowledge is power”? What does it mean to you? What might Moses have said about that saying (Acts 7:22)?
   
2. Read 1 Kings 4:29 – 34 and Daniel 1:3, 4, 18 – 20. What “textbooks and news media” of their day did Solomon and Daniel study? What were some of the results?
   

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Knowing our world allows us to live in it wisely.

1. They say that “times change”. What does that mean? Do you agree or disagree? How do you think King David’s military advisers from Issachar would have responded to those same questions (1 Chronicles 12:23, 32)? What is the value of understanding the times?
   
2. Solomon essentially repeated himself in Proverbs 11:14 and Proverbs 15:22. Why do you think those words were important to him in his position and in his day? Why do you think they are important to those who want to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world of the 21st century?
   

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Hearing different viewpoints allows us to clarify our beliefs.

1. What are some different ways in which people respond to new knowledge? How might people today finish the following sentence in two totally opposite ways? “If it is new information, it must be ________________ .” How does the principle found in 1 Thessalonians 5:20 – 22 keep Christians from falling into either extremes?
   
2. What do you think is meant by the phrase “itching ears” in 2 Timothy 4:3? Read 1 Kings 12:1 – 10. Do you think Rehoboam really sought to learn, or was he just “itching” to hear a certain point of view? Defend your answer.
   

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What Happened to Demas?

(What Happened to Demas?) Bible Question.

Question:

“The Bible says Demas forsook Paul, having loved the present world. What does that mean? What happened to him?”

Answer:

Demas was a co-worker of the apostle Paul, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.” (Philemon 23, 24; New International Version)

He was with Paul during the apostle’s first imprisonment. Paul wrote from prison in Rome to the church at Colossae, “Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.” (Colossians 4:14)

Finally, Demas is said to have deserted Paul, “. . . Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. . . “ (2 Timothy 4:10a)

As Paul describes Demas’ actions, he is drawing a contrast with an earlier statement he had just made in the same letter. . . “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8). Demas, unlike those who were longing for the coming of Jesus, has decided to put his trust in the present time.

Scholars are divided on what exactly happened to Demas. Some believe he did not want to be with Paul during a second trial in Rome. Some contend that he did not forsake the Lord, but instead merely deserted Paul. I think Demas left the Lord and His work altogether. Instead of being among them longing for the Lord’s return, he favored this world. To me, that says he gave up on being a Christian and (in the process of giving up) abandoned Paul. But again, this is my conclusion.

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A Friend On Death Row (2 Timothy 4:9 – 22)

A Friend On Death Row (2 Timothy 4:9 – 22) Bible Lesson. Teen Bible Lesson.

Scripture Text:

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2 Timothy 4:9 – 22

Questions:

1. What do you learn about the apostle Paul, the man, in these personal remarks to Timothy?

2. Describe Paul’s emotional state based upon what you learn in verse 9 – 12.

3. Describe a physical need of Paul based upon what you learn in verses 13a and 21a.

4. Describe Paul’s intellectual needs based upon what you learn in verse 13b.

5. How important is it for friends to be honest with each other about their needs? Explain.

6. What are good and bad reasons for telling others about those who wronged you?

7. What city was Timothy in at this time (1 Timothy 1:3) and what was the occupation of the person about whom Paul warned Timothy?

8. Read about Paul’s experience with another person of that occupation in that same city in Acts 19:23 – 31. Based upon what you have learned, how serious might the threat to Timothy be if he were not cautious?

9. In what specific circumstance did Paul’s friends let him down? What might be their reasons for their actions?

10. In what way did Paul’s faith enable him to forgive his friends?

11. Compare verse 18 to verses 6 – 8. Knowing that Paul was writing from prison, what do you think was about to happen in his life? How is he giving his friends a second chance?

12. How do you think Paul felt – in a cold prison cell, virtually alone because his friends were either busy or had deserted him?

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