Technology and Faith

If you want your students to contemplate their friendships in light of Facebook and how Christian friendships might look different, try this Bible study. 

Icebreaker: What is a friend?

Option 1:

Write the word “FRIEND” on a large piece of paper. Have students do an acrostic, coming up with something related to friendship for each letter. (i.e. F = friendly, fierce supporter, fun)

Option 2:

Have each student tell about a really good friend they have or have had. If that feels too personal, have them think of examples of friends from a movie. Have them share why that person is a good friend and maybe one or two stories of something that meant a lot to them that communicated friendship.

Online Option:

On your group’s MySpace or Facebook page, have students leave wall postings: sharing 1 or 2 words or pictures that describe friendship. (What a cool addition to your public MySpace or Facebook page!) Once that is accomplished, ask them to share some experiences they have had with true friendship. This may be more appropriate for a discussion forum, IM chat room, or blog space that is not open to the public.

Technology tie-in:

After the icebreaker is finished, summarize the elements that are important in friendships. Then ask them to describe what a MySpace or Facebook “friend” is. How is it different? Discuss how they think technology impacts friendships—What are good and bad things IM does for friendships? How does Facebook change how we do friendships? Are those changes good or bad?

Biblical Foundation:

Now let’s look at what the Bible says about friendship.

I. Why is friendship important?

Ask your students to brainstorm why friendships are important—especially Christian friends.

After looking up the following passage, have students talk about why the Bible says friends are important.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." -- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Here are a few reasons to consider:

1. We need friends for times of need

We never know when we might need a helping hand. Think of a time you really needed a friend and how that friend provided strength or encouragement.

     2.  We need friends to speak the truth

"An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." – Proverbs 27:5-6 (NLT)

Friends can provide good advice, wisdom, and even a rebuke. Ask students to define “rebuke”, then discuss why a “rebuke” is easier to take from a friend.

     3. We are commanded to be friends to others

Ask students to summarize in their own words each of the following verses.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:2

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
– Philippians 2:4

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

     4. Christ’s agape love is modeled through our friends

Talk about how Christ demonstrated friendship towards us.

II. How can we be a good friend?

Brainstorm together or use some of these…

1. Seek to serve rather than to be served

2. Be quick with encouragement & praise, avoid criticism

3. Be honest

4. Be faithful—stick by friends, even when they are wrong

5. Really listen

6. Protect your friend’s reputation, keep private things private

High-Tech Application

1. Discuss how friends should treat each other on IM, Text messaging, and MySpace or Facebook
2. Ask students to write down at least 2 ways they can encourage a friend using technology.
3. Role model friendship the following week using IM, e-mail, texting, or Facebook/MySpace. Send encouraging messages. Check up on at least two or three students during the week using IM or e-mail. Ask students how they have been a good friend that day.