Media Frenzy

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

- I conducted a survey of the students and staff on the first day and found out that we spend over 2,000 hours a week total watching tv, surfing the net, etc.  I challenged our students to give a few of those hours each week to reading their Bible, praying, family, etc.  Did you participate in the media fast at any point?  Are you still participating?

- I demonstrated to our students how easy it is to wake up and read their Bible and do a devotional. We provide our students with Credo Magazine.  This is a GREAT daily devotional guide.  I have encouraged students to use that during the media fast and as a way to spend more time in the Bible.  Are you reading Credo magazine? Encourage them to pick one up.  They are available in the annex.

- We talked about being branded.  I shared with them a statement from MTV saying that they don’t advertise to this generation, they own them.  We discussed what it means to be branded by the media vs. being branded by God.  I encouraged students to get into the Word and spend time with God to truly be branded by Him and not the media.

- We discussed TRUE beauty vs. the media’s version of beauty.  We watched a video that shows everything that has to be done with makeup and computer programs just to put a picture of somebody on a billboard.  Students learned that God looks at their heart and created us uniquely in His image.  Our true beauty comes from within… and the man or woman on the billboard isn’t even realtiy.

- Finally we discussed a way to filter the media we watch.  I’ve encouraged our students to apply this test to everything they watch, read, or spend time doing.  Remember this filter:

Message – What is the message?  Is it good or bad?
Effect – What effect will this have on me?  Bad dreams? Unhealthy thoughts?
Damage – Will this damage me?  My relationship with Christ?  My relationship with parents?
Instead  - What could I be doing instead of watching or doing this?  Bible? Prayer? Family?
Ask – Would I be comfortable with Jesus here watching this?  (because He is!)