(Hi-Tech Family)

Family That Connects Through Technology

Families in the Bible

·The First Family – Gen 2-4

·Noah saves family – Gen 5-9

·Lot lost his family – Gen 19

·Samuel’s parents – 1 Sam 1

·The prodigal family – Lk 15:11ff

·Timothy’s family heritage – 2 Tim 1:5; 3:15

·Observations:

o    Not all Bible families are “healthy.”

o    Some lacked connection – Cain, Lot, Prodigal

o    Some connected well at times – Noah, Hannah / Samuel, Timothy / Lois / eunice

Family Connection is Important

·Family is a type of community (a social setting)

o    Individuals make up the family

o    Each individual has a role within the family

o    Each either adds to or takes away from family community (connection)

·Rom 12:4-5 (cf. 1 Cor 12:12ff).

Every Family has Basic Needs

·Love – 1 Jn 3:18

·Commitment – Gal 5:13-14

·Togetherness – Col 3:20-21

The Role of Technology

·What is technology?

o    Anything that man creates (invents) and uses to improve or impact life to make a task easier or to make something more available.

o    Rock tools to iPads

o    Radios, TV, streaming video

o    Buggies, passenger trains, automobiles

o    Telegraph, teletype, telephone, cellular phone

o    Abacus, calculator, pocket computer

Concerns of technology: How Does Technology Impact My Family?

·Will we isolate? (iPods, texting, computer)

·Will I lose influence to TV, movies, and friends?

·When are children old enough to have their own ______?

o    38% of parents this 16 for cell phone.

o    GMA report on cell phones and cancer suggested not allowing young children to have cell phones.

o    FB policy requires a person to be 13yo (if younger have to LIE to use).

·BARNA Research (May 23, 2011)

o    Parents and teens both depend on technology alike.

o    Most feel technology has a positive influence or is neutral.

o    Very few take substantial breaks from technology

§  ˝ of students check email, talk, text while in bed within the week of survey

§  1/5 of adults did.

§  ˝ of both groups talked, texted, or emailed during a meal.

o    Technology and family conflict

§  17% of teens say parents are bringing work home b/c of technology.

§  39% of parents think technology makes communication difficult.

§  These may be adding to families already at risk.

Using Technology to Connect as a Family

·FaceBook / Twitter

o    Connects family across miles

o    Connects family and friends of family

o    Helps parents know the activities of children (friends)

o    *Know your child’s password.

·Cellphones

o    When needed not as a toy.

o    Suggest a child gets a phone when their activities will regularly take them away from parents.

o    Set rules about texting and driving, turning off at night, etc.

o    As a family use them to text / talk daily – (love bank deposit)

·         Netflix / Video Games

o    Is bringing families together for videos, movies, TV

o    Wii can bring families together – violence can cause harm

Technology is Neutral.

·We can use technology to help us connect.

·We can use technology to help us meet our family needs.

·We can use technology but be a good steward of time and finances.

·We can use technology to help us share the Good News.

We can use technology for evil – plan crime, sell drugs, pornography, lies, gossip, infidelity, etc.

By Scott McCown