Babel Part 1: Our Relationship with Technology

BOTTOM LINE: EVERY ONE OF US HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH TECHNOLOGY.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: GENESIS 11:1-9; GENESIS 11:6 MSG

The “Babel” series is NOT about bashing technology. That would be hypocritical. After all, we ask you as
leaders to connect with your students during the week, and you use technology to do that. The content for
this series is available because of technology. And the reality is that technology is a part of all our lives, not
just teenagers’ lives. However, we do want students to realize that each one of us does have a relationship
with technology, and that relationship can be super intense or very simple. Today, the goal is simply to help
students begin to look at that relationship and start to define what that relationship is.

Create meaningful conversation. Adjust questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all of them.

1. Are there any pieces of technology that you used to think would never be out of date that nobody uses
anymore? (CD players, VHS, etc.)

2. What are some pieces of technology we use now that you can’t imagine ever being out of date?

3. What piece of technology do you think you rely on the most? What makes you so attached to this piece of
technology? (Does it keep you connected to your friends? Does it entertain you? Does it let you know what it is going on in the world?) What does it offer you that you value?

4. How many of you are familiar with the story of Babel? What about the story was interesting to you? Did you discover anything new from the story?

5. We often think of technology as the Internet or cell phones or computers, but the basic definition of technology is “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.” So what kind of technology did
the people of Babel use?

6. What was the motive of the people building the tower? Why did God respond the way He did to the building of the tower?

7. What do you think a healthy relationship with technology looks like?

8. What would using technology with the wrong motives look like for us today? Or, what would a wrong relationship with technology look like? Is it possible to have a “bad” relationship with technology, even if you aren’t using it do “bad” things? Why or why not?

9. What would a right relationship with technology look like? Read Psalm 73:25: Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you (NIV). King David, who is often referred to as a man after God’s own heart, wrote this psalm. David is making a pretty strong statement by saying earth has nothing he desires besides God. If you were writing this Psalm, what are some of the things earth has that you might desire a lot?

10. Have you ever thought of technology as being something that competes with God? How does technology
compete with your relationship with God?

11. This week I want you to try to ask yourself what kind of relationship you have with technology. What are
some ways you can measure this relationship? (By how much time is spent on it, thinking about it, depending
on it, evaluating your dependence on it etc.)

ANNOUNCEMENT:

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN (Due to this event, we are NOT having SHIFT on February 3)

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 | 8 - 10 a.m. | Auditorium

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Auditorium

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children that get shipped to nearly 70 countries around the world. Visit the Feed My Starving Children website to learn more about this wonderful organization!

Feed My Starving Children MobilePack events allow people across the United States to pack life-giving meals. This is a powerful experience that gives adults and children (ages 6 and over) the understanding that there are over 8,000 children dying from hunger each day around the world, and FMSC gives us a way to make a difference. If you are interested in packing food boxes (or helping behind the scenes) we would LOVE to have your help at one of our three 2-hour shifts. Make sure you invite your family, your friends, co-workers, your Small Group (you get the picture!) to join us! (6 years or older, please.)

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

To get involved, you can sign up below or in the Lobby on the weekends for one of our three shifts to help pack boxes in Auditorium or to help with registration in the Lobby: Friday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 - 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Or visit our Feed My Starving Children donate page and help us financially to meet our goal!

Few things to know.

· All volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes. Otherwise, please come in clean, comfortable

clothes.

· Do not wear or bring any jewelry.

· The minimum age for volunteering is 6 years old. Children under 6 are not allowed in packing

areas.

· Please note that all volunteers must go through orientation and training at the beginning of

each session. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled start time and plan to stay

until the end of your session.

· Volunteers with extreme food allergies or allergies to any of the listed ingredients are advised not to pack.

** Students must sign-up online at http://mscwired.org/fmsc or in the lobby at church!