RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MANUAL 6 MARCH 2022

LESSON TWENTY-SEVEN (27)
TOPIC: THE SOCIAL MEDIA

OPENING PRAYER: Lord, please help me to walk in wisdom with You and with human
technologies.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Colossians 4:5-6
[5]Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
[6]Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

MEMORY VERSE: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.’ Daniel 12:4

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Hundreds of millions of people are becoming increasingly interested in social networking sites to enjoy and maximise the relational opportunities of these sites.

Are these networking sites the next big mission field or an enormous waste of time? Should a Christian participate in social networking?.

The answer to these questions should be determined by whether we can honestly ask God to bless and use our actions for His own good purposes (1 Cor.10:31).

TEXT REVIEW: Colossians 4:5-6
In this passage, Apostle Paul admonishes
believers to:
i. Walk in wisdom toward them that are ot*
side (non-believers) V5a.
ii. Redeem the time V5b.
iii. ……….. v6a.
iv. ……….. v6b.
v. ………….v6c.

LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: MEDIA SOCIAL DESCRIBED

A. The teacher should ask the students to share their knowledge on the concept of social media. He/she should then highlights some concepts of social media as follow:

i. Social media are web-based technologies that facilitate the sharing of ideas, thoughts and information through the building of virtual networks and communities.

ii. Social media is internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of
content i.e. user-generated content.

iii. Social media websites and applications are such that enable users create and share content to participate in social networking.

iv. A social networking service is an online platform which people use to build social networks or social relationships with other people who share similar personal, business or career interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections.

B. Teacher should allow students mention some social media handles they know. The following commonly used social media sites/handles should be mentioned:
i. YouTube, ii. Facebook, iii. Instagram, iv. Quora, v. TikTok, vi. Facebook messenger, vii. Pinterest, viii. Viber, ix. Discord, x.Twitter xi. WhatsApp, xii. LinkedIn, xiii. Google+, xiv. Telegram, xv. SKYPE, xvi. QQ, xvii. Tumblr, xviii. Reddit, xix. Snapchat, xx. zoom and other professional/business platforms.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention the social media platforms they use most and purpose for usage.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Teacher should allow the students express their views on the advantages and disadvantage of using social media.

Some Of The Advantages Are:
i. *Propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ:* The potential of the social media can be harassed for the propagation, expansion and growth of the gospel (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14).

ii. *Corporate engagements:* Social media can help improve individual’s sense of reasoning with real or online communities and be an effective communication (or marketing) tool for corporations, entrepreneurs, profit and non-profit making organisations, is advocacy groups, political parties, government sectors etc.

iii. *Building of relationships:* Families, friends, associates etc, can easily connect and reconnect for meaningful relationship (Proverbs 18:24)

iv. *Social media influencers:* These are social media users who have an established credibility and audience, who can persuade others by virtue of their trust-worthiness and authenticity. You can become a great influencer for God through the social media (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 2 1-2; Titus 2:7). Souls can be won and discipled through you as you showcase Christ and the kingdom virtues to the word.

v. *Ease of doing business:* Products and services can be advertised or marketed real-time. It gives the opportunity to create a sales funnel whereby a new contacts become potential/serious customers (Proverbs 22:29)

Some Of The Disadvantages Are:
i. Uncontrolled/untamed Posts (pictures, video, captions, etc,) *Proverbs 18:2; Colossians 4:6*. The consequence of any statements, both now and in the future, should be considered. It should be assumed that everything written or said is permanent and viewable by everyone (Proverbs 21:23)

ii. *Treating the Bible as irrelevant* or archaic in relation to modern trends and technologies.

iii. *Spreading of heretical* teachings and half truth

iv. *Playing down the God-factor* as social media influencer for the sake of retaining followers from all walks of Life (Romans 1:28).

v. *Self-isolation.* Avoiding physical meetings or interaction while using the social media as a disguise to engage in some unethical activities/behaviour

vi. *Social media addictions* (Galatians 5:1): Limiting the amount of time (expect for business purpose) we devote to these social networking site is both healthy and wise

vii. *Attention deficiency syndrome* i.e. inability to concentrate on a task or programme for a specific period without diverting to the social media

viii. *Physical disconnection among close relatives.* Family members living together can even become familiar strangers

ix. *Vanity metrics*. Relying on the response from others through likes and comments to your post in judging your self-worth or important

x. *Activities of scammers* and fraudsters

xi. *Narcissism*. Excessive self-love or self-importance emerges when we rely on social media sites primarily to promote ourselves or draw attention to ourselves.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should recall how social media has been helpful or harmful to them.

SUMMARY: The social media is a great tool for both self-development and propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, caution should be taken to avoid addiction

CONCLUSION: Be disciplined in the use of the social media. It is also wise to have accountability partners: encourage your spouse, family members and Christian brothers/sisters to view your social networking activities and hold you accountable (Proverbs 27:17).

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please help me to influence people into Your kingdom through the use of the social media.

ASSIGNMENT : List five (5) unethical use of social media platforms.