Train Up a Child: Social Mediaનમૂનો

You can read the devotion out loud as a family, giving two people a part to read. Or have one person read it out loud. Have fun with the voices and characters, and if you're up for it, you can even act out the script!

If God Had a TikTok Account

Timmy is sitting at a table in the kitchen resting his head in his hands. The family’s tablet sits unused on the table. Janet walks in and sees him slouched.

Janet: Timmy, your brother and sister are outside, don’t you want to go out and play? It’s a nice afternoon.

Timmy: Not really.

Janet: Well, why don’t you go on the tablet then? You’re done your homework and it’s a Friday. You know you’re allowed 45 minutes.

Timmy: I don’t ever want to use the tablet again.

Janet: Timothy Simon Markwell, something’s going on. What’s wrong?

She sits down beside him. Timmy picks up the tablet, taps the screen a few times, and shows her the screen.

Timmy: Look what the kids at my new school are saying about me.

Janet takes the tablet from him and scrolls through.

Janet: Oh sweetheart, when did this start?

Timmy: I thought they were my friends.

Janet: How long has this been going on?

Timmy: The teacher had each of us share 3 of our favourite things in class on Tuesday. I said I loved being with my family, watching football and going to church. What’s wrong with that?

Janet: Nothing at all. Those are wonderful things to share.

Timmy: But look at all those mean things these guys are saying. I thought it was good to be a Christian.

Janet: It is.

Timmy: They don’t seem to think so.

Janet: Not everyone will.

Timmy: I thought if I went on TikTok they’d like me.

Janet: That’s not the reason to go on TikTok.

Timmy: Should I delete my account?

Janet: I don’t think so.

Timmy: Should I fight ‘em?

Janet: Definitely not.

Timmy: That’s what Jack said.

Janet: I’ll talk to your brother later. And your dad and I will speak with your teacher and with these kids’ parents. But you know what you and I should do?

Timmy: What?

Janet: We both should take a break from social media for awhile and do something else with our time.

Timmy: Like what?

Janet: We could pray. How about every time you and I feel like going on TikTok this weekend to see what people are saying or doing, we pray instead.

Timmy: That’s a lot of praying.

Janet: I know.

Timmy: Is that even possible?

Janet: In the Bible it says that we should pray without ceasing. I think most people think that’s not really possible, but when you see how much people are checking their phones, texting, emailing, you realize that if you can text or scroll without ceasing, then it’s possible to talk with God just as much as we do with other people.

Timmy: But what if God feels the same way these kids at school feel about me?

Timmy slouches again, downcast.

Janet: Look at me.

Timmy looks up at his mom.

Janet: That’s impossible.

Timmy: How do you know?

Janet: Because I don’t get my view of myself from TikTok, I get it in the good Book.

Timmy: The Bible?

Janet: Exactly. God loves you and has good plans for you, Timmy. If God had a TikTok account, you know what he’d message you?

Timmy: That he loves me?

Janet: Absolutely! And so many other kind and encouraging things.

Timmy: Like what?

Janet: Like how proud he is of you. How he thinks you’re courageous and kind. But he doesn’t need TikTok because he’s telling you about his love all the time in the Bible, when you pray, through the kindness and love of others. And you get to share His love with others at school, even with what you post online.

Timmy: You’re going to ask me to pray for these bullies, aren’t you.

Janet: Yes. Because that’s what people who love God do.

Timmy: But what do I do when I go back to school on Monday?

Janet: That’s one thing we can pray about together.

Timmy: Ok. Let’s try it. But mom?

Janet: What bud?

Timmy: Can we pray without ceasing and then have some ice cream?

Janet: Absolutely.