Train Up a Child: Social Mediaಮಾದರಿ

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!

The Art of the Unfollow

Timmy sits in a corner with a tablet in his hand. He is deflated.

Janet: Timothy Simon Markwell, where are you? It’s time for supper and the whole family is at the table ready to eat.

As Janet enters the room, Timmy tries to hide his tablet from her but she sees this.

Janet: There you are Timmy. What’s up?

Timmy: Nothing.

Janet: It doesn’t look like nothing. I saw you try to hide that tablet pretty fast. Are you on a site or playing a game you’re not supposed to?

Timmy: No, it’s not that.

Janet: Then what is it?

Timmy: I’m such a loser!

Janet: What?

Timmy: Jared Johnson is making fun of me for having no followers on Instagram. Look!

He hands her the tablet and she takes it.

Janet: You don’t even have an Instagram account.

Timmy: I know.

Janet: So how could you have any followers?

Timmy: I don’t know, but some of the kids in my class are commenting about it.

Janet: They’re ten year olds. Why are they even on Instagram? Do their parents know?

Janet scrolls through the posts.

Timmy: Who knows. They don’t use their real names, anyway.

Janet: Hmm. Those are mean things that they said.

Timmy: Jared already has more than 200 friends.

Janet: He seems pretty popular. Do you think he knows all 200 hundred of them?

Timmy: I don’t know.

Janet: When I was your age I had 3 friends, and 2 of them were my brothers. I’d say 200 is about 197 people more than Jared actually knows or who could know him well.

Timmy: But look, he says I’ll never be as cool as him.

Janet: I can only hope. If that’s what coolness is, then I’d pass. Do you want to be like him?

Timmy: I don’t know.

Janet: Making other people less so you can feel bigger or better? That’s not how we live, Timmy.

Timmy: How could I even have any followers if I don’t have an account?

Janet: Hey, I know having followers on Instagram and Snapchat is important to you and your friends. We all want to be liked. But what’s more important is that you’re a follower of Jesus.

Timmy: I know.

Janet: I know you know, sweetheart. And I’m sorry that they’re saying these hurtful things. But guess what? As a follower of Jesus you’re going to feel unpopular sometimes.

Timmy: Even if I try to do what’s right?

Janet: Especially if you try to do what’s right! You’re actually in good company. Jesus himself only had a few followers during his lifetime, especially near the end of his time on earth. In fact, most people unfollowed him.

Timmy: Seriously? But why?

Janet: Because he called them to do what was difficult, not what was easy. He called people to love God with everything they’ve got and obey him no matter the cost. And so people turned away from him. Imagine that!

Timmy: Really? I haven’t read that story yet.

Janet: Let’s read it tonight after supper, which is getting cold, by the way.

Timmy: I don’t want other people to think I’m a loser though, mom.

Janet: None of us do. But the real losers are the ones who miss out on all the good things God asks and calls them to do. God sees your heart, Timmy, and he thinks the world of you.

She puts out her hand and he takes it; she helps haul him to his feet.

Timmy: Thanks mom. So, how many friends do you have on your Instagram account?

Janet: Three or four, and two of them are my brothers.

Timmy: That’s three or four more than me.

Janet: Next time Jared brings it up, just tell him that popularity runs in the family.

Timmy: Funny.

Janet: Let’s go. Time for some lasagna.