Cast Out Fear in Parenting

Parenting without fear may not come easy to you. But remember 2 Timothy 1:7. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 

We may think of this verse when we contemplate witnessing about the power of Christ in our lives. We would do well to also remember it when we consider our parenting responsibilities. And managing our child’s technology habits. That’s a time to parent without fear.

Parenting without Fear

If, as parents, we fear technology’s impact on our homes, we are more likely to make a mistake in managing it.

Yet we would be wise to be strong and do the work. (1 Chron 28:10b) We can begin casting out fear by opening our eyes and ears to the unknown.

If you don’t know what Steam is, who streamer Ninja is, or why your son wants to use game content to practice coding or animating, a Continue reading

Using Online Experiences to Teach Biblical Lessons

A teen who spends a significant amount of time online has direct knowledge of the “sins” of the web. Whether playing a game or using a forum to better learn Adobe Photoshop, he witnesses common transgressions such as pride, deceitfulness, and people who stir up conflict in the community. Is he prepared to discern those sins? Respond to them?

Here’s an exercise that may be useful to help your teen recognize and respond to the list of sins described by Proverbs 6:16-19. Continue reading

He Said, He Said

The modern version of the playground fight is happening all across America in TV rooms and bedrooms harboring players of action/adventure games.

Jimmy:  (bluntly) “Oh, you jerk! Why’d you kill me! Now I’m going to go into the building and get more ammo!” (Now absorbed again into the game and away from any conscious understanding of the social consequences coming his way).

Johnny: (offended) Jerk? You think I’m a jerk? I thought we were friends!

Jimmy:  (still distracted) “What do you mean ‘jerk’? I never called you a jerk!

Johnny:  (with righteous indignation) You liar! Yes, you did!

He said, he said.  Distracted communication during video game play leads to misunderstanding and name calling, anger and confusion, and loss of civility and friendliness. “Headset friendships” are prone to such miscommunication.

On the playground an adult may notice the brewing problem and step in to mediate.  If you have designed the game play area in your home Continue reading