With so many social media dangers and apps like Snapchat and Instagram, it’s so hard to know when/if your child should even have a phone and if she does, where is the line? Ah the great debate and while we hear you, we think the debate should go beyond should my child have a cell phone or not. If you decide to not give your child a phone, great! But if you do (that’s wonderful!), have you set your daughter up so she knows how to handle the device in a mature and healthy way?
Your daughter had to be taught how to properly tie and wear her shoes, right? Well in the same way, she must be taught how to use electronic devices in a mature and healthy way. Children can’t do what they haven’t been taught to do, so during our last SKG Girl Gab Mother/Daughter Bible study, we went “Online with Eve” to learn 5 truths about self-control your daughter needs to know so she can handle electronics wisely.
Have your daughter open her Bible to Genesis 3 and read verses 1-13 and 20-21.
Everything God made is good. (Genesis 1:31)- The tree of knowledge of good and evil that Eve and her husband, Adam, ate from was good because God created it and everything God has created is good. Think about all the things that make up cell phones or tablets or television screens. God created the brains that developed the internet. He made the materials that make up cell phones. He made the air and sound waves upon which radio and television pictures travel to our electronic devices. The internet, media, and electronics can be used for good things and maybe the thing that is tempting you is actually a good thing, which leads us to #2.
Satan is a liar. (Genesis 3:1; John 8:34) – Depending on what version of the Bible you’re reading, Genesis 3:1 may say Satan was “crafty” which means, Satan is untruthful and sneaky. John 8:34 names Satan as the ‘Father of All Lies,’ meaning all lies come from him. So Satan will take something is good and has a good purpose and lie to us about its purpose so that we are tempted to do bad things with it. Satan twisted what God said and made Eve think that God was withholding something good from her. In the same way, Satan’s lies can make us feel like we will miss out on something or like we won’t be considered cool if we follow God’s way.
Eve had to make a decision to be God-controlled by being self-controlled. (Genesis 3:4) – Self-control is actually a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it comes from God. He gives us the ability to control ourselves so if we don’t have God helping us, we can’t have self-control. Eve had a decision to make – whether she was going to believe Satan, the liar, or believe God and use His help to control herself. We too have to decide whether we’re going to let media and television control us or whether we’re going to use God’s help, His Spirit, to have control over us.
Giving into temptation always leads to a situation. (Genesis 3:6-7) – Temptation leads you to a place where instead of feeling good or comforted, you feel naked and ashamed like Eve did when God came to find her. But the good news is found in #5…
God will comfort you if you don’t keep hiding. (Genesis 3:21) –
Adam and Eve had to come out and let God see them. Once they revealed themselves, God gave them fur coats (or garments of skins), which means He clothed them. He comforted them.
Girls and moms, we all face temptation, things that tease us into doing the wrong thing. But with God’s help, we can all choose to be self-controlled. And when we mess up, when we give into temptation, we can also choose to come out of hiding. Daughters, if you’re hiding something, if you’ve done something or looked at something you know you weren’t supposed to, don’t stay silent any longer. Come out! Tell God, tell your mom. They may give you consequences – which are really for your good – but they will also give you comfort through their love and forgiveness.
Watch the video below for the online Bible study as well.
Does your daughter know that she is a masterpiece created by God? Will she believe it in a few years, or will she succumb to the photoshop lies of culture? Secret Keeper Girl’s Purple Party Tour invites moms and daughters to think and act differently. Through worship, fun bible teaching and memorable stories, tween girls will be told unequivocally that they are each a masterpiece created by God. Secret Keeper Girl: The Purple Party Tour is coming to a town near you!
Friday, October 14th
Eastridge Church in Issaquah
Purchase your tickets here!
OR
Saturday, October 15th
Gateway Fellowship in Poulsbo
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