Handling Media InfluencesSample

This week's key thought is, "One thing matters more than stuff from a store." Keep this point in mind as you read this week's verses, go through the discussion, watch the video, and as you reflect on your interaction with media this week. Talk through these key points throughout the week:

• It doesn’t have to be “bad” stuff to keep you from growing closer to Jesus. It just has to use up all your time that you could have used to know Him better.
• Our enemy Satan came to kill, steal, and destroy. He can defeat us by distracting us. If we are so busy clicking on links, watching funny videos, playing games, and goofing off, then he has won our hearts without us even putting up a fight.
• Sometimes just allowing us to get our schedules too busy or not being careful about how much time we waste unintentionally is all it takes to keep us from growing our relationship with Jesus.
• We need to make sure the way we spend our time puts God above all else. All of the other stuff in the world is just fluff compared to knowing God. When we put him first, He will give us everything we need. It’s not a trade-off, it’s a trade-UP.