Catechism: Social Media & My CommunitySample

When you think of gifts from God, you might think of things like material blessings, special spiritual strengths, or answers to prayer. But the Bible teaches us that one of the greatest gifts God gives his people is community--other members of God’s family that encourage us, teach us, and help us grow in our faith. 

While there are tons of spiritual resources available to us online (including this app!), we’d be missing out on one of God’s greatest gifts if we try to replace face-to-face community with a virtual one. No podcast or Instagram account could ever replace the personal accountability and guidance that comes with walking through life with other believers! This kind of redeemed community helps us grow to be mature believers that walk in truth and love.

God designed us this way, and it’s only in an authentic community that you can grow to be all that God created you to be! 

Read Ephesians 4:11-16

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced true community as it’s described here? How could belonging to a Christian community help you  grow in your identity as a follower of Jesus?
2. What does it mean for a Christian community to “speak the truth in love?” (verse 15) Why do you think truth is so essential to an authentic community? 
3. Thanks to social media, we are exposed to more ideas and philosophies than ever before. How do you determine what’s false teaching and what’s not? How could belonging to a community of believers help you do that?