Many people rely on the internet to talk to others, find excitement, and pass time, especially in circumstances like the pandemic when we couldn’t be together in person. Some people think the internet is really helpful, and others think it is more harmful.

As Christians, we need to think carefully about how we use the internet.

Here are three important things to remember:

1. How the Internet Affects Your Faith

The internet can affect how close we feel to God. Ask yourself questions like:

• How much time is too much time spent surfing the internet?

• Is the internet keeping me from praying or reading the Bible?

• Do I find it hard to focus at church or during prayers because of my phone?

In 2 Corinthians 4:18, the Bible reminds us to focus on things that last forever—not just on ever-changing things online.

2. Check Your Heart

Why do you use the internet? Is it just for fun, or are you looking for attention?

These days, people share all sorts of things to get likes or look cool. But, if we care more about what others think of us than what God thinks, that’s a problem. Wanting to be popular in this world can fill us with false pride or shame.

Jesus tells us what really matters is not how many followers we have, but how we love others as we do ourselves. God sees greatness in people who are kind, loving, and humble, people like John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11).

3. How the Internet can be Used Honour God

If God has blessed us, we should thank Him, share His love, and not show off. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to live in a way that pleases God, not for man's praise.

Here are some good ways we can use the internet:

• Share kind words and encourage others

• Check in on friends and family

• Share Bible verses or stories about Jesus

If you realise the internet is occupying too much of your day, it might be time to take a break and spend more time with God. Ask God to help you use your phone or computer in a way that honours Him.

The internet isn’t bad, we use it almost everyday; it is how we use the internet that makes it good or bad. Let’s ask God to help us have the right heart, the right goals, and the self-control to use the internet according to His will and for His glory.

Family Altar

Use these discussion questions and our prayer as a guide for your family altar.

Parents can lead the prayer and invite their children to repeat after them or encourage their children to take the lead, making family altar time a shared journey of faith.

Discussion Questions:

• How much time do you spend on the internet everyday and what do you use the internet for?

• In trying to be like Jesus, how good or how bad do you think the internet is at helping you do so?

• How can you use the internet to glorify God and help others?

Prayer in Words:

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray.

Thank You, Lord, for the fun and convenience of the internet.

Help us to have the wisdom to use today's technology to increase our true knowledge of You and grow in faith because of it.

No matter how attractive the things of the world become, keep our hearts undistracted from You.

Hallelujah, Amen.