Latest revision as of 19:58, 24 January 2021

Objectives

• Students will apply Philippians 4:8 directly to a specific scenario involving entertainment choices.
• Students will consider the implications of Philippians 4:8 for their own decision making.

Main Body (Small Groups, 15 minutes)

• What are the adjectives listed in Philippians 4:8?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8 ESV

• • true
  • honorable
  • just
  • pure
  • lovely
  • commendable
  • excellent
  • worthy of praise

We could spend a lot of time studying each of these words in English or even in Greek to better understand each of these terms but instead of doing that let's keep it simple and go with a basic meaning for each term.

• What command is given in Philippians 4:8? How does this relate to what we fill our minds with?
  • To think on things that could be described using the list of adjectives above.
  • If we fill our minds with things that are untrue, in-honorable, ... then we will have a hard time thinking on things that are true, honorable, ...

• What are some examples of situations where someone might find themselves feeling pressure to play/watch/read something that would not be described by the list above?
  • Watching a movie with a group of friends
  • Playing a particular video game with friends
  • Going to a particular party

• What commitments does the psalmist make in Psalm 101:3-4?

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Psalm 101:3-4 ESV

• • A commitment to not look on what would be described as worthless.
  • A commitment to oppose those who turn away from God.
  • A commitment not not allow perversion to enter the heart.
  • A commitment to not learn of evil.

• What are examples of things that might be considered worthless?

• What would it look like to not allow perversion to enter your heart? Does this mean that the psalmist was completely pure?
  • It almost certainly does not mean that that psalmist was completely pure but that the psalmist had made a commitment to avoid in-purity. There will be times when you will be exposed to impurity because you live in a fallen world. The idea here is that you make every effort to minimize such in-purity.

• What does it look like to not learn of evil?
  • There are people out there who know understand all the dirty jokes, all the bad movies, all the worst games... The idea here is that you don't need to know these things. Let yourself be innocent and ignorant. It is okay not to have experienced sin.

Case Studies

Pick one Case Study and be prepared to explain the study and your advice to the whole group.

Case Study 1

Henry enjoys video games and in particular games that involve driving and flying. Through advertisements and social media, Henry learned of a game that, while it had a mature rating, involved a lot of driving and flying. He decided to buy the game. After-all, he could do the driving and flying things and not really worry about the rest of the game. However, when playing the game Henry noted that there was a lot of foul language. Oh-well thought Henry, I will just ignore the language.

• In your estimation, how should Henry apply Phil 4:8?

Case Study 2

Jared is a high-school student and enjoys spending time after school with his friends Jacob and Stephen. In middle-school the three boys used to always get together at Stephen's house and play on Stephen's Switch. However, today Jacob and Stephen have pulled up inappropriate images on Stephen's computer.

• What should Jared do?

Case Study 3

Susan was invited over to Janet's house for a slumber party. The party has been going well but now Janet has decided they should watch a movie. The movie that Janet has picked out is something that Susan knows her parents would not approve of. Susan is really uncomfortable but all of her friends want to watch the movie.

• How should Susan respond?

Conclusion (All Together/Post Small Groups 10 minutes)

Have each group explain their case studies.

Matthew 11:28–30

• What does Jesus offer to each of us?
  • Rest! When we think of entertainment we are often thinking of something like rest, or a break.

• So what is the burden we bear?
  • The burden of sin an the consequences of sin.

• What does Jesus say we should do to enjoy the rest he offers?
  • Jesus commands us to take his yoke.

• What is Jesus alluding to when he says that his yoke is easy?
  • Rather than working so hard to please God we can take comfort in Christ.

• So what does this have to do with entertainment?
  • We should find rest in Christ and the freedom he offers. This does not mean that every form of entertainment we watch must be a Christian cartoon but rather that we can enjoy wholesome entertainment because of the freedom we have in Christ. Our joy comes from Christ and that joy involves enjoyment of the art (entertainment) that others have created.