In Home Discipleship Formation
2022 February
Theme: Online Safety

Opening Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross +

Dear Lord, give us your protection as we use the Internet.
Keep us from darkness, surround us with your light.
Help us act always in love.
In the company of your angels and saints, guide our paths to sites that glorify You.
Be our timekeeper and filter.
Let us hear Your Divine call to our duties.
Guide us to evangelizing opportunities and send your Holy Spirit with the words.
Let the Godly make us stronger than the worldly. Keep us from self-indulgence and addiction.
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of technology. Forgive us for the times we have misused it.
And in all things, lead us closer to You.                    
Amen!

Introduction:

Technology is a great tool. It helps us maneuver through life at lightning speed. Technology helps us stay connected to loved ones separated by distance. Technology helps us find answers to questions instantly.  Technology makes housework, homework, and office work much easier.  However, what is our greatest blessing, can also be our greatest curse.

Catechesis:

What can be helpful can turn into dangerous if we are not careful. Technology and the internet can become a den of thieves for children if they are not well informed and have parents that are paying attention to what kids are doing on their computers. God wants us to be safe at all times. He has predestined good for us. All we need to do is follow God’s will and be open to the Holy Spirit.

Internet safety is extremely important nowadays.  Kids are spending more and more time on the internet especially since the Covid -19 pandemic began almost two years ago.  As a parent it is difficult to monitor at all times what your kids are researching on their computers.  And social media venues are appealing to kids to at younger ages. It is imperative to be open with your children about using the internet and also be aware of social media venues that your children might be on without your knowledge.

Jesse Wisnewski stated in his article, “On the one hand, (technology) has solved numerous problems around the world, it has alleviated many diseases, and it has improved the quality of life for billions of people. On the other hand, technology can be used to inflict pain and suffering, and it can lead to unintended consequences. But here’s the deal:  Technology must be redeemed for the glory of God, your good, and the good of others. 

Technology cannot be simply rejected, demonized, or even mindlessly accepted and used. For your technological usage, you need to do so discerningly, and with an open hand knowing that technology is not the solution to every problem—but it is a vehicle to share the gospel and do good for others.”

At the end of the day, we need to follow the instructions from St. Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians, “. . .whatever you do, do it for the glory of God”. Technology is a tool to be used wisely and with caution and education.

Scripture:

Read as a family Titus 2: 11-14.        

Discuss:

• • What helps us reject godless ways?
  • What was done for us in order to do what is good?

Watch:

Elementary-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HP-U-UXFns

 Discuss:

• • • Which social interactions do you notice in the video?
    • What rules do you think you should follow when playing on line video games?

Middle School/High School-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVALeerZpd4

Discuss:

• • What is the difference between active and passive use of screen time?
  •  What screen activities do you value and which do you want to cut out?

Activity:

• Click on and Watch “Five Essential Media Literacy Questions For Kids”
  
  
• Family Agreement---Read through the Family Agreement that your child/ren brought home from Discipleship Formation. On the back of the sheet, create your own family agreement and try to stay true to it for as long as possible.
  • PDF of Family Agreenment
    
    
• Chatterbox---Take the Chatterbox sheets your child/ren brought home from Discipleship Formation and follow the directions for the premade Chatterbox or get creative and make your own. Once it is complete enjoy playing with your family members.
  • PDF of Chatterbox Activity

Challenge:

Take a family selfie of a device free dinner (then put away your phone). Submit your picture to Amy Bolle at [email protected] to be posted on the St. Margaret Mary website.

Closing Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross +
Parents place a hand around your child/ren and pray the following prayer over them:

Loving Jesus, please keep my child/ren safe today.
I ask that you protect them from any harm or evil intent that would lurk close by,
or attack them while they’re unaware.
I ask you to cover them in your care and hide them in the safety of your powerful presence.
I pray that you protect their coming and going,
and to remind them that you’re always with them.
Give them alertness, spiritual discernment,
and wisdom to avoid temptation and to make the best choices.
I thank you God, that you walk ahead of them, beside them, and behind them too.
So I can trust you to always lead the way, be constantly at their side,
and to have their back too, all at the same time.                             
Amen.

Questionnaire:

Please make sure you submit your answers so your child/ren can be marked present for this session.