Opener
“What are some of your favorite movies, TV shows, video games, and songs? Why?”
Prompts if no response: Provide some of your favorites, and list some of theirs you know they like.
Discussion question 1:
What are some forms of entertainment that God is probably pleased with?
Prompts if no response: Movies with an encouraging or inspiring story or message; TV shows with clean comedy that makes us laugh; video games that challenge our mind with puzzles and new learning; beautiful music that gets us moving for exercise or relaxes us.
Discussion question 2:
What are some forms of entertainment that God is probably displeased with?
Prompts if no response: Profanity and dark, depressing words in music; cruelty, extra violence, or immodesty in movies or video games; TV shows that make something evil look good, such as realistic depictions of the occult or “black magic” or immorality); turning entertainment into an idol.
Discussion question 3:
God tells us not to look at wicked or worthless things. Why would God want us to be careful about what we watch or listen to?
Prompts if no response: Seeing lots of fake violence might make us insensitive to real-life violence; listening to lots of profanity might make us start saying it ourselves; spending too much time entertaining ourselves might make us less likely to connect with our friends and family or get depressed.
Hypothetical 1:
What would you think or say if you heard this: “Movies, TV, video games, and music are evil.”
Prompts if no response: Evil entertainment is evil; we have to be picky, yes, but not all entertainment is the same.
Hypothetical 2:
What would you say if you were told: “Come on! It’s just a ________ (song/movie/tv show/video game). It can’t hurt you. It’s not like you are really doing something wrong.”
Prompts if no response: I don’t want that in my mind; that is purposefully trying to make evil look good, and good look evil; it is a waste of time when I could be doing something productive.
Closer
What are some alternatives to isolated screen time or entertainment just for yourself?”
Prompts if no response: calling a friend on the phone, going for a walk with the family….
Scriptures for more study or reference
Psalm 101:3; Psalm 119:37; Isaiah 5:20; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:21-22; 2 Timothy 2:22
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