Tomorrow starts my 2nd Adult Bible study on Social Networking.  Last fall I did a Bible Study on Social Networking and how we can use the tools to grow our Church.  For this new Bible study, instead of doing the exact same thing as before, I decided to add the 2.0 to the end of the name.  Instead of me talking and preaching and answering a lot of questions, I am going get them into our computer lab, I am going to have them sign up for the different services we are talking about and actually use it.  I only have 4 weeks this time around, so I need to get a lot done in a short amount of time.

Below is a quick view of what we talked about last time and what we will quickly cover this time.

• What is Evangelism?

• What is Social Networking?

• Why should we combine the two?

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What is Evangelism? (Apologetics)

1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)

15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Why is it hard for Christians to Share their faith?

What is social networking?

Connections!

Can Christians find a home in this secular world of Social Networking Sites?

We help unite the body of Christ by allowing you to connect with other Christians, Share the Gospel & grow in your relationships – ALL for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ as the Premier Social Networker
His command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations…” ( Matthew 28:19 NIV) accomplished what today’s
social networks on the Internet may never approach.
His network, the Christian Church, developed through word of mouth by men who risked imprisonment and death to deliver his message of love, hope, and forgiveness. He asked nothing in return but encouraged adherence to the principles he taught, which include love and forgiveness:

• 1. “Love as I have loved you”
• 2. “Forgive as I have forgiven you.”

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Facebook and Myspace are Mission Fields?

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A perfect mission field?

If we were going to design the perfect mission field, here is what it might look like:

1. It would be filled with millions of unsaved and accessible youth and young adults.
2. It would be a place where people openly, regularly, and publicly share their opinions, thoughts, feelings, concerns, fears, and needs without anyone asking them to.
3. It would be a place where people connect with other people in community, and people like and expect to meet new people.
4. It would be a place where many people provide a picture and a little information about themselves so you can know a little about them before you communicate with them.
5. It would be a place where it is okay to be creative, different, and to just be you.
6. It would be a place where people openly debate, discuss, and exchange ideas including spiritual matters.
7. It would be a place where people like to go and hang out. It would be fun, sometimes silly, and people would smile and laugh.
8. It would be a place that is very close to our home so we could get there quickly when we have some time, and getting there would not require immunizations, or passports, or plane trips. And it would all be free.

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Why Do we need to have a presence?

Cyberfaith – Pew Internet Project

• —“25% used the Internet for religious information (+3 million a day)
• —41% received email prayer requests
• —23% seeking information about Islam after 9/11
• —67% accessed information about their own faith.
• —50% have sought information about other faiths.
• —53% concerned that the Internet amplifies the voice of the religious fringe
• —64% think it is easier to get religious information online.

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Tweet Tweet (Twitter and Bloggers)

How can Twitter be used as a tool besides telling others what we ate for lunch

Get your twitter mosaic here.

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Bloggers

http://lutheranblogs.blogspot.com/

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Second Life and Online Churches

Is Online Community Biblical?

Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us to “not neglect meeting together, as some in the habit of doing, but encourage one another.”

Online church is like fast food ~ http://blog.ourchurch.com/2009/07/09/online-church-spiritual-fast-food/
1) It lacks essential nutrients. Burgers and fries lack a lot of important vitamins and minerals you can only get through fresh fruits and vegetables. Similarly online church lacks a lot of important spiritual nourishment you can only get in healthy community with other people.
2) It’s processed. Fast food is processed with chemicals and preservatives. Similarly online church is produced. There’s little room for natural, organic moves of the Holy Spirit.
3) You get it your way. With fast food, you always get your meal the way you want it. Same is true for online church. It feeds the consumerism mentality prevalent in our culture that says I’m in it as long as it meets my needs. Healthy churches have mutual commitment where people participate out of love for each other rather than one they get out of it.
4) Little effort is required. If you want fast food, you just go through the closest drive through. They do everything for you. If you want online church, it’s the same deal. There’s little effort required, just show up and consume your spiritual meal. Healthy church involves not just feeding yourself, but feeding (serving) others.
Fast food is not all bad
If you haven’t eaten for days, getting your hands on a Big Mac and McFries is a good thing. It will prevent you from starving. It will save your life. Similarly, if a person is spiritually starving online church can be a lifesaver. Many people have come to trust in Jesus as their savior because of God’s work through online churches.
If you are physically unable to prepare a meal, a bucket of KFC can provide you with nourishment. Similarly, if you are physically unable to be a part of a local church community, an online church can carry you through with spiritual nourishment
In fact, it’s probably OK to have tacos or fried chicken or some other fast food 2 or 3 times a week your entire life, as long you’re getting healthier foods at other times. Similarly, there’s bad about online church as a part of a healthy diet that also includes community and serving in other settings.
But you wouldn’t advocate a diet consisting exclusively of fast food for the rest of a person’s life, would you?
Likewise I don’t think it’s healthy for anyone if their spiritual diet consists exclusively of online church.
Agree? Disagree?

The first time I did it I tried to Stream it live, not sure how it went, but I will try again this time.

Pray that everything will go well.  The first time I had a good group of people, ranging from never used a computer to proficient enough.  My biggest fear actually having them try the services is trying to teach them how to turn on a computer… Teaching Students these skills are hard enough, teaching adults will be worse!