Is That Show Good for Me?
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions. 2 Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense. 3 Beg as loud as you can for good common sense. 4 Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. 5 Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the God.
Proverbs 2:1-5
Memory Verse
Philippians 1:9-10
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing and you will fully know and understand 10 how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day,
Did you know that the Bible tells us to focus on things that are “true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper” (Philippians 4:8)? But have you ever wondered how you can tell if something is good for you? Maybe there are TV shows you can watch that your friends aren’t allowed to. Or maybe your friends have video games that they can play that your parents have said “no” to.
While you can ask your parents for help discerning or deciding whether or not something is good, you can also think about the answer to these helpful questions about the video game, book, song, or movie:
How is the story similar to or different from God’s story in the Bible?
Does it show us a character who needs help from others?
Does it celebrate something we know to be evil?
Does it remind us that we need God’s love? Just remember that a story can do that without specifically mentioning God.
Does it make you act differently after watching it? For example, are you nicer or angrier to your sibling when they get upset?
Proverbs 2:4-5 reminds us to “Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the Lord God.” So this week, when you’re enjoying a game or a movie, see if you can hunt for the hidden treasure in it and learn how that story can bring you closer to God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us tools to see if our entertainment honors you. Please help us remember to hunt for hidden treasure and take the time to discern whether or not what we are watching, reading, hearing, or playing is true, pure, right, and holy. Amen.Related Resources
Christina Van Starkenburg
Christina Van Starkenburg is an award-winning freelance writer and author of The Key Thief and One Tiny Turtle: A Story You Can Colour. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and exploring the world with her husband and three kids. Visit her at www.christinavanstarkenburg.com to read more.