Sketcy Socials
Q: My mom doesn’t want me to have Snapchat because she thinks I can turn off my location (which you can't). But it’s the only way to communicate with some of my friends. Is it a sin if I have it? I use it to minister.
I know it's definitely a place to use caution. But I use snap to send out stuff for personal bible studies. And I find that most people I witness to are willing to give me their snap, so it provides a follow up on people I reach with the gospel.
A: From what I’ve seen and heard Snapchat and Omogle were designed to do sinful sneaky things. The disappearing photos function [and the functionality was updated for alerting if screenshoted was made to send nudes so that people could feel more comfortable sending them, but they're still sending them!]. For young people using it can lead to a lot of bad things.
The thing is it does let people be sneaky. It does let you see others stuff [their sneaky and sinful stuff], so that and predators and groomers and sexually depraved others on there can do wicked things and entice others to join their depravity. A very giant dangerous cesspool for those under age, even those under 30 tbh!
My curiosity and concern would be why arent those friends on other social media? They could get facebook for communicating. Are they not Christian and are hiding stuff from their parents and living wrongly on there?
My suggestion would be :
Have a sit down with your family to discuss. Create an agenda of points to discuss & a policy of usage. Something like this:
Using it to minister to those in your friend circle. Explain what you only post.
Policy:
* You will add Covenant Eyes to your internet/phone/socials so your parents can monitor it
*You will give your mom your acct & password so she can look at anything anytime.
*You will add an acct for your mom and follow her so she can get share alerts.
* You wont follow boys or anyone lgbt+
*You wont friend anyone or stay friends with anyone online that you dont know and will unfriend them there if they send explicit images or messages or posts.
*You will do the same with irl friends you follow there. But if issue arises you have actual chat w them about the inappropriate thing you saw [craft a statement w your parents on what to say so it is kind but firm, and note you care about your friendship but also need to honor God in what you look st], and use it as a warning. If they do it again, let them know you can't continue to follow them online but look forward to going to lunch.
> if they arent a Christian and you are trying to minister, get a bit of advice from family and church leader on how to proceed in this situation. And know that we cannot always minister long term to people. We need to dust our feet off and let God send others their way too. You did your part and if you need to end the friendship and socialization with them then so be it.
- If you are with other friends and this person comes along, just be kind but dont befriend again.
> if it is someone claiming to be a believer, and are acting like not a believer, craft responses w your parents to address it biblically, any godly believer should be grateful someone saw and addressed something that was wrong so they can correct themselves. Growth and maturity in the faith happen over time.
- if they persistently ignore the godly correction & advice then Scripture says we are to treat them as an unsaved person and not fellowship w them [cuz their behavior will be sen as acceptable when it is slandering Christianity and Christ]. Have an exit plan [and message wording] for such relationship situations also. But be kind about it but firm too.
As far as the witnessing, it's fantastic that you are doing that and have a heart to reach the lost.
The only concerns, which I would also put into the policy, are
Put the policy in writing, and all sign it.
Post it on the fridge or somewhere.
> However the "wordings" info should be kept elsewhere so friends dont see it when they visit. Perhaps have your mom keep it in her closet or a place you can ask her for it. And do the messaging stuff around that, at home with your mom in the loop and you sending it with her there. Then pray over it tooooo. Every time you need to do it.
Include penalties in the policy so she is confident you will, under supervision, use it rightly and responsibly.
And as far as connecting with unsaved people you witness to, they'll likely be focused on thinking you use snap cuz you are not a godly Christian but using it for ulterior reasons, since that app has that stigma, and that they hope to hook up with you now or in the future.
Instead of offering them to follow you on snap, give them a tract with your church info or another local church (so they dont stalk you!), and if they need a number [get permission👉] share your youth leaders phone number, and leave it at that. 🌟If God is drawing them to Christ... they will eventually get saved and join a church. I know you hope to minister further with them, but it is unnecessary.
1. You shared the Gospel.
2. If they get saved, a local church will discipleship them.
Ensure that is part of the policy..
* you will not share your socials or phone number with anyone you witness to or meet.
If you witness to someone who seems a bit creepy, just give them one of these, [quickly thank them for the chat and walk away] and move on. 😬. Predators are everywhere esp towards teens. Even if others are with you.
Outside of school, do not go witnessing alone, Scripture policy is to go in groups of 2 or 3. It is for safety, and legal protection. Other benefits: one can pray silently during the chat and the other one can help with faq and redirect the convo to the gospel. So, when you go witnessing, do so with parents around, or others from the youth group [same gender]. And have a specific drop off, pick up and time frame, but also stay at the location you plan to be at that day. And do a check in or two w your parents. And you all must stay together, bathroom break or not.
You can still minister, but do it a bit more cautiously and with supervision, and all will go well.
However if your mom thinks all of this is just too much time to monitor and effort to out in, then honor her as your parent and obey her "No Snapchat" rule.
God will guide you to opportunities to share the gospel in daily life, online elsewhere, and later as an adult.
You can find ways to share the gospel on other social media like facebook and minister to folks in young people groups there. And in your youth group, and join your church outreach program [or push the youth leader for one, at least 1x a onth if not every Sunday]. And remember, always in pairs of 2 and same gender. And do things cautiously and wisely.
Hope this helps 🙂😊
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