Skip to content

My Digital Witness

Home|My Digital Witness

The Digital Conversation Pledge

In our increasingly digital world, I recognize that how I use my digital voice matters more and more every day.

And because I want to use this important and unique voice of mine in a way that pleases God, lifts others up, and makes a real difference in this world, I pledge:

  • I will pay attention to my digital voice.
  • I will lift others up.
  • I will be gentle, not harsh.
  • I will look for holy moments.
  • I will connect with new people.
  • I will bless my enemies.
  • I will relate wisely with those who don’t share my faith.

Downloadable Version

Resources

*from Lutheran Hour Ministries

The Power of What You Post

We all have a digital voice. Whether we want to or not, we live in an increasingly interconnected world, where life continues to speed up and spread out. No matter if you have a following of 50 or 500,000, your digital voice has power. If you add up all your emails, posts, comments, texts, likes, and shares, your digital words pack a punch. The digital world is real. What we post and share matters. God’s Word reminds us that our speech — spoken or typed, video or audio — has the power to stir up strife, discord, and anger OR to uplift, strengthen, and bring peace. How might we use our digital voice to honor God and bring life and peace to our neighbor? Proverbs 16:10-32, James 3:2-18

Discussion Questions:

  • How have you used your digital voice in the past, and what results have you seen from it?
  • How have you been impacted by others’ digital voices? Do any negative or positive experiences stand out?
  • Read James 3:9. What are some of the ways we use our digital voice to curse others?
  • When do you find it most difficult to tame the tongue and control your words online?
  • How can you use your digital voice to bring peace instead of contributing to division or polarization?
  • What’s one practical way you can steward your digital voice to bless others this week?
My Digital Witness Part 1

Godly Speech in Digital Conflict

We have all been there. One of your friends — someone you like, someone you have fond memories with, or even a family member — posts something controversial online. And that’s just the beginning. Then come the comments. Conflict ensues. Far from inconsequential, the posts, and the quarrels that follow can ruin relationships, tarnish reputations and tear apart communities. How should we respond? Martin Luther’s explanation of  the 8th Commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16) in the Small Catechism states: “We should fear and love God so that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, think and speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.” How might you best steward your digital voice so that you do not betray, slander, or hurt others, but build up, speak well, and put the best construction on everything? 2 Samuel 15:1-6, James 4:1-12

Discussion Questions:

  • What controversial topics or issues rile up your friends or loved ones?
  • Have you ever felt slandered or attacked for sharing your opinion online?
  • How or when have you decided to enter a heated comments section?
  • Read James 4:1. What might be the “desires that battle within you” as you engage in contentious dialogue online?
  • Based on the sermon, what would you do differently? How might you redeem an online discussion to create warmth and welcome?
  • How can you know when to exit an online discussion so you don’t tear others down?

Cutting Through the Digital Noise

We live in a digitalized world where people can get lost in a sea of spiritual offerings, overwhelmed by overstimulation, crushed by consumerism, or left by the wayside in the midst of a multicultural milieu. How can we use our voice to cut through the noise? While we can feel confused and crushed by all the words whirling around us in a digitalized age, God’s Word speaks over the chaos and confusion. It cuts through the noise to bring life and light, joy and fellowship. God’s Word calls us to this Word of Life and calls us to use our words to create community with others. How do we have open and honest conversations about life, faith, and the God of all things with family and friends, people far away and next door? In a world defined by diversity, difference, and deep divisions, how do we create spaces where people can be heard and respected — a place to believe and belong? Genesis 1-2, 1 John 1:1-4

Discussion Questions:

  • In the age of “digital Babel,” where have you seen the internet cause confusion and information overload?
  • There’s a difference between disagreeing with someone online versus in person. What changes with the in-person experience?
  • How can you help create this in-person difference while engaging with people online?
  • Read 1 John 1:3. Proclaiming the Word is tied to extending fellowship to others. How might you cultivate authentic fellowship in the digital spaces you visit?
  • What’s one practical way to use your digital voice to bring life and light to online spaces?