FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OSAWATOMIECHRISTIAN EDUCATION – SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON PLAN OUTLINE

Instructor : Molli Chitwood and Joe Lilley Grade Level: high schoolDate: lesson 1 Approx. length: 50 minutesSchool:First Presbyterian of Osawatomie Sunday School Subject: Texting and communication

Title: Hex In the Text

Unit Goal: The goal is to raise young people’s awareness as they manage their feelings and relationships through the technology of texting.

WHAT IS (ARE) THE LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S) FOR THIS LESSON?

The learning objective for this lesson is the consideration of significant facts of texting and teens as well as beginning the study of James 3. The exposure to facts as well as the bible study will reinforce the theme of wisdom and the current culture of texting.

WHAT MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO TEACH THIS LESSON?

Each youth will need a cell phone Will need a teacher with texting abilitiesFact sheetBible Study sheet for James

WHAT QUESTIONS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED DURING THE LESSON?There is a survey that will serve as background for the teacher and the building of curriculum. From here on, write as if you are talking to the children/students.

Scripture for the Texting CurriculumProverbs 10:20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; Proverbs 12:18 “Rash words are like swords thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.”James 3: all verses – tongue and wisdom

FOCUSING EVENT (BASED ON THE PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS AND/OR KNOWLEDGE)

Introductions –have each high school student introduce themselves to Molli – nametags would be helpful for this first Sunday.

Help the leader build a group text that includes all participants.

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Sharing the Facts sheet – have each youth read a fact and then have the teens rate the fact as true / false or don’t know.

PURPOSE (THE “WHY” OF THE LESSON)

This lesson assumes that the rage of texting is something that is done often but not often thought about. The fact sheet is meant to raise awareness and provide different dimensions of texting that can allow youth to think critically about it.

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

An important part of this January Sunday School class is to help youth understand texting as a form of communication and communication as way that we express our faith and feel enriched as a person.

To be a person who texts means that you will be managing a rich combination of feelings, relationships and communication skills. We want to add wisdom to this mix so that we have feelings that we have managed well, relationships that are strong and communication that is not misunderstood.

While the bible does not talk about texting, it does talk about the tongue and communication.Have one or two youth read chapter three of the New Testament book of James. (see the bible study page on James 3)

GUIDED CONVERSATION

Have you had experiences when a small word sent your day in an entirely different direction?Have you had the experience that even when you knew you should not say something that you said it anyway and brought memorable consequences?

CLOSURE/WRAP-UP (ENDING THE LESSON)Leader sends a text to the group that reads this way: “Rash words are like swords thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

REVIEW, EVALUATE, AND REFLECT

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Appendix 1 January 2nd

FACTS SHEET for TEENS AND TEXTING

1. Who do you think are heavier texters? A. Boys b. girls

2. The use of text messaging is up from 51% in 2006 to 72 % of all teens in 2009. How many texts do you believe teens receive a day?a. 50 a day b. 150 a day c. 500 a dayd. 1000 a day

3. What is the percentage of teens who say that they have been in a car when the driver was texting? a. 30 percentb. 100 percentc. 48 percentd. 0 percent

4. While school often ban cell phone use, what percentage of teens bring those phones to school with them anyway?

a. 20 percentb. 14 percentc. 65 percentd. 100 percent

5. What activity ranks the highest on the cell phonea. Taking picturesb. Sharing photosc. Playing musicd. Playing gamese. Exchanging videos

6. What is it called when teens use texting to have more control over their communication? a. Strategically ambiguousb. Screening their callsc. Staying connectedd. Unlimited call plans

7. What are some of the conditions that adults worry are symptomatic of too much texting?a. Anxietyb. Distraction in schoolc. Failing gradesd. Repetitive stress injurye. Sleep deprivationf. All of the above

8. In Orange County California, a young person’s text messaging went out of control. How many text messages did she rack up in one month?

a. 20,005b. 14, 528c. 10,015d. 5,280

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9. When this young person’s parents found out theya. Took her phone awayb. Began to check her messagesc. Sent out a mass email that said “Leave my daughter alone!”d. Did not allow her to text between 9 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

10. When parents arrive to pick up kids from sporting or extracurricular events and kids find them on the cell phone or texting, the kids response is:

a. “Way to go mom or dad – glad you are in the 21st century!”b. “Can you I borrow your phone when you are done”c. Ask who they were texting or talking to. d. They are mostly quiet and report being disappointed that their parents are not 100%

focused on them.

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Answers: 1. b2. b3. c4. c5. 83% photos/ 64 % shared photos / 60% played music / 46% played games / 32% exchanged videos6. a7. f8. b9. d10. d

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Appendix 2 January 2nd

James 3 Study High LightsPropensity for mistakes verses 1-2Teachers were held in very high regard in the ancient world. They were given great seats at banquets and choice seats in the synagogue. Powerful people wanted a teaching role. So it is somewhat of a surprise here that teachers would be allowed mistakes or otherwise lumped in with the rest of the population.

Questions: How are teachers regarded today? What makes a good teacher vs. a “bad” teacher? If teachers are not held in high regard today, why do you think people go into the profession?

Horses and ships 3-5aThe smallness of a word is what we are to consider here – have we ever used the smallest word and it had great consequences? Sometimes an otherwise harmless word with a certain tone becomes toxic or at least damaging.

Questions:

Forest fire verses 5b- 6A forest fire might be likened to the way news travels when the tongue and communication are up to no good. Do you remember the last time that news traveled very fast? (They may remember the death of Nathan Stiles on the Osawatomie football field).

Question: You kinda got this one in there already with the last sentence.

The word “hell” actually translates Gehenna in the greek. Gehenna was an enormous city dump just outside Jerusalem. In order to control the trash, they would burn it down and there was so much trash that it was on fire all the time. This is where some of our imagery of a firey hell comes from. This gives new meaning to the term “trash talk”.

Questions: When does being proud of an achievement turn into being boastful? Can trash talk sometimes be a good thing?

Taming of Beasts and Reality of Creation verses 7 – 12Taming the human being is difficult because they are given this extraordinary skill of communication. Additionally, the spring asks us to consider the source from which all our communication flows. It is almost like asking us to consider that if we are involved in awful communication that what does that say about our heart or our mind.

Questions: What is more important, how someone acts or what they say? Can a person say mean things, but do good things, and be considered “ok”? Can a person say nice things, but do mean things, and be acceptable? Which person would you most likely want to be with?

Good communication verses 13-18This section indicates that it is our inner state that allows us to be excellent communicators with our friends, family, co-workers and teammates. By thinking and talking together in this class we hope to attend to our inner state of emotions and thoughts so that we can get the most out of texting.

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Questions: “Sticks and stones…”: is it easy to let words not hurt us and to let things slide? Do we think about the lasting effect of our words, whether written, typed or texted? What is a compliment that you have received that you have never forgotten? When were you hurt by words that still haunt you?

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OSAWATOMIECHRISTIAN EDUCATION – SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON PLAN OUTLINE

Instructor : Molli Chitwood and Joe Lilley Grade Level: high schoolDate: lesson 2 Approx. length: 50 minutesSchool:First Presbyterian of Osawatomie Sunday School Subject: Texting and communication

Title: Hex In the Text

Unit Goal: The goal is to raise young people’s awareness that texting affects the body and that the body affects texting.

WHAT IS (ARE) THE LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S) FOR THIS LESSON?

The learning objective for this lesson is the consideration of the mind body connection and the demands that texting places on it.

WHAT MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO TEACH THIS LESSON?

Each youth will need a cell phone Will need a teacher with texting abilitiesBody Basics QuizBible Hex In the Text blog entry by Rev. King

WHAT QUESTIONS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED DURING THE LESSON?There is a survey that will serve as background for the teacher and the building of curriculum. From here on, write as if you are talking to the children/students.

Scripture for the Texting CurriculumProverbs 10:20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; Proverbs 12:18 “Rash words are like swords thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.”James 3: all verses – tongue and wisdom

FOCUSING EVENT (BASED ON THE PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS AND/OR KNOWLEDGE)

Introductions –/ attendance

Add any new arrivals to the group text.

Open with prayer

PURPOSE (THE “WHY” OF THE LESSON)

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This lesson seeks to have the youth think intentionally about their own embodiment (bodies) and the technology of the cell phone. When youth think intentionally about the relationship between their body and the cell phone they will be asked to consider that their body was made by God and therein operates with wisdom. The wisdom of what their body needs and how it works can inform how they interact with texting and cell phone so that they are powerful and loving people.

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

Extend an arm to the side of the body holding a cell phone. Invite the class to notice that you are joined or connected to your cell. Ask the class how often they believe their hold their cell phones in a day. Then draw a rough human body on the whiteboard with a hand extended and holding acell phone. Ask the kids to draw all the parts of the body that are affected when the hand holds the cell phone. Some answers might include: skin touches metal….messages of the cell affect the brain…the cell phone draws the attention of our eyes…the mouth moves….maybe the body moves to a new destination…etc.

Have one or two members of the class read 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 and its words that the body is a deeply connected system.

GUIDED CONVERSATION

Ask the youth to consider the body as a system that is affected by texting. When they think about the systems of the body what are they? (nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system….just let them brain storm)

Offer them the idea that because the body is created by God we should consider the wisdom of what keeps the body healthy and functioning as we Tell that them of all the systems in the body this morning we are going to focus on three ways that the body works: 1. Hard wired (have them brainstorm what this might mean)2. Chemically triggered (again brainstorm)3. Cautiously open to the world (again brainstorm)

Teaching points from the text post can be given at this point….on synapses, serotonin and skin layers.

As you do the teaching points or perhaps after, ask the youth applications questions that can lead them to similar conclusions to the blog Body Basic rules.

1. If the body needs rich nutrients to keep synaptic channels open and working, what does this tell us about the kind of information that we should be sending out with our texts? (FYI – quite interesting there are phones called synapse phones!)

2. If we need a balance of serotonin in order to not get overwhelmed in our bodies, what does this tell us about how we need to react when our texting triggers a strong reaction within us?

3. If our skin makes decisions about what to let out and what to let into our inner life, what does this tell us about how we should handle the texts that arrive to us?

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CLOSURE/WRAP-UP (ENDING THE LESSON)Leader sends a text to the group that reads this way: 1 Corinthians 12:26 “If one member suffers , all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.”

REVIEW, EVALUATE, AND REFLECT

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Appendix 1 January 9th

Body Basics1. What would be an example of the way that body is hard wired?

a. synapses and neuronsb. finger into an electrical outletc. hormone levels in the bodyd. habits and routines that we do not want to give up

2. What would be an example of the way that the body is naturally, chemically triggered? a. hormone levels in the bodyb. a cattle prod to the foreheadc. consumption of alcohold. medication administered by iv or orally.

3. What would be an example of the way that the body is both protective and receptive? a. our senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing)b. our skinc. both of the above

4. What does the brain need in order to thrive physicallya. constant stimulationb. lots of fat so that our brain is well insulatedc. vitamins and mineralsd. prayer

5. Our brains consume how much of our energy even when we are resting? a. 10%b. 15%c. 20-30%d. nothing ….we’re resting!

6. Neurotransmitters influence what part of our human experience?a. moodb. sleep patternsc. thinkingd. all of the above

7. If we do not get enough nourishment how could that affect our brain? a. constant sleepb. dehydrationc. nerve damaged. non stop silliness and hyperactivity

8. Serotonin is balanced with which chemical to produce well-being in our bodya. rubbing alcoholb. pepsic. dopamined. testosterone

9. The Skin is also known as a. epidural

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b. casingc. epidermisd. pelt

10. The skin’s function is A. To be porous and receive the external environmentb. to send antibodies and defend the body from the external environmentc. to regenerate and growd. all of the above

Answers: 1. a2.a3. c4. c5. c6. d7. c8. c9. c10. d

1 Corinthians 12 highlights More than specifics the general idea is how the body messages across its different parts unifying it as a whole. One could playfully say that the body is the first messaging device. Our human experience is diminished if we ignore parts of our body’s messaging wisdom as we engage the outside world.

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Appendix 2 January 9th

HEX In the TEXT blog post January 5th, 2011

Texting is a challenge to the human experience.  It challenges us to be articulate without our full communication arsenal at our disposal.  It challenges us to be brief and agile in our response time.  Texting challenges us to feel connected and yet be balanced in our solitude.  The High School Sunday School class at First Presbyterian Church of Osawatomie is studying texting in detail over the next four weeks.  This week, they will consider texting and the body. 

This subject is important because the state of our body influences our ability to communicate and text well and faithfully.  The subject is also important because the mechanics of texting makes great demands on our body.  The interdependence of the body and technology is remarkable.  Texting is just another part of the reality that we human beings are both organic and mechanistic.  Replaced knees, hearing aids, pacemakers, eyeglasses were earlier ways we enhanced our body joining it to technology.  Such a partnership, we found, could greatly enrich life.  When our body was aided, our psyches were released and more open to experiencing life.    

As a person of the Christian   faith , scripture and tradition instruct me that my body was the design of the Ultimate Source of Creativity, God.  The hand-held device by which I text is a secondary creation even as it is full of wonder.  So, when I think about this partnership and how to manage it, I want to draw on the wisdom of the primary creation in order to guide my behavior and decisions.  In other words, using these fundamental observations regarding God’s design of the human body, how shall I be a person who texts faithfully?  

What shall we say of the body and the technology of texting?  We might begin by saying that our body is itself, a messaging system.  The body is hardwired, chemically triggered and a cautious receptor of the external environment.

 The body is hardwired in countless ways but perhaps the most fundamental of connections would be the synapse within our nervous system.   The synapses are both chemical and electric and are the means by which neurons (cells with a message) make their way to target cells that need their message.   Our body and brain’s hardwiring needs excellent nutrition in order to stay functional.   

So too, our texting needs to be of a quality that it enriches and nourishes other people’s lives and potential.  Of course there will be lots of pragmatic texts but I have also heard of texting that is sent in order to remind human beings  of their potential and their contributions.  Like food for thought to the brain, texting can empower the living of other human beings.

The body is chemically triggered in countless ways, but  a chemical of particular interest of the human being is the chemical serotonin.  This chemical performs a great many functions within the body which includes the working of all sorts of muscles.  Properly balanced, serotonin allows for experience of happiness and satisfaction.  Out of balance and the human being can

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suffer from depression.  It is thought that protein rich diet, B-6 and daily exercise a healthy amount of serotonin in the body.   

Texting can trigger a chemical response within the human being.  Texts can trigger, excite, alarm us.  Because texting increases the amount of information that comes our way and affects the chemical reactions within our body, the wisdom of balance as discovered in research on serotonin becomes an important clue in texting faithfully.   We must balance anxiety with a calm responsiveness.  Not unlike Jesus stilling the storm for worried disciples.  We must balance alarm with a clarity of mind and strategic response.  Not unlike Jesus’ response when he is arrested in Gethsemane.  We must balance our anger or fear with a trust and confidence.  Jesus is remembered as saying,  “Forgive them for they know not what they do” from the cross.  If we do this…communication will less likely go haywire and relationships strengthened and individuals more resilient.

The body is a receptor of external information without being completely vulnerable to the exterior world.  Of course, our skin serves this most basic function.  It is sensitive to the outside world while simultaneously filtering and protecting the body from infectious and hazardous elements.  The skin can receive hydration gratefully one minute and detect an infection that needs to be fought off in the next.  Decisions, decisions.  So that even when our phone receives text messages, it is important to remember that we are not our phone.  We do not have to take in the messages that are received.  We can make decisions  to receive or reject all for the welfare and strength of our human pilgrimage.

So, somewhat playfully, this week we will offer our teens three body basic rules for texting:

1.  HARD WIRED RULE – I will remember my body does get tired and depleted.  When I am depleted and tired, I am not at my best to communicate in a faithful way.  I will let my phone charge while I take in lots of vitamins, minerals and rest.

2.  CHEMICAL RULE – I will remember that balance is the key to feeling good.  I will not overindulge in gossip, negativity or worry when I text.  Occasionally, I will move beyond passive texting and offer “food for thought” to those I love and care about.

3.  SKIN DEEP RULE – I will remember that I can receive information without taking it all to my innermost places of mind and heart.  When I am confused by others communication, I will take time to think before I vent to another person or fire off a quick response.  When I receive hurtful information, I will manage it before it makes its way too far into my heart and mind. When I receive important information that is painful, I will find a way to take it into my system so that I am stronger and more resilient. 

Perhaps with such rules, we will feel less like triggered cyborgs driven by our devices and more like thoughtful human beings whose faith will be known despite any hex in the text.

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OSAWATOMIECHRISTIAN EDUCATION – SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON PLAN OUTLINE

Instructor : Joe Lilley Grade Level: high schoolDate: lesson three Approx. length: 50 minutesSchool:First Presbyterian of Osawatomie Sunday School Subject: Texting and communication

Title: Hex In the Text

Unit Goal: The goal is to raise young people’s awareness about texting’s emotional triggers. Direction about how to manage feelings and emotions before texting them.

WHAT IS (ARE) THE LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S) FOR THIS LESSON?

The learning objective for this lesson is the consideration of the mind body connection and the demands that texting places on it.

WHAT MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO TEACH THIS LESSON?

Each youth will need a cell phone Will need a teacher with texting abilitiesBible

WHAT QUESTIONS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED DURING THE LESSON?There is a survey that will serve as background for the teacher and the building of curriculum. From here on, write as if you are talking to the children/students.

Scripture for the Texting CurriculumProverbs 10:20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; Proverbs 12:18 “Rash words are like swords thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.”James 3: all verses – tongue and wisdom

FOCUSING EVENT (BASED ON THE PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS AND/OR KNOWLEDGE)

Introductions –/ attendance

Add any new arrivals to the group text.

Open with prayer

PURPOSE (THE “WHY” OF THE LESSON)

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This lesson seeks to have the youth understand feelings and emotions as “first messengers” in their faith. While feelings and emotions are first messengers, they are often not the messages that we need to react to. Indeed, if we do react to our feelings and emotions first, we find ourselves in more trouble than we would like to be.

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

Opener – using appendix one draw some emoticons on the board and see if the kids can correctly identify them. There may be some that are not in appendix one – let them offer an emoticon to see if the class knows it. If you want to provide them a copy of the emoticon list for them to take home.

Ask the kids to consider what they remember from last week’s lesson about the body. (I.e. – hardwired – synapses, chemically triggered – serotonin and cautiously open – skin). This week the class will focus on the emotions that can be a result of texting and can, in turn cause us to text.

Consider Positive Emotional cycle of texting

Consider Negative emotional cycle of texting:

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Receipt of a text message

Good or neutral message

comfortable or positive emotional

response

Likely to send another positive

message

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GUIDED CONVERSATION

1. If you were to consider the number of texts in a day how many would you say are a. positiveb. neutralc. hurtful without intentiond. hurtful with intention.

2. Read Romans 14:13-18

Explain that the issue getting in the way of relationships is food. There were strict rules about what to eat and what not to eat. If you can consider this passage with a different issue at hand…the issue of texting. Here is a rewrite of the text

Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another. But resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that no communication is total malice in itself; but it is malicious for anyone who thinks it to be such. If your brother or sister is being injured by what you text, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you text cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not the texts we send but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Discussion questions1. Is it possible that we make problems worse when we receive a hurtful text message?2. What would be an example of causing another person to stumble through texting?3. When the passage talks about the Kingdom of God being righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit how does that inform our attitude no matter the texts we receive? (sometimes, though we are hurt or confused we assume the best and move forward to empower other people). 4. How is it possible to use text messaging for upbuilding?

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Receive a text message

negative or hurtful message

emotional response that is negative

likelihood that there will be some retalitation in next message you send to that person or another

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3. Consider scenario #1

Courage to have face to face communication Becky has enjoyed a wonderful friendship with Lindsey. Even though they are a year apart in school, together they have done many things and made many memories. This year, Becky has entered High School and Lindsey is left at Middle School. They enjoy texting mostly now and share news and experiences from their different schools. One weekend at a High School basketball game, Becky was with a group of her high school friends when she saw Lindsey cutting across the school yard to talk to her. Becky acted as if she didn’t see Lindsey and made her way back into the game. Becky was not quite sure why she acted this way and was a bit uncomfortable throughout the rest of the game. Becky stayed with her Middle School friends. The next Monday, Becky…feeling badly….sent a text to Lindsey “Hey, what’s up?” It has been two days and no response from Lindsey.

a. Can you understand Lindsey’s perspective? Can you understand Becky’s point of view?b. Do you think Lindsey has a right to not respond? Why or why not?c. Do you think that Becky’s decision to text is appropriate given the Friday night

episode? Why or why not? d. What do you think needs to happen for Becky and Lindsey to be reconciled? e. Who was most at fault in this texting scenario?f. Why do you think the habit of their texting was interrupted? g. have you ever sent a text message that had a negative consequence? Are you willing to

share that message?

SCENARIO #2 – Clarity of CommunicationIt is really late one night and Ted is in bed. He hears his cell phone vibrate on his night stand. (He is not supposed to even have it on at night). When he reads the text, his friend Trey is asking him a question about Math homework. Ted is pretty tired but wants to help his friend out so he sends a text message that provides the answer to the problem. Just before he falls asleep, he is second guess the answer he gave but slips off to slip. The next day at school Ted is still pretty tired but Trey is mad. Trey makes a bee-line for Ted and asks “Hey dude…you didn’t give me the wrong answer the math question! And I missed a B by one point! Dude, I needed to make a B on that test!”. Ted gets defensive and fires back sarcastically, “Trey, you could get your own answers. Sorry for being tired!”. Trey moves on down the hall to his next class clearly worried about how his going to do in his Math class. Ted wishes he had never even tried to text his friend an answer when he was so tired.

a. Why do you think both young men were so emotional? (one had felt vulnerable and tired – the other had an ultimate concern in the text – our bodily stated and our level of concern about something trigger emotions easier.)

b. How could Ted have handled things differently and still supported his friend?c. Have you ever had a situation come up when “texting when tired” caused you

problems with your friends?

CLOSURE/WRAP-UP (ENDING THE LESSON)Leader sends a text to the group that reads this way:

REVIEW, EVALUATE, AND REFLECT

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Appendix 1 - january 16th

Smiley Icon and their meaning

Icon Meaning:) Standard smile

:-) With nose

:-E Buck-tooth or Vampire

>-) Evil grin

:( Sad or frown smile

:-( Sad with nose

:-< Super sad

:P Sticking tongue out (raspberry)

(((H))) Hugs

:-X Kiss on the lips

`:-) One eyebrow raised

:^) A broken nose

:-& tongue tied

E-:-) a Ham radio operator

<:-) Uni-brow

:-> Big grin happy

(-}{-) Couple kissing

:-Q Smoking

$_$ Greedy

@@ Rolling your eyes

Icon Meaning:-# With braces

:'-) Happy Crying

{:-) Toupee smile

;) Winking smile

;-) Winking smile with nose

O:-) I'm an angel (boy)

O*-) I'm an angel (girl)

|-O Yawn

(:-D Gossip, blabbermouth

@>--;-- Rose

@-}--- Rose

())>--- Rose

=^.^= Cat

O.o Confused

C=:-) A chef

(\_/)(o.o)(___)0

A bunny

=-O "Uh-oh"

~( 8^(I) Homer Simpson

Icon Meaning:-! "Foot in mouth"

:-D Laughter

:*) Drunk smile

:@ Exclamation "What???"

:-@ Scream

:-0 Yell

%-( Confused

:-----) Long nose (Liar!)

:-.) Madonna

:-($) Put your money where your mouth is

(:I An egghead

|-O Yawning

:@) Pig smile

<(-_-)> Robot

d[-_-]b DJ with headphones

~:0 Baby

-@--@- Eyeglasses

\VVV/ King

\%%%/

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OSAWATOMIE

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON PLAN OUTLINE

Instructor : Joe Lilley and Molly Chitwood Grade Level: high schoolDate: lesson 4 Approx. length: 50 minutesSchool:First Presbyterian of Osawatomie Sunday School Subject: Texting and communication

Title: Hex In the Text

Unit Goal: The goal is to raise young people’s awareness about texting’s emotional triggers. Direction about how to manage feelings and emotions before texting them.

WHAT IS (ARE) THE LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S) FOR THIS LESSON?

The learning objective for this lesson is the consideration of the mind body connection and the demands that texting places on it.

WHAT MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO TEACH THIS LESSON?

Each youth will need a cell phone Will need a teacher with texting abilitiesBible

WHAT QUESTIONS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED DURING THE LESSON?There is a survey that will serve as background for the teacher and the building of curriculum. From here on, write as if you are talking to the children/students.

FOCUSING EVENT (BASED ON THE PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS AND/OR KNOWLEDGE)

Introductions –/ attendance

Add any new arrivals to the group text.

Open with prayer

PURPOSE (THE “WHY” OF THE LESSON)

This lesson seeks to have the youth understand the benefits of texting as expedient and playful as well as considering the pitfalls of texting during difficult times in a relationship. Difficult times in a relationship will be categorized as times when the relationships needs distance, has experienced conflict, or when the relationship has been interpreted by another. All this focuses on relationship with people. The lesson will also invite the youth to consider that they are in relationship with their phones.

DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

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Opening: Ask the kids to discuss phones that are currently on the market. What are the best ones in their opinion and why? Ask them if they pay attention to other kids phones? Is there a “contest” out there to have the coolest phone? Provide some interesting facts from the article “Attached to Technology and Paying a Price” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.htmlWrite the following questions on the board:

Do you know what a dopamine squirt is? o Answer: A primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats…like

when our phone rings or a text message comes through…we want to check it. …researchers say it can be addictive. In its absence people feel bored.

How do you think technology helps the brain?o Answers: Technology can help the brain by increasing our ability to find information and

increasing our visual acuity. Technology can give us increasing tension Some say that technology broadens our world…what do you think that means?

o allows (or demands) that we be in relationship with a wider range of people. How much more information do you think people are responsible for compared to folks int he

1960s? the same….3 times the information….. 10 times the information?o People today consume three times as much information as they did in 1960.

Did we say 1960???

Have the kids watch the clip Lonely from the Twilight Zone series.

Have the youth give their reaction to the clip.

When we consider how technology affects our relationships, we must consider that we might also have a “relationship” attachment or addiction to our cell phone!

There are important times to put some distance between us and our technology. We have talked about those times, such as being tired

There may be some youth who have gone on the high school mission trip. Ask them to share their experience of being without their technology…particularly their cell phone.

GUIDED CONVERSATION

Consider the following scenario – have one of the youth read this out loud.

Clarity of thought –A young woman has a brother that is involved in a car accident. Her brother is in the emergency room. But she does not know how extensive his injuries are. The word has spread like wildfire through her community. In 20 minutes she receives just as many texts. She tries to respond to each one at first but then she realizes that she does not have much of a report. As the texts keep rolling in she finally decides that she is not going to respond to the texts anymore that day. But

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she will respond to them later. However, as her brother recovers she finds herself unwilling to respond to the well over 200 texts she has received. Some of those who reached out to her through texting are hurt because she never responded to their texts of concern. Others understand that she was overwhelmed and don’t take it personally. They assume things are not too urgent and somewhat forget about her circumstances. Still others, decide that texting was their first attempt at communication and they begin to try others.

How do you think the young woman handled the barrage of texts?How would you have responded if you had been her? Why?How would you have responded if you were some who had reached out through texting?

CLOSURE/WRAP-UP (ENDING THE LESSON)

Read Romans 8:35-39 Romans 8 is talking about salvation. Salvation is a churchy word used often to cause us to consider whether or not we will be with God at the end of time. But in an age of technology when we are wanting to be connected to each other all the time, salvation also means how connected we feel to God in the moment. Sometimes the need to give our relationships (with people and cell phones a rest) is easier to do when we imagine that we are not separated from the one who created us and set us in motion. Have one of the youth reach the passage out loud from Romans 8.

As the youth leave class text them this scripture: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age?” Matthew 28:20

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