Israel is in an interesting location, especially in the time of the ancient world. It is a small strip of land, with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and mountains on the other. To Israel’s northwest is Europe, the northeast Asia and the south, Africa. It doesn’t hold enough people or resources to become a world dominating power like the Egyptians, Greeks or Romans. Because of where it was located, however, every major Empire trying to rule the ancient world as well as major commercial traders, passed through Israel. They were in the perfect place to influence the world – no matter who currently controlled it.
Your Bible students live in an age where they understand influencers all too well. They may follow a few on social media or hope to earn a living or fame as one. Even if they never have millions of followers, they will have the chance to influence someone during their lifetime….most likely quite a few someone’s. Have they ever considered how to become an influencer for God?
It is an important conversation to have, especially with older children and teens. Too many Christian adults have damaged their ability to influence people for God by spending their efforts on trying to influence people politically, commercially or socially and doing it in ways that anger others rather than drawing others towards them to learn more. Once an influencer has angered all of those he or she hopes to influence, the possibility of influencing them for God is often destroyed.
It’s not that Christians don’t have a right to express their opinions on politics, what to buy or any number of subjects. It’s just that they need to consider carefully whether doing so could hurt the chances they have of helping people get to Heaven.
Ask your students the types of posts an influencer for God might post. What posts would they avoid? How can they share God’s truths without watering them down, but in such a way that others want to learn more? How can they use their influence to point others to God without coming across as a slick marketing campaign?
This isn’t a one time conversation, but one that needs to occur periodically. Social media, influencers’ techniques and your Bible students are all changing rapidly. Making this an ongoing conversation can keep them focused on using their influence where it will do the most good – helping others spend eternity in Heaven.