Home Cell Guide (Sunday 17th March 2019)
Praise the Lord! Mr. David Sepuya a distinguished Journalist, Member of St Francis Chapel Makerere and a Preacher man delivered a Sermon on “Challenges of raising a godly Generation: “ Effects of Media” to the three (3) All Saints’ Congregations on 10th March 2019. The Preacher pointed out that the more the environment changes and its core value is affected, the deeper Media would impact on the people especially the Children and Youth!
Mr. Sepuya strongly cautioned that Media has a cognitive [intellectual/perception] dissonance [influence] that inflict people’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours to which Adults and Parents should watch and guide, train on one hand BUT also mentor children in good conduct; as opposed to what Alice Bailey authoritatively propounded when she wrote decades of years ago that “… when you are changing a Nation, influence the children and youth…”
Wrongful use of the Media therefore can impact negatively on a Nation with varying defaming values – like stopping to pray, failure to attend Church without any reason to mention but a few! In such a state of affair(s) and context, Parents ought to do some of the following:
- ‘Stick on’ the Old Testament principle and advice of instructing and training a child [Proverbs 22:6];
- Limit and counter force the impact of Media to the Children and Youth: e.g having a centralized Computer and avoid teens, Children [ 5-12years] owning Smart Phones;
- Parents need to eliminate some form(s) of Media in the Family and when necessary sensor and discern Film’s watched by the Children and Youth;
- Parents / Guardians need to enforce a form of discipline in a Family especially on Table – like not entertaining phone calls when dining as a Family.[Proverbs 13:24];
Mr. Sepuya outlined workable and practical principles that may be used in raising a godly family and include:
- Parents should strive to be present for their children especially in the early development and growth stages;
- Parents ought to invoke godly discipline for their children at all times; [Hebrews 12:4-11]
- Maintenance of godly and good attitude for both Parents and children is a must;
- Above all a godly marriage, prayerful Home and reading the Bible nurtures and grows a godly family.[Mark 12:30-31; Deuteronomy 11:18-19];
Guiding Questions and Prayer Moments
- As a Cell, spend some quality time and discuss the influence and impact of the Media on the Family. Attempt to point out those Key Areas that divert the Family Members.
- Allow Members to practically point out ways and methods of how they can reduce on the effects of Media on family. [Philippians 4:6-8, Colossians 3:1-2]
- Spend the rest of Time in Prayer specifically upholding both the Children and Youth who are majorly being carried away by careless use if the Media.
Revd. Canon Erisa Grace Sentongo
[Priest in Charge: Home Cells and Pastoral Care]
Tel. Nos. +256 414 342128, +256 77 2503180/702 503180
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