Discussion Starter: What If Nothing Is Private?

In spite of all the outrage expressed in the media over the recent revelations about the NSA’s surveillance programs, there’s a sense that many Americans just don’t care. Younger people, especially, have become really comfortable with sharing the most private details of their lives right out in the open – voluntarily. (Ever felt a little embarrassed to be viewing images shared by one of your students on Facebook?)

On the other hand, some students may be as deeply concerned as anyone else about the idea of growing up in a world where the government may be collecting all of the words and images we generate. In either case, it’s worth talking about together – and it might make for a really teachable moment about character and reputation.

Think about reading Proverbs 22:1 to your group: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

And then read the first part of Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A good name is better than precious ointment.”

Questions to get you started:

• How concerned are you about the idea that the government may be collecting lots of our private communication?
• Why would some people be worried about that?
• Do you think it’s worth giving up some of our privacy to stop terrorist plots? Why?
• While some people don’t trust the government to be responsible with private info, others may be concerned about what they’ve put on the Internet. How worried would you be if everything you’ve ever shared in an email, text or on Facebook was suddenly published for all to see?
• Should we ever write or send anything we would not want others to see? Why or why not?
• Solomon tells us that a good name – or good reputation – is a valuable thing. What can we do to protect our reputation these days? How would you communicate differently online if you thought everyone would one day see your words or pictures?
• How would what you post on your phone or online change if you thought nobody would ever see it except the exact people you meant to see it?
• What’s the difference between character and reputation? Can you have good character and a bad reputation? How about the other way around?
• If you are a Christian, do you believe unbelievers make decisions about who Jesus is based on what they know of your character and reputation?
• If Christ’s reputation is tied to yours, what does that mean about what we do or don’t share online?