3 Reasons Why Technology is Transforming Outreach & Discipleship
The internet has become the second home for many children. Growing churches can take advantage of this trend by engaging people through effective outreach. Learn why digital discipleship is a necessary strategy to reach the next generation. | by Travis Albritton
The internet has become the second home for many children, and they’re naturally adept in the digital world. Churches can take advantage of this trend by making themselves relevant in their daily digital lives. Here, we'll look at why digital discipleship is a necessary strategy for reaching the next generation.
As a church leader, you're probably thinking of ways to appeal to the younger generation. After all, kids are the future of the church.
If you want to connect with the younger generation, you need to be where they are. Most children are always glued to their electronic devices. So, it is no surprise that they are likely to be more open to digital ministry.
The internet has become the second home for many children, and they’re naturally adept in the digital world. Churches can take advantage of this trend by making themselves relevant in their daily digital lives.
Here, we'll look at why digital discipleship is a necessary strategy for reaching the next generation.
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Digital discipleship knows no bounds.
Today's churches have a wide range of digital tools at their disposal to reach out and connect with people. The internet has made it easier than ever for church leaders to empower members to lead online ministries.
When it comes to discipleship, we can meet kids exactly where they are, regardless of geography or church resources. If we confine our ministry to in-person meetings, we may miss out on reaching children who want to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
Digital discipleship opens up many possibilities for the community that would otherwise be unavailable through traditional church settings.
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Digital discipleship engages children easily.
These days, kids are growing up with technology and because of that, engaging them with online tools isn't difficult.
Let’s face it, most children nowadays are more technologically adept than their parents. When children are exposed to technology from a young age, they grow more comfortable and accustomed to it, making it simpler to adopt. To them, terms such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality are not strange or unfamiliar concepts.
With the advent of augmented reality, certain Bible applications are available today that bring biblical figures to life. With this technology, imagine how easy it would be to engage kids in studying Bible stories.
Now, if we want to connect with them, we need to speak their language. In many ways, technology has already become a kind of reality for most children. We must get into their world and teach them the reality of the gospel.
Engaging kids in digital discipleship requires a lot of creativity. It’s essential to make the learning process fun, educational, interactive, and meaningful. We shouldn't limit what we can do just because the church is adapting to the new normal.
Use familiar activities that you know children would enjoy and turn them into online activities. One example would be Virtual VBS. A virtual VBS is a great way to give kids a wonderful online summer experience. This is also an opportunity for your church to keep families engaged.
Just remember to make your interpersonal interactions a priority. The quality of the platform, presentation, or production is less significant than the quality of your relationships.
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Digital discipleship expands physical ministry.
It allows you to extend the reach of your physical ministry into the online realm through digital discipleship.
Seize the opportunity to expand your online presence. You have a real campus with buildings, people, and events, and a virtual campus to disciple children who may never visit your church.
With the internet and social media, the church has access to a global mission field. In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Through the internet, we can "Go into all the world."
Over to you
The digital age has brought tremendous change to the way we do ministry. We need to be intentional about using technology and incorporate it into our leadership and discipleship strategies to reach the next generation effectively.
Children are our next generation of leaders, teachers, and volunteers. This means they should be a top priority in any ministry.
This article originally appeared on the Tithe.ly website on January 6, 2022.
