The Stories We Tell

This afternoon, as I was scanning the MediaWise website and reading an article on the pros and cons of emerging technology (who doesn't need help keeping up with endless electronic advances and understanding their effect on children?), I notice a quote that caught my attention:


"Whoever tells the stories defines the culture."


The article went on to encourage parents to be the storytellers in their kids' lives, rather than relinquishing that role to the media. It made me wonder about which stories live in the imaginations of our kids. Which stories shape their view of the world, of God, of people, of themselves?

Our kids live in a YouTube world where their best friend’s video camera can make them famous. Reality TV isn't just an adult phenomenon. Endurance, a show on the Discovery Kid's channel, puts real teens and preteens into challenging situations where they (and their viewing audience) learn to look out for number one, make alliances they later break, and betray friends if that’s what it takes to win. First-person-shooter video games allow kids to imagine dangerous scenarios and either problem solve or conquer using violence.

Every day kids are absorbing these stories from our culture. Stories that say that airtime equals importance, that self should be valued over community, that violence is entertainment.
Are these the stories that will define their lives?

Our kids need a better story! A Story that puts God at the center, and gives them an important role. A Story that provides them with a big context for their lives and helps them put all the other stories into perspective. As we begin a new Sunday school season, let's dive into the Story of Scripture with new passion and joy. Let's help kids discover the Bible as the unfolding story of God that begins in Genesis and continues with our lives today. Let's approach the old, old story with new awe for a Savior whose love has the power to define us as God's people and shape a new generation.

This song by Sarah Groves is my prayer for the season ahead.