Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence

Teens (ages 13-17) · Psalm 101:1-4; Philippians 4:8-9; James 3:1-12 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that digital systems shape attention, speech, desire, power, and neighbour-love and therefore require moral discernment.

Read: Psalm 101:1-4; Philippians 4:8-9; James 3:1-12

Opening: Ask one observation question before explaining the lesson.

Say:

The selected passage supplies the principal textual evidence for Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence.
Digital systems shape attention, speech, desire, power, and neighbour-love and therefore require moral discernment.

Ask:

What does the text directly say?
What conclusion requires interpretation or synthesis?
What should we avoid overstating?
What is one faithful response?

Do: Complete Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Claim Audit

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Psalm 101:1-4; Philippians 4:8-9; James 3:1-12 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Claim Audit. Printable: T4-L22-P01-social-media-algorithms-and-artificial-intelligence-claim-audit.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Activity details

Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Claim Audit · 10 min

Materials: Bible; Social Media, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence Claim Audit; Pens or pencils

Read Psalm 101:1-4; Philippians 4:8-9; James 3:1-12.
Record at least two direct observations.
Test the big idea: Digital systems shape attention, speech, desire, power, and neighbour-love and therefore require moral discernment.
Name one conclusion or application that would go beyond the evidence.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 23:23

Prayer: Thank God for what the passage shows and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Biblical justice includes right judgment, protection, mercy, and covenant faithfulness but cannot be reduced to a modern political slogan.