Not one, not two, but three guys theologize on this week’s episode! After some banter, the gents engage the topic of an ongoing shift in the church. Many young people are pursuing spiritual formation from online personalities and podcasters, rather than from their own shepherds in the local church. The guys discuss how to encourage young Christians to go about their spiritual formation.
Scott asks if Barry and Kyle have personally witnessed this issue in the church. Kyle and Barry share what they think some of the driving forces are behind this shift from congregational shepherding to online discipling. Scott follows up, asking about the dangers of “hobby horses” in the local church, and if it’s possible that local pastors are ignoring the things presently troubling the younger generations. Kyle and Barry explore the problems of turning away from the local church in favor of social media and online influencers. Scott asks Barry and Kyle if all forms of digital influence are detrimental to spiritual formation. He then encourages them to explain how the local church can win the hearts of young Christians. Kyle and Barry delineate ways to use online resources properly, and most importantly, in a godly way. The guys encourage listeners to keep tuning in to 3GT but to always return to the local church! Barry reads an email (and a very flowery one, at that) dedicated to the host with the most, Scott.
Have you noticed a shift in the personalities influencing young Christians? Are you wondering why this change has happened, and what the church can do to encourage young people to seek discipleship in the local body? Are you perhaps a young person who has grown dissatisfied with the teaching in your local church? Tune in this week for some timely counsel befitting the occasion!
