Book: Raising Giants – Study Guide: Chapter 16
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." , Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
The Digital Frontier: Our Newest Mission Field
When Jesus stood on that mountainside in Galilee and commissioned His followers to reach "all nations," the "world" felt both incredibly small and dauntingly large. To the disciples, "all nations" meant dusty roads, wooden ships, and the far-flung reaches of the Roman Empire. They could not have imagined a world where "all nations" are accessible via a glass rectangle in the palm of a child’s hand.
Yet, as we raise our children in the 21st century, we must realize that the Great Commission has not changed; only the terrain has. The digital world is not just a collection of tools; it is a culture, a community, and, for many, a primary residence. If we are to "Raise Giants" in the faith, we cannot treat technology as a neutral bystander or a necessary evil. We must treat it as a mission field.
This study guide is designed to help your family pivot from being passive consumers of technology to becoming active ambassadors of the Kingdom. We aren't just teaching our kids how to stay safe online; we are teaching them how to be light in a dark digital world.
Part 1: The Theology of Tools
Before we dive into the "how-to," we must establish the "why." Throughout human history, God has used technology to advance His purposes. The printing press was the "technology" that fueled the Reformation, allowing the Bible to reach the hands of the common person. The Roman roads were the "technology" that allowed the early Church to spread the Gospel with unprecedented speed.
In our era, the internet and social media are the newest iterations of the "Roman Road." They are tools. And tools are only as good as the hand that holds them.
Stewardship vs. Slavery
Most modern families feel like slaves to their devices. We react to every ping, scroll until our souls are numb, and allow algorithms to dictate our moods and our worldviews. But biblical stewardship says that we are the masters of the tool.
Creation, Formation, Mission: To steward technology well, we must view it through three lenses:
Creation: Does this tool or content honor the fact that every human being is made in the Imago Dei (Image of God)?
Formation: How is this app or habit shaping my heart? Is it producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) or the works of the flesh?
Mission: Does this tool help me fulfill the Great Commission? Does it help me love God and neighbor?
Part 2: The Family Digital Audit
You cannot manage what you do not measure. Most of us have no idea how much our digital habits are actually shaping our family’s spiritual temperature. This exercise is designed to bring clarity, not shame.
Step 1: The Honest List Gather the family and a large sheet of paper. On the left side, list every digital influence that enters your home. This includes:
Social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
Video games (Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, etc.)
Streaming services and specific YouTube channels.
AI tools and search engines.
Music playlists and podcasts.
Step 2: The Spiritual Evaluation On the right side, write down what each of these "voices" is saying about:
Identity: Who does this app say you are? (e.g., "You are only as good as your likes.")
Purpose: What does this content say is the most important thing in life? (e.g., "Pleasure, wealth, or fame.")
Truth: Does this channel align with Scripture, or does it mock it?
Step 3: Identify Change Points
The Concern: Circle one digital influence that is clearly pulling your family away from Christ. What is your plan to remove or strictly limit it?
The Positive: Star one digital tool that helps you grow (like a Bible app or a Christian podcast). How can you lean into this more?
Step 4: The Time Comparison Look at your "Screen Time" settings. Compare the hours spent on entertainment versus the minutes spent in prayer or Word-centered apps. If the gap is massive, it’s time to recalibrate.
Part 3: Building Your Family Digital Mission Plan
Once you’ve audited your current state, it’s time to move toward a future of intentionality. A Digital Mission Plan is a family covenant that turns your home from a collection of isolated scrollers into a unified team on a mission.
1. Craft a Mission Statement
Start with a single sentence that defines your goal. Example: "The McDonald family will use our screens to find truth, share love, and connect with the Body of Christ, never letting a device come between us and God or each other."
2. Define Your Core Digital Values
What are the "non-negotiables" for your family’s online behavior?
Integrity: We don't say things behind a screen that we wouldn't say to someone’s face.
Purity: We protect our eyes and hearts from anything that dishonors God’s design for sex and relationships.
Kindness: Our comments and messages will be "seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6).
3. Establish Sacred Tech-Free Times
Discipleship happens in the margins. If every margin is filled with a screen, discipleship dies. Set boundaries like:
The Family Table: No phones during meals. This is for face-to-face connection.
The Sabbath Rest: One day a week (or a half-day) where the whole family "unplugs" to focus on God and nature.
The Bedtime Boundary: Devices stay in a central charging station overnight, not in bedrooms.
4. Create Daily Spiritual Rhythms
How can you use tech to prompt prayer?
Set a daily alarm for "Mission 10:2" (Luke 10:2), where the whole family stops to pray for more workers for the harvest.
Use a shared family group chat specifically for sharing Bible verses or "God-sightings" throughout the day.
Part 4: Sharing the Gospel Online
How do we actually do the Great Commission on a smartphone? It starts with the understanding that every post is a piece of testimony.
1. Model Gospel-Shaped Behavior Your kids are watching how you respond to political stress, negative comments, and "cancel culture" online. If you are angry and divisive, they will learn that the Gospel is about winning arguments. If you are patient and truthful, they will learn that the Gospel is about winning souls.
2. Practical Acts of Digital Mission Encourage your children to:
Send a "Blessing Text": Once a day, text a friend a verse or a simple "I’m praying for you today."
Share Beauty, Not Just Self: Instead of only posting selfies, post things that point to God’s creation or a truth they learned in their quiet time.
Be a "First Responder" to Pain: When they see someone hurting online, teach them to skip the "like" and offer a genuine word of encouragement or a prayer.
3. Digital Hospitality The early Church was known for its hospitality. In the digital age, this means creating safe, welcoming spaces. If your kids are gamers, teach them to be the player who doesn't use foul language, who encourages the "newbie," and who stands up for the person being bullied. That is digital discipleship in action.
Part 5: The Global Perspective
We must remind our children that the internet has given us a superpower: the ability to reach the "ends of the earth" instantly.
When we use social media to support a missionary, to donate to a clean-water project, or to share a Bible translation app with someone in a closed country, we are participating in the global movement of God. Technology has effectively removed the "distance" from the Great Commission.
Help your children see their devices not as toys, but as "Kingdom Transmitters."
Family Discussion & Reflection Questions
For the Kids: If Jesus looked at your search history or your "For You" page, would He see things that help you love Him more? Why or why not?
For the Parents: Are we modeling "digital rest," or are we constantly distracted when our children are trying to talk to us?
For Everyone: What is one "digital tribe" (a gaming community, a hobby group, a friend circle) that our family can intentionally reach with the love of Christ this month?
The Heart Check: Do we feel more "alive" when we are on our screens, or when we are spending time in God’s Word and with each other?
Family Prayer & Declaration
Gather together, perhaps around your central "tech charging station," and pray this together:
"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible tools You have placed in our hands. We acknowledge that every good gift comes from You. Today, we dedicate our digital lives to Your Kingdom. We ask for the Spirit of Wisdom to discern truth from lies. We ask for the Spirit of Boldness to share Your Gospel online. May our screens never become idols, and may our virtual reach never exceed our local love. Help us to Raise Giants who are light in the digital darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Chapter Takeaway
Technology is a servant of the Mission, not a master of the Soul.
Author Bio: Layne McDonald, Ph.D.
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a dedicated husband, father, and minister with a passion for helping families navigate the complexities of modern culture through a biblical lens. With a deep background in theology and a heart for discipleship, Dr. McDonald specializes in creating resources that are both intellectually rigorous and practically applicable. As the founder of Layne McDonald Ministry, he is committed to providing churches and families with the tools they need to grow in faith, heal emotionally, and lead with eternal purpose. His work is rooted in the truth of Scripture and aligned with the values of the Assemblies of God, aiming to guide every reader toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
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The Final Hook: If your family's digital footprint was the only "Bible" your neighbors ever read, what would they know about Jesus by the end of the week?
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