Raising Giants: Chapter 16: The Gospel and Technology – Using Tools for the Kingdom
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." , Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
We are living in a moment that would have made the Apostle Paul drop his parchment. If Paul, a man who utilized the Roman road system and the shipping lanes of the Mediterranean to turn the world upside down, were alive today, he wouldn’t be afraid of the internet. He’d be the first one to figure out how to leverage the algorithm for the glory of God. He would see social media not just as a place of distraction, but as a digital Areopagus, a modern Mars Hill where the "unknown gods" of convenience and vanity are worshiped, and where the Living God needs to be proclaimed.
For parents raising "giants" in this generation, technology is often the dragon we are trying to slay. We see the screen time alerts, the dopamine-driven scrolling, and the hidden dangers of the dark corners of the web, and our first instinct is often to retreat. We want to pull the plug, smash the router, and move the family to a cabin in the woods where the only "cloud" is the one holding rain. But while protection is vital, retreat is not the Great Commission.
In this chapter, we are shifting the narrative. We aren’t just talking about how to survive technology; we are talking about how to redeem it. We are moving from being digital defensive players to offensive "Digital Missionaries." Your children are not just "digital natives"; they are potential digital giants who can use the very tools designed for distraction to deliver the most powerful message in human history.
The Tool, the Idol, and the Enemy
To raise a giant who masters technology rather than being mastered by it, we have to start with a clear theological framework. In the Christian life, technology generally falls into one of three categories in our minds: an idol, an enemy, or a tool.
1. Technology as an Idol: This is where most of the world lives. The device is the source of identity, the provider of comfort, and the arbiter of truth. When the phone is the first thing we touch in the morning and the last thing we see at night, it has become an altar. For our children, the "likes" on a post can become a digital scoreboard for their self-worth. If we don’t address the heart, the tool becomes the master.
2. Technology as an Enemy: This is the reactive stance. We see the "pornified" culture, the cyberbullying, and the loss of attention spans, and we declare tech to be inherently evil. While there are certainly "cursed" aspects of technology, treating it solely as an enemy often leads to our children becoming "spiritually illiterate" in a world that speaks digital. If they only know how to hide from it, they will never know how to light it up.
3. Technology as a Tool: This is the biblical, "Raising Giants" perspective. Technology is a gift of God’s common grace, a product of the creativity He placed in man. Like a hammer, it can be used to build a house or break a window. Like fire, it can cook a meal or burn down a forest. Our job as parents is to train our children to be master craftsmen who use these tools to build the Kingdom.
As we’ve discussed in our guide to digital safety, the goal isn't just to keep the bad stuff out; it's to get the Good News in. We want to equip our children with a "Digital Missionary Toolkit."
The Great Commission 2.0: What is a Digital Missionary?
When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He told us to "go into all the world." In the 1st Century, that meant walking. In the 19th Century, it meant sailing ships. In the 21st Century, it means clicking. The "nations" are no longer just across the ocean; they are across the interface.
A "Digital Missionary" is a young person who understands that their digital footprint is a trail of light. They don’t just consume the internet; they redeem it. They recognize that every comment, every post, every share, and every DM is an opportunity to evangelize the lost, disciple believers, and show compassion, aligning perfectly with the core mission of the Assemblies of God.
The Mindset Shift: From Consumer to Creator
The greatest danger of technology isn't just the "bad content"; it’s the passivity. The internet is designed to make us "consumers", passive recipients of endless streams of entertainment. But giants are not passive. Giants are creators.
We need to challenge our children to move from the "scrolling" phase to the "sowing" phase. Instead of just watching YouTube, can they create a video that explains a Bible verse? Instead of just following influencers, can they be an influence for Christ among their gaming friends? When they see a friend post something sad or hopeless, do they just "heart" it, or do they send a voice memo saying, "I’m praying for you right now"?
Consumer vs. Creator: The Digital Battlefield
Let's look at the contrast. A "Digital Consumer" is shaped by the algorithm. They are prone to comparison, anxiety, and a "me-centered" worldview. A "Digital Creator" (for the Kingdom) shapes the environment. They are focused on others, driven by purpose, and anchored in Scripture.
One lives in the "Darker Tones" of the digital world, hunched over, eyes glazed, drifting where the feed takes them. The other lives in the "Warmer Tones", upright, intentional, and using their devices to broadcast hope.
Practical Stewardship: The Rules of the Road
Training a digital missionary requires more than just a pep talk; it requires a plan. We have to teach our children the "Stewardship of the Screen."
1. Guarding the Heart (Proverbs 4:23) We must teach our children that their eyes are the lamp of the body. If what they are consuming is making them feel more anxious, more lustful, or more angry, the tool has become toxic. We use filters and accountability software, not because we don't trust our kids, but because we know the enemy is a "roaring lion" looking for anyone to devour, and he loves an unmonitored Wi-Fi connection.
2. The Philippians 4:8 Filter Before your child posts or shares anything, ask them: "Is it true? Is it noble? Is it right? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it admirable?" If it doesn't pass the "Giant's Filter," it doesn't get posted. This simple habit turns "accidental posting" into "intentional ministry."
3. Redeeming the Time (Ephesians 5:16) Technology is a time-vampire. We teach our giants that time is a limited resource given by God. We set "Tech-Free Zones" and "Sacred Times."
The Dinner Table: No phones. This is where we practice the art of face-to-face community.
The Bedroom: Devices stay in the kitchen or a charging station at night. Darkness and isolation are where the enemy does his best work.
The Sabbath: One day a week, we "unplug" to "reconnect" with the Creator.
Parenting in the Glow: Modeling the Mission
You cannot lead your child where you are not willing to go. If you are constantly scrolling while your child is trying to talk to you, you are teaching them that the device is more valuable than the person.
To raise a giant, you must be a giant of presence. When you use technology, let them see you using it for the Kingdom. Let them see you reading your Bible app. Let them hear you talk about a podcast that encouraged your faith. Show them how you respond with grace to a "troll" on social media.
We are not just protecting them from the "Giant" of Technology; we are teaching them how to pick up the smooth stone of Truth and hurl it at the forehead of digital darkness.
Leaving a Trail of Light
Imagine a world where our children’s "Digital Footprint" isn't a source of shame in twenty years, but a historical record of God’s faithfulness. Imagine their social media feeds being a "digital scrapbook" of Scripture, encouragement, and service.
The Great Commission is moving. The light of the Gospel is traveling through fiber-optic cables and satellite signals. Our children can be the ones "at the helm," directing that light to the darkest corners of the earth. From a bedroom in the suburbs, they can reach a teenager in a closed country who is searching for hope.
Chapter 16 Takeaway
Don't just consume the internet; redeem it. Your child’s device is a mission field, and they are the missionary. Stop looking at technology as a hurdle to their faith and start looking at it as a bridge to the world.
Raising Giants isn’t about building a wall to keep the world out; it’s about building a foundation so strong that our children can walk into any "digital lions' den" and shut the mouths of the lions with the power of the Gospel.
But here is the question that should keep us up at night: If we don't train our children to be Digital Missionaries, who is training them to be Digital Disciples of the world?
About Layne McDonald, Ph.D.
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a dedicated husband, father, and Christian leader with a passion for helping families and individuals grow in their faith. With a deep commitment to biblical truth and a heart for mentoring, Dr. McDonald provides practical, spiritually grounded resources designed to encourage and equip the Body of Christ. His work is rooted in his years of ministry experience and his academic background, all aimed at helping people live out their eternal purpose in Jesus Christ.
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