Unfriend Yourself: Three Days to Detox, Discern, and Decide About Social Media
By Kyle Tennant
3.5/5
()
About this ebook
Three days. No Facebook. No Twitter. No social media. Just time to detox, discern, and decide.
Take a three-day social media fast with Unfriend Yourself and learn to examine your use of social media from a Christian perspective. This book will guide you in evaluating your fast by asking challenging questions such as:
- What happens when I broadcast myself on the Internet?
- Do I see a difference between my interactions on social media and my interactions face-to-face?
- Do I rule my media, or do my media rule me?
While reading Unfriend Yourself, you will learn to think critically, biblically, and practically about social media. Whether you choose to leave the social media scene, engage in it less, or engage in it more after your social media fast, your perspective on social media will never be the same.
“Without throwing the baby out with the bathwater, Kyle challenges the Christian to a God-honoring approach to social media involvement. Well researched and thought through, Unfriend Yourself avoids the emotional arguments and instead presents a provocative ‘must read’ for any students, young adults, and generations beyond who want to be responsible in approaching social media from a biblical worldview.”
– Dr. Bob MacRae, Professor of Youth Ministry at Moody Bible Institute
Kyle Tennant
KYLE TENNANT is the Director of Student Ministries at the Village Church of Bartlett in Bartlett, IL. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton Graduate School. Kyle lives in Chicago's west suburbs, and enjoys reading, writing, preaching, eating, cooking, and good conversation.
Related to Unfriend Yourself
Related ebooks
The 40-Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distractions for Real-Life Devotion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Psychological After Effects of a Digital and Social Media Addiction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoodbye Phone, Hello World: 60 Ways to Disconnect from Tech and Reconnect to Joy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Welcome to Adulting Survival Guide: 42 Days to Navigate Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Drowning in Screen Time: A Lifeline for Adults, Parents, Teachers, and Ministers Who Want to Reclaim Their Real Lives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYour Life Plan: How to set yourself on the right path and take charge of your life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Break Your Phone Addiction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5first - Devotional: putting GOD first in living and giving Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Dark Side of Social Media: Psychological, Managerial, and Societal Perspectives Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Genius of Opposites: How Introverts and Extroverts Achieve Extraordinary Results Together Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/512 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5D.S.M. 7 Steps to Social Media Abstinence: Delete Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/53 Things One Must Do Before Saying I Do Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBreaking Up with People-Pleasing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Power of Habits: Boost Self-Control, Build Good Habits, Improve Communication Skills & Achieve Your Goals Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsForgive Your Way to Freedom: Reconcile Your Past and Reclaim Your Future Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The ABC's of Social Media Management Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOvercoming Internet Addiction For Dummies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNext Up: 8 Shifts Great Young Leaders Make Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Take Back Your Time: Identify Your Priorities, Decrease Stress, and Increase Productivity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Social Addict: For The Out-Of-Control Social Media User Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelf-Discipline Mastery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Offline: Free Your Mind from Smartphone and Social Media Stress Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Christianity For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jesus Calling Morning and Evening, with Scripture References Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Unfriend Yourself
8 ratings1 review
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a good read that made very nice points.
Book preview
Unfriend Yourself - Kyle Tennant
Kyle has written a very timely and necessary work addressing our attachment to social media. Without throwing the baby out with the bathwater, Kyle challenges the Christian to a God-honoring approach to social media involvement. Well researched and thought through, Unfriend Yourself avoids the emotional arguments and instead presents a provocative ‘must read’ for any students, young adults, and generations beyond who want to be responsible in approaching social media from a biblical worldview. This book will make you think! Thanks, Kyle, for this much needed, practical, and contemplative work.
Dr. Bob MacRae
Professor of Youth Ministry
Moody Bible Institute
With Unfriend Yourself Kyle strikes a resonate chord with his generation and provides needed leadership through the wonders and warnings of social media relationships. Kyle’s compelling research and personal insight successfully equip the reader with an effective biblical framework through which to address the growing place social media is taking in our daily lives. Embrace Kyle’s relevant and thought-provoking challenge, and find yourself better off for it.
Brian Kammerzelt
Communications Department Chair
Moody Bible Institute
unfriend
yourself
THREE DAYS TO DETOX, DISCERN,
AND DECIDE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
KYLE TENNANT
MOODY PUBLISHERS
CHICAGO
© 2012 by
KYLE TENNANT
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000, 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Edited by Brandon O’Brien
Cover design: Kathryn Joachim
Interior design: Smart Guys design
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tennant, Kyle.
Unfriend yourself : three days to detox, discern, and decide about social media / by Kyle Tennant.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8024-0953-9
1. Social media. 2. Online social networks. 3. Interpersonal relations. I. Title.
HM742.T46 2012
302.23’1–dc23
2011043190
All websites and phone numbers listed herein are accurate at the time of publication, but may change in the future or cease to exist. The listing of website references and resources does not imply publisher endorsement of the site’s entire contents. Groups and organizations are listed for informational purposes, and listing does not imply publisher endorsement of their activities.
We hope you enjoy this book from Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs
and challenges. For more information on other books and products written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60610
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
Printed in the United States of America
To my professors,
who taught me how to think
Contents
Introduction
1. Detox
2. Discern
3. Decide
Conclusion
Afterword
Notes
Acknowledgments
Introduction
My name is Kyle, and over a year ago, I said farewell to Facebook. Well, at least I tried.
It all started in a class. (How often do we start stories like that?) I wanted to study how Christians and churches should use Facebook, so for my independent study course I planned to write a paper called The Application of Social Media in the Local Church.
At the time, I was going to a rather net-savvy church and wanted to explore more fully how we could use these new technologies.
Then I met with my professor. Only a few years older than me and well-versed in the goings-on of communication theory, he seemed like the perfect fit. Except for when he told me that I was asking the wrong question. I was asking, "How should the church be using social media?" My professor kindly removed that first word, and in so doing, launched me on a journey that would change the way I think about the world. It’s funny how changing one little word, how, could do so much.
So I began my study, seeking to answer my new question, Should the church be using social media at all?
To answer this question, I had to create a new reading list. Instead of reading only works fresh off the presses of Christian publishing houses everywhere, I started reading works by authors who had been buried over a decade ago. Instead of only reading books on ministry practice, I started reading communications theory and texts on sociology, technology, and culture. While I did spend a significant amount of time reading contemporary works, I started with the dead guys, who provided me the framework to understand the newer stuff.
Before I knew it, the project was practically running away from me. I could barely keep up with the unending flow of data found in books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, and, of course, blogs. Soon the magnum opus of my undergraduate career