After preaching a sermon on technology and discipleship in early September,I invited the young adult and adult members of the congregation to attend a new Sunday School class on the same theme.

The members of the class have been considering one central question: How should followers of Jesus relate to the technology that is both rapidly developing and ever-present in our world today? Based on strong attendance, the theme is resonating with people--the class has averaged between 15-20 attendees a week.

Discussions have ranged from the development of the wheel to the rise of social media, from the use of technology in the worship service to the place of medical intervention in end-of-life issues. Many questions have been raised: How does technology impact our community life? How does it influence our identity? How might technology diminish or enhance our discipleship? Consensus seems to be developing that we should not fear technology, while at the same time being careful to discern the implications of how and when we use it.