Social media, regardless of where you find yourself in the world, is likely shaping the culture around you. It has the ability to be all-consuming—shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and values. As Christians who aspire to have an influence on those around us, how can we use social media wisely without being consumed? Should we consider taking a break from social media when the need arises? As our follower count grows and provides an opportunity for influencing others positively, is it still appropriate to use our social media platforms to that end?

In this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park discuss how to use social media in a meaningful and gospel-informed way. They touch on their preferred platforms, distinguishing between influencing others on social media versus being considered an "influencer," and they identify when taking a break from it is a wise decision for our own hearts.

Episode time stamps:

• There's no recipe for social media (0:00)
• How Twitter helped Aixa's faith take a positive turn (5:12)
• The value of social media for the global church (7:01)
• The dangers of self-made influence (9:45)
• The difference between being a positive influence and being an influencer (12:46)
• Social media should be an overflow of your real life (15:21)
• Remembering that your followers are real people (17:07)
• Considering your purpose for being on social media (18:34)
• Using social media wisely and when to take a break (22:24)
• Is social media causing me to sin? (28:10)
• The hosts share their favorite social media platforms (29:13)

In Romans 12, Paul instructs believers to share in the needs of the saints and pursue hospitality. This is the same call for believers today—to help care for the people in our communities and show Christlike love through hospitality. But what does this actually look like in our various cultural contexts and seasons of life?

In this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park delve into the biblical foundations of hospitality and its distinction from mere entertainment. They discuss how hospitality is a form of worship and why financial limitations should not hinder our gracious care toward others. The hosts also share personal examples of what hospitality looks like in their own unique backgrounds. This conversation reminds us that we can all show Christ's love through the practice of hospitality, no matter where we are in the world.

Episode time stamps:

• Share with the saints in their needs (0:00)
• What is biblical hospitality? (4:26)
• The humble heart and hospitality (5:49)
• Entertainment vs. hospitality (8:55)
• Hospitality as worship (12:48)
• When not to have someone in your home (15:37)
• How to be hospitable as a single woman (17:10)
• Showing hospitality in your cultural context (19:27)

In this first episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Sharon Dickens, Aixa de López, and Soojin Park share their personal journeys of discovering the transformative power of the gospel and the importance of understanding the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

You'll hear how they first came to believe in the gospel, and how it continues to impact their lives and churches today. Stay tuned to the end of this episode, when the hosts talk about their favorite dish from their culture.

Episode time stamps:

• Episode and host introductions (0:00)
• Blair's story of coming to faith (3:30)
• Soojin's story of coming to faith (6:07)
• Sharon's story of coming to faith (7:36)
• Aixa's story of coming to faith (10:29)
• The church in different contexts (13:24)
• Being part of the minority or majority (20:19)
• Recommended resources (27:28)
• Favorite dishes from different cultures (30:54)

Recommended resources mentioned in this episode:

• Acceso Directo 
• Coalición Por El Evangelio
• First Steps Series by 9Marks
• Comforts from the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick
• The Pilgrim's Progress by Josh Bunyan and Alan Vermilye

Join us for Glo, the new podcast from The Gospel Coalition, hosted by Blair Linne, Sharon Dickens, Aixa De López, and Soojin Park—four women from diverse backgrounds, discussing God's work around the world and within their own lives.

Tune in to Glo and be inspired by the transformative power of the gospel. God is still at work.