1. In a discussion with Laura about racism in America, Miller makes the comment, "I told her how frustrating it is to be a Christian in America, and how frustrated I am with not only the church's failures concerning human rights, but also my personal failure to contribute to the solution." Have you ever felt frustrated about being a Christian in America - whether it was the way you have been treated or the way the church handles things or issues? Share any thoughts and what role you played (or should have played) to help contribute to the solution.
2. Commenting on the things he learned from the few number of Christians at Reed, Miller states, "I learned that true love turns the other cheek, does not take a wrong into account, loves all people regardless of their indifference or hostility. The Christians at Reed seemed to me, well, revolutionary." Have you ever encountered anyone with this "revolutionary" Christian character? Share.
3. Towards the end of the chapter, Miller recounts the faith story of Penny, the desperate-to-know-God atheist, who encountered God in the strangest way. Her conversion story starts on page 46 and continues through the end of the chapter. Each of our conversion stories plays an extremely important role in who we are as a Christian, as is evident in Penny's story. The stories also draw us together as Christians. If you are willing, let's share our conversion stories with one another so we can draw closer as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Some Scripture to chew on as you consider these questions...
- The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5 - 7 (The "Revolutionary Jesus")
- Saul's (Paul) Conversion Story - Acts 9:1-19
3 comments:
I will share my story of becoming to believe. I started abusing alcohol and drugs when I was in the 7th grade. I hid it well for many years. I made sure I kept the outside part of my life in order, and together, so nobody knew what was going on in the inside. I did not believe in God. I hated the concept of God. I was missing Him in my life and did not even know it, or understand it. By the time I got through college I had done everything that was on my "I would never do that" list. In and out of treatment centers for 3 years, chaos, arrests, withdrawls, lies, becoming further and further away from God and from the person that God wanted me to be. I knew that. I just could not stop. I needed help. My mother gave me a book to read, "Purpose Driven Life." I read a chapter a night for 40 nights, thats how the book is set up. I prayed the prayer asking God to come into your life. I felt a little more relieved. I went to clean off the top of my TV. The cabinet where all my movies were, opened by itself and a movie fell out that I had received free in the mail, I did not order this movie to be sent to me. The name of the movie was "Jesus." I watched it. I prayed the prayer at the end of that movie too, once again asking God to come into my heart. 2 days later my mother and I are riding in her car going to take me to an interview. She had to drive me, I was not trusted with anything at this point. We were making small talk, I had not told her about my last 2 experiences with Jesus yet. All of a sudden I get stuck just looking at an image I saw. My mother still talking. I just looked. I could not stop looking. A transformer on the electrical pole looked like Jesus hanging on the cross. I did not say anything, I just looked. I thought maybe I was hallucinating, but I was no longer on drugs so that wasn't it. It scared me a little, then I was ok. I felt like I would be ok, for once in my life I felt ok with me, I felt ok with my family, I felt ok with life. That was only the beginning. I actually ended up in one more treatment center, except this time I wanted to go. I have been walking through life with God ever since. I finally realized that the God shaped hole in my heart I was always missing, could only be filled with the shape of God. SR
I became a Christian early in elementary school. My parents were very active in our church, and we rarely missed a Sunday. They taught me about God and Jesus from my earliest memory. When I made the decision to walk the aisle to be baptized, I did it because I felt like it was what I was supposed to do. When I got into junior high school, I was at a summer youth camp and was confronted with the reality that I don't think I ever understood that decision I made. I remember talking with Larry, a counselor at the camp, and he and I prayed together. I do not doubt the sincerity of my profession of faith as a child. However, I think that night praying with Larry was the moment where I fully embraced the journey of faith.
I also wanted to briefly comment about the question regarding frustration about being Christian in America. Recently I have been reading about other church vision and approaches. While I was reading, I encountered Elevation Church in Charlotte. Their mission, their purpose, is to focus on worship and small groups. That is what they do. It has made me wonder if we sometimes have become too concerned with program in the church. I think American Christians sometimes are more concerned about being busy with their faith than being faithful.
I often become frustrated as a Christian, and even more so, as a Baptist. When I hear of churches and leaders who protest military funerals our of "faith" or who demean and hurt people and proclaim that it is what Jesus called us to do. Have they forgotten that Jesus spent most of his time with thieves and prostitutes. He was not much on the Pharisees, who I think we would all have to admit greatly resemble present day church leaders. When someone asks what denomination I am, I feel the instant need to say, "I'm Baptist but..." It should not be that way. If we look at the current state of the Baptist State Convention and some of its current witch hunts, I am embarrassed that our church is still part of such a group. Do I hold myself responsible as well? Yes, mainly because I often do not know the best avenue to take when taking a stand for something. And as the spouse of a church staff member, I don't want my feelings or opinions to reflect poorly on my husband or his ministry. The Church, as a whole, spends far too much time arguing amongst itself and belittling others to really make the kind of difference in the world that it could.
As for becoming a Christian, for me a true relationship with Christ did not occur until I started attending church as a teenager with a friend. She had an inner joy in her life that I longed for. It was through youth group and specifically the Experiencing God study that I learned what a real relationship with God was all about. One assignment called for us to take a literal walk with God. It was a breezy afternoon, and as I walked around the neighborhood, I heard God speaking to me. He said it was time to make a decision. Was I going to continue to learn and model myself like a Christian, or was I going to take a real step of faith and turn control of my life over to Him? There was no debate about it; I gave Him my life right then and there.
I knew one revolutionary person in college named Diana. She was a Pentecostal planning to be a missionary doctor. She held tightly to her beliefs and values no matter how odd they might have seemed to the college community. You only had to spend five minutes with her to know she was a Christian, and she never had to tell you. She wore it as plainly as a banner across her forehead. I always hoped that someday people would see Christ in me, the way I could see Him in Diana.
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