LIVE 315: Intro

"How do I stand up without sticking out?"

Big question. Initially, we may think the one asking the question lacks faith or is embarrassed about what they believe. But when you dig deeper and listen, it's not about fear of being wrong... it's a fear of being rejected. But the beauty of being a Christian is that everyone can be accepted. In fact, Christianity should be the most loving, welcoming, and life-changing religion. 

But we know the being a Christian isn't about religion... "it's a relationship". But what if what we believe will actually hurt that relationship? Sticking out for what we believe may be a deeper issue than just saying, "You have to have faith." Peter gives specific principles that will help any teenager who is "working out their own salvation", figure out how to stand up without sticking out.

Read: 

1 Peter 2:1-3

• Our kids are growing up. Hopefully they aren't still drinking baby's milk from the bottle... actually, I hope they aren't drinking baby's milk. I hope we don't think that by sending them to church, that will make them grow up to be like Jesus... it will help, but it won't make them like Jesus. Our kids will become like the ones they spend the most time with... their greatest influence isn't TV stars, movies, music, friends, teachers, or even church. It's their parents. And what their parents show them within their faith, will become their faith. Our kids are trying to own their own faith. Physically or emotionally hurting someone, lying, saying one thing but doing another, wanting what other people have, making fun of people and making other look bad... those are all "childish" reactions... issues of a bigger heart issue. Open up the discussion this week and contrast "childish faith" vs. "adult faith". Are there any differences? Make sure you answer the questions honestly, too.

Discuss: 

• What is the difference about acting like a child and acting like an adult?
• Which childish behavior are you most prone to?: Angry reactions; Lying; Hypocrisy; Envy; Putting others down
• In what ways has God been good to us?