How...

jeff_osu · Tiger Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 838 Location: Oklahoma

How do you help someone nurture a Christian lifestyle? I see alot of my friends so close to getting it, but I really just don't know what to do or say. It's really hard for me to talk to someone about it, because I know I'm not a Christian that should be an example for other people. It's hard enough to worry about yourself, how do you help other people?

Steve · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:16 pm Post subject:

None of us is equipped to be a lone ranger for Christ.
We stay in vital contact with a fellowship of believers (usually a church), so we can say, "I don't have all the answers, but come and see."
I have been part of fellowships I wouldn't invite anybody to, but happily now I can feel confident inviting them to hear the word where we go now, or sometimes there are special events, Bible studies, singles meetings, Recovery groups, etc.

I laid a cassette of Switchfoot on a couple guys at work, with some Paul Wright on it too. They liked it and related to the surfer thing.
Then after about a week, one of them said he was thinking maybe he'd go to church!
He hasn't showed up there as yet, but seeds are planted, and others may harvest someday.

People know where I'm at, but I don't often feel led to evangelize until there's a basis of friendship, and then it can really only be my testimony. I sure can't speak for anybody else, or explain histories travesties.

sharring · Tiger Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 815 Location: Texas

"I know I'm not a Christian that should be an example to other people." Huh? Please expound Brother Jeff. Smile

scott

jeff_osu · Tiger Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 838 Location: Oklahoma

Well, I'm hardly perfect. In 3 years I have changed quite a bit, but I let a cuss word slip every now and then. Or I'll make an insensitive joke or something, but those little things don't make a great example or anything because people pick up on that stuff.

Steve · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:58 am Post subject:

jeff_osu · Tiger Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 838 Location: Oklahoma

Thx Steve...hadn't thought of it that way.

sharring · Tiger Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 815 Location: Texas

Preach it Brother Steve! Jeff...I had hoped to narrow down your concerns to try to understand the smaller pieces but ole Steve covered it all in a big warm blanket of Faith. Dang, i'll bet he plays guitar too. Jeff-I blow it everyday too. At the end of every day I always remember where I failed but also remember God's love. Christianity is the ONLY religion where God deliberatly reaches out to His creations by becoming one. Jesus felt every emotion... fear, anxiety, sadness, joy and great pain. We may not understand why things are, but we know that He knows how we feel. To me, that means a lot. Be His-scott

Shaggy · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 5:30 am Post subject:

wow what an awesome topic.
thanks for sharing this Jeff. we all feel like this at times, and Steve and Sharring have given great insights on this Smile

I cant say much to add to what you blokes said but i could say this - God knows we're not perfect, but He loves us all the same, that's why we got Jesus, we are perfect in God's eyes now.

ive been looking at this verse lately:

"But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" Romans 5:20

ok i think i went slightly off the topic...but i wanted to share that Smile

jeff_osu · Tiger Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 838 Location: Oklahoma

Cool verse shaggster.