Chapter 7: Fundamental Facts

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover:

· Reasons why unbelievers ask questions of Christians.

· The major differences between Christianity and other
religions.

· Some misconceptions about our heavenly Father.


AS A RESULT, you will be able to:

· Listen carefully to questions to discern motives.

· Articulate your reasons for being a Christian.

· Replace misconceptions with God’s truth in Scripture.

Reading: Living on the Devil’s Doorstep, pp. 180-88; Bringin’ ‘Em Back Alive, pp. 92-94.

Key Scripture: “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Scripture says very little about Jesus’ childhood. In fact, only one incident is recorded after the nativity passages. It occurred after the family’s annual visit to the temple in Jerusalem. The Feast of the Passover had ended, and everyone was on the journey home. Since children often walked with other children or family members, Mary and Joseph traveled a whole day before discovering that their son was missing.

After frantically searching for three days, they found twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple courts. He was seated in the midst of the teachers listening attentively to the older men. Any questions directed to Him were answered politely and with great insight. Moreover, the questions Jesus asked were pertinent and probing. Surely these theological giants must have been impressed by the composure and wisdom of such a young person (Luke 2:41-47). In the last reference to His boyhood, we are told that He grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with both God and other people (v. 52).

Jesus the Teacher

In the Gospels, the title most frequently ascribed to Jesus is “Teacher” (Matt. 8:19; Mark 4:38; Luke 10:25; John 8:4). As a teacher, Jesus used methods that would open the minds and hearts of His hearers and make them receptive to the truth. One effective way He used to get others talking was to ask questions. He knew that a well thought-out question dropped into the conversation would bring previously hidden thoughts to the surface. On one occasion Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and further, “Who do you say I am?” (Matt. 16:13, 15). The answer was Peter’s famous confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16).

His questions also served to clarify the values of His listeners. Questions and answers always flowed naturally in His conversations. When the rich young man asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus replied with another question, “Why do you ask me about what is good?” (Matt. 19:16-17). Although the young man indicated that he had kept all the commandments, Jesus perceptively pinpointed his spiritual obstacle — material wealth. Refusing to sell his possessions and follow Jesus, the young man departed from Jesus.

Teaching Through Questions

We, too, should follow the example of Jesus and interject pertinent questions into informal conversation — perhaps with amazing results. The following list includes some “friendly” questions to ask:

· Are you interested in spiritual things?

· What do you think of Jesus?

· Have you ever heard the gospel?

· Do you have a Christian background?

· Do you go to church?

· Do you see yourself as a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness?

· What reason could you give Jesus for allowing you into heaven?

It’s important to remember that we are witnessing, not preaching or doing investigative reporting. Since any question should be asked in the context of the conversation, listen carefully to what the other person is saying. More importantly, listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction, for some questions are not meant to be asked in a particular situation. We cannot rely on the intellect to lead a person to Christ. Only the Holy Spirit’s conviction can result in conversion.

In conversation, both participants ask questions, give answers, and make statements. By careful listening, Christians can learn much from unbelievers. The kind of questions they ask often gives away their position or motivation. People ask questions for various reasons, and some may not really want answers. Their questions may be designed to test Christians for openness in discussing their faith — or perhaps to plumb the depths of the believer’s faith. Others may ask one question after the other, deliberately interrupting answers to hamper witnessing. Some use difficult theological questions as a smokescreen in the hope of confusing the issue. Thankfully, some ask because their hunger for the truth makes them genuinely interested in answers.

By discerning the motives behind questions, we can deal with underlying issues. Then we will know how much time and effort should be spent in giving an answer. For those inquiries with an ulterior motive, we need not go into great detail. But whether the unbeliever is truly seeking an answer or merely trying to prove a point, we are called to graciousness. We must take time to listen — taking neither an offensive or defensive attitude (Titus 3:9). Many people have been turned away from Christ by offensive Christians.

Instead of attempting to convince unbelievers, we can challenge them to consider honestly the claims of Christ found in Scripture. We should leave unbelievers with the knowledge that Christianity is a historically-rooted faith. Because it is reasonable, practical, and supernatural, our faith offers valid answers to the world’s problems.

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. As a youth, Jesus asked irrelevant questions to sidetrack the religious teachers. [See above]

2. Discussing intellectual questions cannot take the place of the of the Holy Spirit. [See above]

3. True or False. Unbelievers always ask many questions because they want to know the truth. [See above]

4. True or False. Some unbelievers ask difficult theological questions to hamper witnessing. [See above]

5. Knowing the behind the question helps to determine the amount of time to spend on an answer. [See above]

6. Christianity is a very (impractical, practical) faith. [See above]

7. True or False. Jesus was able to respond to the needs of others because He listened. [BBA, 93]

8. We represent a Savior who is able to meet individual needs. [BBA, 93]

9. Sometimes we must (assume, earn) the right to speak by giving an unbeliever a listening ear. [BBA, 94]

Further Study: Read “The Rich Young Ruler,” IBC, pp. 1170-71.

Mission in Action: When Floyd and Sally McClung moved into the city of Amsterdam, their children were exposed prematurely to the sordidness of the city. They asked many questions concerning the sexual behavior of their neighbors. God came to the parents’ rescue with insight and ways of sharing the truth. The McClungs learned to allow the children’s questions to guide them as to the depth of their answers (LDD, pp. 180-82). You can use the same strategy as you witness to unbelievers or “babies in the Lord.” Ask the Lord to help you to know not only what to share, but how much. Bite-size pieces of the gospel can be digested more easily than giant helpings of theology.

Reading: Living on the Devil’s Doorstep, pp. 189-99.

Key Scripture: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Jesus went out into the community conversing with the people He met in everyday situations. These were not contrived situations in which He manipulated His hearers. Instead, He often allowed them to set the tone of the conversation by the questions they asked. Their questions ranged from “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” (Matt. 15:2) to “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Matt. 19:3). In every case, He used their questions to teach great truths. The majority of their questions revolved around the Mosaic law and rabbinic tradition.

People have changed little over the centuries. Neighbors and coworkers still have a number of questions about Christianity which they seemingly ask over and over. Six of the most frequently asked questions appear below:

Is Jesus the Only Way to God?

This question strikes at the heart of the Christian faith. Peter declared in the book of Acts: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (4:12). Unbelievers need to be made aware that Christians have simply repeated the claims that Jesus made for Himself. He claimed to be:

· God the Son (John 5:19-23)

· Omnipotent (Rev. 1:18; 3:7)

· Omniscient (John 8:58)

· Fully man (John 4:7-8)

· Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Rev. 3:14)

· Worthy of worship (John 9:38)

· Eternal (Rev. 22:13)

· The Savior (Luke 19:10)

Of all the founders of the world’s great religions, only Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. His claims have since been proven time and again. In fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus was beaten and crucified (Isa. 53:5-9; Luke 24:26) and was raised in three days (v. 46). After His resurrection Christ was seen by His disciples and at least five hundred others (1 Cor. 15:5-8). His resurrection body was physical as well as spiritual; yet it was different, for He could disappear at will (Luke 24:31) and later appear in a closed room (vv. 36-37).

If, after studying Scripture, we determine that Jesus truly is who He claimed to be, then we must conclude that He alone is the way to salvation. When a Christian emphatically states that fact, an unbeliever is likely to raise other related questions such as: What about the heathen who have never heard of Jesus? What will happen to them? Are they saved or lost?

What About the Heathen?

Have you been asked, “Would God send people to hell who have never heard of Christ?” Our answer must be a resounding NO. People are not judged for what they do not know; judgment is made on the basis of what they do know (Rom. 1:19-20). A person living in America who has had spiritual privileges will be judged according to the gospel of Jesus and everything in the Bible. But an uncivilized person living in the wilds of the Amazon will be judged only according to what the Lord has revealed to his or her mind and heart. The heathen seemingly will be brought to account on the basis of conscience only (Rom. 2:14-15).

We can be assured that God has always been concerned with the heathen as individuals and as nations. The account of Jonah’s mission to the Ninevites is a prime example. God sent His prophet to witness to the wicked Assyrians. Jonah’s sermon was short and to the point: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” (3:4). As a result, the Ninevites believed God and repented. More than one hundred twenty thousand people were saved that day. God cared enough to send the rebellious prophet Jonah to warn them of imminent doom.

The book of Joshua tells of the prostitute Rahab who lived in the city of Jericho (2:1-21). God spared her and her family from death when the city was destroyed (6:22-25). Later, Rahab’s godly son Boaz married Ruth, whose homeland in Moab was notorious for idol worship. The New Testament highlights both of these women from heathen backgrounds in the genealogy of Jesus our Lord (Matt. 1:5). God continually presents Himself to the heathen to save them from eternal punishment.

And that brings us to the question of eternity. It seems that people are more inclined to believe in heaven than in hell. Even some Christians may wonder if hell is real.

Is There a Literal Hell?

If our answer to an unbeliever is yes, then his or her next question will probably be: “Why would a good God send people to hell?” The answer is clear. God does not send anyone to hell; going to hell is the personal choice of the unbeliever. Over the course of a lifetime, a person may choose either life or death. God’s will is that people choose life. “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek. 33:11).

Descriptions of hell are scattered throughout Scripture. Daniel spoke of the “shame and everlasting contempt” (12:2) suffered by those who are lost. Jesus described it as “darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12). He also stated that a great chasm separates heaven and hell and that agonizing memories produce emotional and psychological torment (Luke 16:23-26). Paul spoke of the worst punishment of all — eternal separation from an all-loving and all-powerful God (2 Thess. 1:9). Finally, John saw a lake of fire: “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).

In recent years many people have testified of dying and then being resuscitated. Some were allowed to view heaven and a few glimpsed hell, but all of them had a life-changing experience. Even though their encounters do not prove life after death, they do give credence to the biblical claims of heaven and hell.

Without the covering of the redemptive blood of Christ, every person must stand in judgment for his or her own sins. Since God is holy and abhors sin, people condemn themselves as they stand before Him without an advocate. For the Christian, our heavenly lawyer Jesus Christ pleads our case before the Father. Those who have chosen life through Christ will be rewarded in heaven; only those who do not belong to Him will be sentenced to hell.

Meanwhile, God continually reaches out to lost people. He reveals Himself through nature and provides for their physical and emotional needs. God sends evangelists not only to warn unbelievers about the coming judgment but also to encourage them to accept the eternal gospel. The concept of hell is too terrible for the human mind to comprehend. We can conclude, however, that hell is real. And once a person decides that eternal life is probable with either punishment or reward, his or her next logical question would concern the suffering of good people on earth today.

Why Do the Innocent Suffer?

While the Bible has no easy answers to this question, it does suggest some possible ones. The innocent may suffer because of:

· Deliberate sin. Starving children may be the result of families broken and separated by war. A child may suffer irreparable damage because of the deliberate abuse or neglect of parents or others.

· Ignorance. An accident victim suffering a broken neck is picked up by a “helpful” bystander, inadvertently causing permanent damage. A semi-illiterate person misreads the medicine label and accidentally overdoses.

· Natural laws. A child burned while playing with matches discovers that helpful fire can also be dangerous. The law of gravity works against a person who falls down the steps.

· Individual freedom. People have the freedom to rebel against God, thereby causing damage to themselves and others. Homosexual and heterosexual promiscuity has helped to spread the AIDS virus.

· Man-made sickness. Innocent babies may be born of mothers infected with AIDS. Coal miners often die young because of black lung and cotton mill workers because of brown lung.

· Foolishness. Because cows and rats are sacred in India, that country suffers from poverty and disease. A smoking parent foolishly subjects a child to lung cancer through “secondhand” smoke.

· Satan. This powerful supernatural being delights in hurting people and in trying to turn them away from God. Satan uses other people or fleshly temptations to entrap Christians.

· Suffering for others. Those who speak out on behalf of the innocent, such as unborn babies, may be persecuted. In a totalitarian country a Christian pastor may become a martyr for his Lord.

· God’s plan. Since both our character and physical body are made strong through adversity, God allows us to endure suffering. The writer of Hebrews reminded us that “the Lord disciplines those he loves” (12:6).

We do not live in a just world; the wicked are not always punished, and the innocent often suffer. Suffering came into the world when our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned. In the beginning, God gave His creations free will to choose good or evil.

Unbelievers may quickly point out the obvious goodness of the founders of other great religions. They may elaborate some positive aspects of other faiths, which are comparable to Christianity. And no doubt, they know some fine moral people who are not Christians. Their conclusion is that their sincerity toward their faith is the key to salvation. Quite naturally they assume that all religions are basically the same.

Aren’t All Religions the Same?

The best answer to this question is to compare the method of salvation in each faith. To determine the counterfeits, we must first look at the genuine article.

CHRISTIANITY. The Bible teaches that salvation comes from God through His son Jesus. His greatest intervention in the history of humanity was through the Incarnation and Atonement. In His infinite compassion, the Father allowed Jesus to die in our place. Through His death and resurrection we are given the promise of eternal life. Since our salvation is one of grace, we must simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, for no believer can earn such unmerited favor. Through salvation, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously and to please the Father.

HINDUISM. One of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism has its roots deep in India. Its devotees believe that Brahman, the supreme reality or world soul, is eternal and indescribable. Hinduism teaches that people can realize their fundamental unity with Brahman through disciplining their body and mind. The four yogas, or paths to liberation, focus on developing intense religious devotion, meditating, studying scripture and philosophy, and offering the fruit of their daily labor to God. Hindus believe that, after cleansing themselves of desire and ignorance through many incarnations, they can eventually escape the interminable cycle of birth, suffering, old age, and death.

BUDDHISM. Siddhartha Gautama — who came to be known as the Buddha (“The Awakened One”) — was born in India in the sixth century b.c. Disagreeing with some of the basic tenets of Hinduism, Buddha criticized animal sacrifice and denied that the human soul is a spiritual substance. He declared that life is inseparable from suffering, but taught that suffering can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path to Nirvana. This highest destiny of the human spirit is a state in which desire — and therefore suffering — are extinguished. Nirvana, then, is neither heaven (a place) nor God (a personality).

CONFUCIANISM. During the same historical period as Buddha, Confucius became an influential philosopher in China. Confucius conceived of heaven and earth as a continuum. Humanity, which he considered basically good, could attain harmony with heaven by expressing compassion, honoring relationships, venerating ancestors, and manifesting propriety and decorum in their social interactions and personal life.

ISLAM. About six hundred years after Christ was born, the monotheistic religion of Islam arose. Its founder Muhammad authored Islam’s holy scripture, the Koran, over a period of two decades. Muslims consider Muhammad as the “seal” of the prophetic tradition — a tradition that includes such figures as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. In the same way, the Koran is the final and definitive scriptural revelation of God, taking precedence over the scriptures of Judaism and Christianity. Salvation within Islam is based on works, not grace. Paradise awaits a Muslim whose good works outweigh their bad. But hell is the punishment for those whose scale tilts toward evil. However, there is a shortcut to salvation. To be killed in a holy war (any war fought with non-Muslims or infidels) assures the victim of instant transport to heaven.

While each of these religions contains aspects of universal truth, only Christianity offers salvation through faith and not works. Another significant difference between Christianity and the other world religions is the assurance of a personal relationship with Almighty God. Moreover, the founders of every other religion have died. Only Christ has been raised from death to life. Therefore, only Christianity offers the hope of eternal life to its followers.

Although there are no requirements other than faith for a Christian’s salvation, those who have accepted Christ have a responsibility to obey Christ’s commandments. But because of the lack of response to the Spirit’s leading due to the unwillingness of the old nature to give up its rights, most Christians do not mature fully. One of the major criticisms of the church today is that of hypocrisy.

What About All the Hypocrites?

The word “hypocrite” is found in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and is uttered only by Jesus Himself. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus used the word to mean “actor.” He criticized the religious “actors” who loudly announced their gifts in the synagogue and feigned piety in their public prayers (Matt. 6:2-5). These same Pharisees rationalized the rightness of their position and actions and thereby were blinded to their own errors. Jesus likewise considers us hypocrites when we judge others according to a standard that we ourselves can’t live up to (7:1-5).

One of the most frequently used rationalizations for not becoming a Christian is the accusation that the church is full of hypocrites. This excuse is also used by some Christians for their absence from services and for neglecting to support their local church. But hypocrites are not confined to the church. Many people are hypocritical in both their personal and public lives. Consider the politician who promises to cut government spending during his campaign, yet once in office votes for a large salary increase for himself and other congressmen. Or consider the businessman who advertises a “quality” product, which self-destructs once the warranty runs out. Or the “Woman of the Year,” who has chaired so many committees that she has totally neglected her family.

For the Christian, Jesus should be the focus and role model. He is genuine, and charges of hypocrisy cannot invalidate that. We are called to follow the genuine and ignore the counterfeit. “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17). Those who know the difference between the authentic and the counterfeit have a responsibility to be role models to other Christians and their unbelieving friends.

Key Concepts: [All answers above]

1. Many of the questions asked of Jesus concerned law and rabbinic tradition.

2. Christ appeared to (12, 500) people after His resurrection.

3. Uncivilized peoples (will, will not) be judged by the same standard as American Christians.

4. True or False. Paul considered eternal separation from God as the worst possible punishment.

5. True or False. Natural laws can work against the innocent, causing them to suffer.

6. It is (sometimes, never) in God’s plan for a person to endure adversity.

7. The greatest difference between Christianity and other faiths is in their methods of .

8. True or False. Nirvana is another name for heaven.

9. True or False. Since Muslims and Christians are monotheists, both groups can enjoy a personal relationship with God.

10. True or False. Hypocrites congregate only in the local church.

Further Study: Read “Son of God” and “Son of Man,” pp. 957-58 in the NIDB; also “Note on ‘Hypocrite,’ ” IBC, pp. 1128-29.

Mission in Action: The ministry in Amsterdam was undergirded with intercessory prayer. John Goodfellow led small teams around the city, stopping at every point where dramas or gospel messages were to be presented. The teams carried on spiritual warfare through prayer. As a result, their efforts at witnessing were successful. Today, as you walk or jog around your neighborhood, intercede for your neighbors, children in a local day-care center, teachers and students in a nearby school, or others whom you know have special needs.

Reading: Living on the Devil’s Doorstep, pp. 200-210.

Key Scripture: “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

Andy, a young man of eighteen, was attempting to get his point across to a very patient father. “Don’t you understand, Dad. I don’t want to waste my life hanging around here. This place is dead — no excitement — nothing! Besides, I’ve got the money Mom left for me.”

“That money was set aside for college. Son, have you thought about the consequences? Are you sure this is what you want?” his dad asked. Andy remained stonefaced as his father added softly, “If you ever need me, I’ll be here.”

Andy’s first purchase was a high performance sports car in which he headed east toward New Orleans. Even the city’s name sounded exciting — and it was! Andy had never seen so many bars and sumptuous restaurants. And there were fast, classy women who thought he was witty and charming. Andy never realized that making friends was so easy. And why not? He was witty and charming — and very generous with his money. Andy enjoyed this “good life” for months. But during one of his frequent parties, he loaned his car to a friend to get more beer. That was the last time Andy saw his car or his friend. It was tough having no transportation, but he still had money. Then one night after he had too much to drink, Andy was robbed. He woke up the next morning with no money, no friends, and no place to go!

For a while Andy panhandled, which was really degrading. Several times when he was very hungry, he ate food scraps discarded behind restaurants where he had once dined. Now winter was coming, and the doorways where he huddled failed to keep him warm. One chilly day Andy came upon some Christians who were directing all the homeless to a shelter. He would even endure listening to a sermon if he could just eat a hot meal and get warm.

To Andy’s surprise there was no sermon, but everyone was given a small religious tract. That night lying on an old cot he pulled out the tract and read: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms” (John 14:1-3). Suddenly Andy thought of his dad. . . . After finally talking someone into letting him place a collect call, Andy trembled as the operator asked politely: “Will you accept a call from Andy Kingston?”

“Son, where are you?”

Andy plunged right in — “I’m in New Orleans at a homeless shelter. Dad, I’m so sorry.” His voice broke, “Could I come home? I really miss you!” With that he broke down and cried like a baby.

“Andy, I’ve been waiting for this. Now give me the details so I can wire you money to come home. I can’t wait to see you. . . .” As the grateful father hung up the phone, Andy heard him whisper, “Thank you, Jesus.”

This modern prodigal was met by the open arms of his loving father. Long ago Jesus told the original story of a wayward son to demonstrate the depths of our heavenly Father’s love for His lost children (Luke 15:11-32). To help us understand more fully God’s unfathomable love, insights from Floyd McClung’s inspiring book, The Father Heart of God, follow.

The Forgiving Father

Three specific principles stand out in Jesus’ story of the prodigal (pp. 114-18):

· The father loved his son enough to let him leave home.

· The father loved his son so deeply that he watched every day for him to return home.

· The father loved his son so much that when he did return home he did not condemn his son for his wrong actions, but he forgave him and celebrated his return with a great feast.

God looks into our hearts and reveals our innermost thoughts. He has endless compassion toward those who acknowledge their dependence on Him — offering great security to all who sincerely desire to be a part of His family. Our loving Father’s forgiving attitude should not be mistaken for weakness, for God is still all-powerful. There is great strength in the love of the only perfect Parent.

The Perfect Parent

Our concepts of God are formed early in life. Authority figures and our resulting relationships with them are powerful shapers of values — and most importantly — our ideas about God. Although God is the perfect parent, the frailty of our human parents may evoke the following misconceptions:

God is a schoolmaster who sits in heaven waiting for us to make a mistake.

Parents who abuse their authority by nagging and scolding cause children to perceive God this way. But the psalmist Asaph saw God in an entirely different light. He portrayed God as our Friend and Counselor (Ps. 73:23-24).

God cannot be trusted.

Children who have been deserted, orphaned, or abused feel that no authority figure can be trusted. Yet God is the only Parent who will never fail us. The psalmist David declared that He is Father to the fatherless (Ps. 68:5-6).

There is no absolute truth.

When values clarification is taught in schools and endorsed by parents, children have no concept of right and wrong. God alone gives us a divine measure; His values differ from human values (2 Tim. 2:18-19).

God is not loving.

A lack of affection damages a child’s emotions, making him or her hard and suspicious. Boys often receive little affection from their fathers who tell them not to cry when they are hurt. Contrarily, God is the Father of love (John 16:27) and shows affection for His children in His daily blessings.

God does not care about us as individuals.

The absence of the parent or a lack of attention gives a child the impression that he or she is not important. But our heavenly Father gives us His undivided attention (1 Peter 5:7).

I can never be good enough to be acceptable to God.

Not being accepted by a parent makes a child question his acceptability to God. Our Lord, however, states exactly the opposite: God loves each of us unconditionally (Zeph. 3:17).

God is too far removed to communicate with humans.

A break in communication with an earthly parent hampers communication with the heavenly Father. A child may feel that prayers won’t be answered. But God has provided the perfect bridge between God and man — Jesus Christ (John 3:16) (adapted from pp. 23-33).

Since none of us have perfect parents, we may suffer from one or more of these misconceptions. As we discover that we hold them, we can approach our heavenly Father with confidence, knowing that as we follow these steps He is willing and able to make us whole (pp. 58-74):

1. Acknowledge Your Need of Healing

2. Confess Your Negative Emotions

3. Forgive Those Who Have Hurt You

4. Receive Forgiveness

5. Receive the Father’s Love

6. Think God’s Thoughts

7. Endure

Attaining a Favorable Atmosphere

Though healing is often a slow process, it will occur if we persevere. Then, as we mature, we can create new and healthy atmospheres for ourselves and others. As God’s love flows through us to minister to other people, we will mature spiritually and emotionally — all the while revealing His tender heart to a hurting world. It is possible to create favorable atmospheres by using the methods that follow (pp. 134-36):

We create an atmosphere for spiritual growth through the love and trust we share with other people.

We create an atmosphere of belonging by including others in important decisions.

We create an atmosphere of responsibility by trusting others.

We create an atmosphere of compassion through our courtesy and kindness.

We create an atmosphere of godliness and spiritual reality by meditating regularly on God’s Word and by practicing a personal worship of God.

We create an atmosphere of faith and vision by seeing needs and discerning God’s response to the need.

We create an atmosphere of generosity by giving to other people.

We create an atmosphere of righteousness by acknowledging God’s power for every situation.

We create an atmosphere of human value and worth by taking time to listen.

We create an atmosphere of self-esteem by affirming and encouraging others.

We create an atmosphere of comfort by caring when others are hurt.

We create an atmosphere of team unity by sincerely desiring to involve others in ministry, praying that their works will be greater than ours.

We create an atmosphere of joy and peace by expressing our thankfulness and gratefulness to God in every situation.

We create an atmosphere of security by recognizing the good and the potential in others.

We create an atmosphere of obedience to God by valuing His standards more than man’s.

We create an atmosphere of loyalty by never criticizing others.

We create an atmosphere of faith by telling of the greatness of God.

We create an atmosphere of honesty by admitting our weaknesses and asking for forgiveness for our wrongs.


Key Concepts: [All answers above]

1. The story of the prodigal son demonstrates the depths of our heavenly Father’s (judgment, love).

2. True or False. Loving our children sometimes means letting them go.

3. Our earliest ideas about God come directly from (the Bible, authority figures).

4. Rather than thinking of God as a schoolmaster, we should consider Him as a Counselor and ____________________.

5. Children who have been deserted, orphaned, or abused usually (do, do not) have trouble trusting God.

6. True or False. Values clarification teaches children to clarify their values according to the Bible.

7. God’s love for His children is always (conditional, unconditional).

8. The bridge of communication between God and man is .

9. As we discover any misconceptions about God, we should first confess our negative emotions to our (pastor, Father).

10. (Honesty, Unity) is promoted by involving others in ministry.

Further Study: “(iii.) The Prodigal Son,” IBC, p. 1214.

Mission in Action: Using their dog Pooh as an icebreaker, Sally and Floyd finally exchanged a few words with Else, the young prostitute next door. After speaking to Else many times in passing, Sally used a Dutch birthday custom as an excuse to invite Else over for tea. Because of Sally’s hospitality, Else’s reserve melted, and she told Sally the sad story of her life (LDD, pp. 205-6). Are there some hurting people with whom you have an acquaintance? Perhaps you could use a holiday or special occasion to invite them over, allowing them to see you as a warm, caring person.