1. Do not judge them.
2. Listen.
3. Stop quoting scripture everytime someone ask a question; try to understand and try to speak in a way that the individual will understand you.
4. Remind them that you are human and not perfect.
5. Do not act as if you are perfect and holier than thou.
6. Ask what is bothering them, or if there is anything they want to talk about.
7. Understand that young people are a new generation, or might be at a different level when it comes to their faith (they are babies, just now entering into the world of christianity).
8. Do not forget where you have come from and where you have been.
Thid is especially helpful if someone is thinking about turning their life around and getting more involved in the church. Have you ever had a friend become so religious that she/he is all of a sudden too good to even call you and say hello. Is this what God would have wanted. If you are trying to do what God would have you do, then why turn your back on a friend, no matter what he/she is about. I always thought a good Christian was about treating others as you would have them treat you, turn the other cheek, etc. I grew up in the church, my grandparents were christians, my parents instilled the christian values in us. I have, or had a close friend who hardly ever went to church;she suddenly became saved and too good to be in my company, or anyone elses who was not attending the same church/religous services as herself. Is this being a true christian. I feel it can be a turn-off for those who are just beginning to turn their lives around. Not for me, because I know I am a child of God and he loves me. For someone who is weak, this could be a total turn-off. Remember, no one is perfect. No one on earth is God. We are all sinners. God forgave us; he died for our sins, what makes you so perfect?
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Saturday, September 6th 2008 at 10:53PM
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