In conclusion, I think that this blogging experience has seriously changed the way that I view going to church on Sunday and what I think about those who do go to church every Sunday. I used to think that the people who are avid churchgoers thought of themselves as being better than others. That is absolutely not the case. People need to share their experience with others and in a way, prove that they are true Christians. I am very thankful for Shane being so adamant about why it is so important to go to church to show your belief. Church is more than just a building, it is a place for worship and is a place for people to get together and show their love for God, also to build a relationship with others who attend the church as well. “it's impossible to answer the question "What is a Christian?" without ending up in a conversation about the church; at least, in the Bible it is (Dever)."
Previously, I thought that being in a personal relationship with God could be private, and no one else needed to be involved, or even have any knowledge of the relationship. I now know that it is important to be able to voice your belief and church is a way that you can show God your belief. This is not to say that you have to think that your belief is the only belief. You also have to be able to accept others as people, and give them a chance to see things our way, respecting their choice.
Work Cited
Paster Dever, Mark. “The Church: A Family, a Fellowship and the Body of Jesus Christ.” Christianity.com. Salem Web Network, 16 Jan 2009.
Web. 3 March 2010.
I have a heard a surprisingly large number of sermons entitled, “The Most Important Sermon I could Ever Preach.” The most recent one I heard with this title was given in my hometown of Balsam, MN. The preacher was a seventeen-year old pastor's kid. It was the first message he had ever given, and, to his credit, it was well grounded in Scripture and well presented. I mention this because, too many average people that I come into contact with seem to think radical living is only for seminary graduates. Granted, this kid had been raised well and received much insight from his parents; however, the “most important sermon [he] could ever preach” was to READ YOUR BIBLE. This is the point I have been trying to the whole time - we cannot know God without getting-to-know God. This simple realization separated him from any other seventeen-year old I have ever met, and is the key to a life dedicated to God.
ReplyDeleteAfter doing the work needed for this blog, no matter what the grade is, I would have to say that this is a success. I believe all three of us grew in our faith in our own way. I mean all three of us started out sitting in a library making jokes about being pulled over by cops up north, and now we have had Paula saying that she will try to attend church, my getting closer with God through reading Bible verses, and Shane being able to show me and Paula the true meaning behind having God and church in your life.
ReplyDeleteTo quote a song from the musical Wicked, "I've heard it said, that people come into our lives, for a reason, bringing something we must learn." All three of us were brought together for a reason. Yes to do this blog for class, but there was a friend of ours who loves us with everything He has who had better plans. He knew from the beginning that we were going to help each other's faith grow and prosper.