Session 3: unChristian

Chapter One
- yes i know many outsiders that i consider to be friends. about half of my friends are muslims, including one fo my best friends. we have never really had a discussion about our religions, but as far as i can tell, they respect my rreligion and i respect theirs.

- As a young man, i'm like anyother young person, we enjoy doing things that are exciting and new. As christians, the best way to get through to young people, is by doing something new and exciting to kids that still sends out the message about God.

- When i first read this question, i looked at myself as the prefect example, mainly because about half of my friends ar not christians. the best wat to prepare young christians to live in a pluralistic community is to open their eyes to more than just their community. by taking them to church, getting them active in church groups and church events.

Chapter two
- I do not agree with that statement at all. eventhough there may be some christians who might feel that all, not all of us do. i believe the reason some people may say some of those things about christians is mainly because for the past few years gay marriage and other important issues have been a big debate in the christian community. regardless of what one or two people, we ag christians no that what they are saying is not true and that is what matters the most.

- I believe that christians are known for their strong religious believe and our love for helping people. i believe this because every where around the world there are christians out there helping people. they are mainly in third world countries trying to make a difference any way they can. my church is well known in the community for helping peope and for accepting any and every one. there are different groups in the church including out youth group that try the best to help any wat we can.

- I believe the way i speak, act, and carry myself lets most people konw that i'm a christian. as a christian, when ever i'm out, i try to best to carry myself in the most respectful way i can because i believe that is the way christians are suppose to ast.

4. Chapter 9
- I believe the best way i can express my faith is in the way i carry my self and talk to outsiders about the good work of god and all the things he has done for me.

1.Chapter One
-I do know some"Outsiders".I consider them friends dispite of their relious views.I think their perspective of Christianity is that they have not been exposed to the church and its culture.So, they assume we worship only one way and want everybody to believe what we believe.

- Young people like to try to be as "unnorm" as possible. They like things that are exciting and not tradition because they are always trying to set a new trend in some way. This means that christianity today has to try new ways with the seem traditional values and beliefs to reach out to the youth in the communities and more.Events that involve kids/teens that they can have fun and still make it about the teachings of God without making anybody uncomfortable who has never stepped one foot in a church.We can help people grasp the concept that christianinty was never meant to be safe by teching the story of how Christianity begun.And more importantly the story of Jesus Christ who gived the ultimate sacrifice just for our sins. His story proves that anything worth having is worth fighting for.

- We should most definately expose the young Christians to more religions and ways of worshiping.They have to see the world even if its from their computer to community service doing outside of their comfort zone.Young Christians will always meet somebody with diffrent views of life,religion,etc.It should never be there job to force anyone to believe in God.But, to bring their friends around their church youth group and other fun stuff they may start to loosen up to the idea or not. Its up to the person. But as a Christian they can stay strong in believing in their faith and their ways of worshiping.

2.Chapter Two
- People come up with these conclusion because usually with the main social issues going on such as Gay marriages,abortions,etc Christianity does have a big part in it because most people believes it goes against the bible. While most people thingks it has nothing to do with the bible byut people natrual right to decide what they should do with their lives and not have their faith or religion questioned.Not all christians act alike and do the same things. There are christians in the kkk who beliefs are totally diffrent from my own. People usualy make assumptions of what they see and hear mostly from the media.Christians spread the word of God they never force or demean any other religion.

- Christians have shown ways to make the things they oppose by trying to resolve them.Christians are against poverty.So there are missionairies who go to 3rd world countries that lack the resources we take for granted to give out food,clothing,etc.Some build schools some educate the aldults on health and even build clinic.This has a reputation good and bad because sometimes you may have the best intentions but how you go about with your actions things dont work out. Such as, the christians who were trying to take the homeless orphans out of Haiti after the earthquake.My church is known for helping and accepting every and anybody who is ready to give their life to the lord.We do not discriminate against anyone but welcome diversity.We also help the community. With the high number of people in the city who doesnt have health insurance we fought hard raised money and built a free clinic across the street from the church for the community.My life,actions,and faith all show everydy that i am a Christian without me speaking. I have morals and by sticking through with them I have made it through some very tough times put on me by my peers and even my environment.I am a Christian who looks like grace and truth and also act like.Im never boastful,I never judge before knowing anyone. Im always trying to solve somebody's problems or i can just be a crying shoulder.I just hope for the same from others when im in need.
3.Chapters 3 – 8
- Make one observation about each chapter and post it.

4.Chapter 9
- 1.Chapter One
- Do you know any “outsiders”? Would you consider them to be friends? What do you think their perceptions are of Christianity?
- Young people don’t like to join things that seem easy, mainstream, or normal. What does that mean for Christianity today? How can we help people grasp that Christianity was never meant to be safe?
- When a young Christian interacts with the world, they are much more likely to live within a truly pluralistic generation … that is, many of their friends are not likely to be Christian. What should change, if anything, in the way we prepare young Christians to live in a pluralistic, diverse world?

2.Chapter Two
- One outsider in the research made the following comment (p. 26): “…Christian means conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe” What is your reaction to this comment? Why do people come to these conclusions?
- What are some examples of ways Christians have become known for what they oppose? What is your church known for? Why does it have that reputation?
- In what ways can your life help to redeem the term Christian? How can you be a Christian, rather than simply telling people you are one? What does a Christian who represents both truth and grace look and act like?

3.Chapters 3 – 8
- Make one observation about each chapter and post it.