March 19, 2001
FAMILY MATTERS:
Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek truth
___Some of my friends at school are Mormon, Buddhist and Hindu. They all believe as strongly as I do. How can I know there really is a God?
DEBBIE CHISOLM
Minister to Students
Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas
___We live in a world that is a melting pot of traditions and teachings. Because America truly is a land of opportunity, the world has come to call this place home. We are a diverse people, and there is no better evidence of this than in our schools.
___Mormons, Buddhists and Hindus all believe in "God." I think what you're asking is how you can know if what you believe "about God" is true.
___Our first beliefs come from our family and our church. The same is true for your friends. Their family and church taught what they believe about God to them. As a child, your faith really isn't yours, but when you get old enough to ask questions and search for Truth, then your faith begins to belong to you, and that's a very good thing.
___As Christians, we believe God is a personal God who from the very beginning wanted to be known intimately.
___We come to know God through Scripture, through creation, through the church, through prayer and through the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
___But your friends would say many of the same things. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in. Jesus said the Spirit would teach us, convict us and reveal God to us.
___There's a wonderful Bible study called "Experiencing God." In it, you will learn about spiritual markers, which are encounters with God where we learn a truth about God--a truth that is confirmed in Scripture and the church but is learned from personal experience.
___Some of your friends believe in many gods. Some believe God is found only in creation, and some believe there is no heaven and some believe ...
___Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek Truth. Talk to your pastor. Talk to your parents. Read the Bible. But more than anything, ask God!
___God wants you to know the Truth.
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!
