Michael Ross - 10 Reasons to Stay Christian in High School: A Guide to Staying Sane, Standing Firm...and Not Looking Like a Religious Idiot

2015 by Back to the Bible

Print ISBN 978-1-63058-375-0

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63409-449-8
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63409-450-4

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION. NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

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S TART H ERE

Ever felt that outside of a few well-known stories you dont know too much about the Bible, even though youre pretty sure youre a Christian? Ever been stuck when someone asks, What does a Christian really believe? Ever felt that you couldnt let others know the real youespecially the spiritual side of you? And have you ever been frustrated because you were too afraid to reveal to others the person inside, who really does believe what the Bible says, whos convinced that the human race is more than a cosmic accident?

If you have, then youre in a massive amount of great company.

But it doesnt feel so hot, does it? Christians have struggled at times with having family and friends thinking weird thoughts about us. Our beliefs have been laughed at, our motives sometimes mistrusted, and weve felt the agony of defeat when it comes to communicating the most important thingthe most important Personin our lives. It is frustrating and demoralizing. Sometimes its depressing.

And then if people start accusing you of being bigoted or unloving to those who dont act or believe the way you do, it can get even more discouraging.

Whats the answer?

Its not enough to just know a few basic facts abour our faith; we need to believe them and live them every day. Thata the goal of this book.

Weve filled these pages with plenty of Bible wisdom, facts, advice, and tips that will help you do one thing with confidence: show others that youre a real person with real beliefs about a God who is crazy about youand them. Consider this your guide to staying sane when it feels as if everyone else has jumped off the deep end!

And to help you stand confidently for what you believe, weve identified ten hot-button faith issues along with insights on why Christ-followers hold certain beliefsor what we call your ten reasons to stay Christian in high school.

When you start reading these pages, youll see that were hitting two main areas where Christians are viewed as not having much to sayin the classroom and in our lives.

I N THE C LASSROOM

We want you to know what to say, as well as how to say it, when your faith is challenged by teachers or classmates. Though its not important to be a Bible answer person, there really are answers to tough questions about what we believe. About half of this book will give you the tools you need to help you be understood. We identify situations where Christian students are commonly challenged (and sometimes ridiculed) for their faith, and we paint several real-life scenarios about public school life to give you a good start when it comes to verbally defendingor simply explainingthe real you.

Realize that theres a difference between being understood and being believed. Helping others understand where youre coming from is your responsibility. Getting someone to believe is up to God. Its His job to bring others into a relationship with Him; its our job to represent Him as best we can.

I N Y OUR L IFE

As a Christian, being understood is only half the battle. You see, many outside the church will not be too impressed with your great logic and well-thought-through answers to the tough issues of faith. To quote an old phrase: they want to see a sermon rather than hear one. And the way you live your life will speak louder than any perfectly delivered speech.

The fact is, some Christians are misunderstood because their lives dont come close to matching what they say they believe about God and the Bible. And though the Bible makes it clear that none of us can bat 1.000, people want to see the heart of a believer. They wont be able to relate to a perfect lifestyle, so dont put moral perfection on your checklist. But they will be attracted to a genuine heart. A good heart that cares for others will get them to ask questions. And when they do, wouldnt it be nice to have a few answers? Our dilemma is that many of us treat ourselves or others poorly, were judgmental, and we honestly dont have a clue about what our lives are actually communicating.

This job of living what we believe is a lifetime assignment. We cut ourselves slack because we know God does. We arent scared off by lingering doubts because we know God isnt. And we dont give up on people because we know God never will.

What is the next step you need to take toward becoming more like Jesus Christ? Thats what God wants you to ask yourself. Its one rung up the ladder at a time. No leaps and bounds needed or expected.

So join us, and discover your ten reasons to stay Christian in high school.

Nothing Makes Sense If Were a Cosmic Accident

I (Mike) was heading through the supermarket checkout lane awhile back whenpow!a headline from one of those crazy tabloids jumped right off the page at me: Stunning New Scientific Evidence Proves Man Descended from the Flea.

Say what? I gasped. Evidence? Proof? Who actually believes this stuff?

Then a chilling thought shot through my mind. Every day in classrooms across the country, students just like you are having their own close encounters of the equally weird kind.

Check out this scenario: Professor Petridish, your first-period science teacher, points to a big chart showing a hairy, apelike creature evolving into a hairless bodybuilder.