11/07/09: Ever want to ask about something a little embarrassing? Tonight, Kaio had a private text line to the stage where questions could be sent to our esteemed panel of “answer-ers”, Pastor Jeff, Ms. Stacey, and Charlie Mitchell. Some of the questions were really tough, all were good. For this week’s wrap up, here of most of the questions discussed:
(1) Q: Just how far is “too far” for the unmarried? (Ms. Stacey) A: If you cover it with clothing, it shouldn’t be touched.
(2) Q: Why did God put the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden? (Charlie) A: First, God is a gentlemen, and he allowed a choice, he gave them (and gives us) a choice.
(3) Q: Why do parents give “the talk” when we already know? (Ms. Stacey) A: First, this is probably the hardest thing for your parents to talk to you about, but it’s their responsibility, and they want to make sure you have the right story and all the correct facts.
(4) Q: What do you do if you hang out with pretty sinful friends, and you are worried about their reaction to the fact that you are a Christian? (Pastor Jeff) A: To be blunt, get yourself some new friends! Once you become a Christian there should be some separation there. (And might the editor add, much like headlights on a dark road, your light will naturally make their darkness noticeable and uncomfortable.)
(5) Q: Why does the Bible sometimes use the word “us” when talking about one God? (Charlie) A: The Trinity: God is Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit (one God, three persons).
(6) Q: How do you start to explain God to an Atheist? (Shasta – from California) A: It’s not about arguing. First, make sure you know your Bible, you can’t talk about what you don’t know. Let them approach you and ask you the questions, and when/if they do, you can give them a Godly viewpoint. Second, build a relationship… be a real friend to them.
(7) Q: How do you start a “good relationship”? (Ms. Stacey) A: With a friendship! But be careful not to get into a serious relationship when you’re only in highschool. You only get to be a teenager once, you have your whole life to be in a relationship and married. Don’t get consumed with a boyfriend/girlfriend and miss out on everything else.
(8) Q: What about cutting…? A: (I Cor. 6:19-20) “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
(9) Q: If God doesn’t want us (as teenagers) to have sex, then why did he give us so many hormones? (Ms. Stacey) A: It says in the Bible “do not awaken those desires until it’s time” (paraphrase of Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4). God gives us parameters because it’s an emotional and physical bond that was created specifically for marriage. If you step outside of God’s parameters, is it too late for you? Absolutely not, but it’s important to pull yourself back and not cross it again.
(10) Q: How do I deal with difficult (life) decisions? (Pastor Jeff) A: You know, Pastors do not exist to tell you exactly what to do. When people come for advice, the very first thing I say is “Have you prayed about this? Have you searched scripture?” and 9 out of 10 times, they haven’t. As a Pastor, my job is confirm and re-affirm what God has spoken to you. (To answer the question: Pray about it, ask God, and search the Bible.)
(11) Q: What will happen leading up to the coming of God? (Charlie) A: The Bible says He will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2), so make sure you are prepared!
(12) Q: I’m a bisexual person who has feelings for the same sex; is that right? (Ms. Stacey) A: (According to the Bible) Any type of homosexuality is wrong and sin in God’s eyes. God actually destroyed an entire city because of this same sin. (That being said) It’s a sin no greater or lesser than other sin: lies, pride, stealing, and so on. Sin is sin, and keeps you from having relationship with God, so you need to deal with sin in your life – whatever sin it might be. Pray that God will help you see, help you take into captivity those thoughts, and move beyond sin.
(13) Q: I’m 17 and my girlfriend is 15 and pregnant. Should we consider abortion? How can we support this child? (Pastor Jeff) A: It was a mistake, yes, but out of that is a life. We believe that taking that life would be just like murder. Allow that child to live (and may the editor add that if raising the child is out of the question, adoption is always an option… there are a lot of great people out there who desperately want to have children, who can’t have kids on their own, who would make a loving home for that child).