I am thinking of trying to attract the attention of fellow christians at my high school, but the thing is that Australia isnt religious. It is my main fear that me, and my friend Neil, will get critisised. Can anyone help?
Jesus said we would be criticized for our faith, but we would be rewarded for it in heaven. let them talk...pray over it. god will provided an answer. ill be praying for you two!
one last thing, its fine that australia isnt religious because christianity isnt a religion....its a relationship with Jesus.
check out the topic named, "how do i start a student led prayer group". some of those tips may help :)
And Australia is the most Christian continent i know of! im serious, ive been wanting to go there for yearsss cuz yall have an AWESOME connection with God. i say that cuz of Planet Shakers, Hillsong, Hillsong United and all the other awesome churches there. Do u not live near those?
Well none the less, u should not be afraid. i know, believe me i know the fears of being different, and being the only Christian in a room. its a HUGE fear. BUT!! dont let the fear of striking out keep u from playing the game.. you and Neil can change that island, set it on fire! never doubt what God can do :) your faith can move mountains says the Bible. and Moses account of the parting of the Red Sea is testiment to this.
And to answer your question how to attract. YOU or Neil cannot attract people to God by yourselvess, rather whois IN you will attract them. by setting a good exaple when others are not looking, by reading your Bible, by doing good deeds with no exspectation of anything in return, by not doing the thing your friends do but being Set Apart and being Not Of This World. It is hard. but with God, ALL things are possiple!! :D
Hit me up with some specific questions, and i and others will do our best to answer them :)
Thanks. I dont live near a Hillsong Church, it is in NSW, Sydney. I live in victoria. It is very rare to come across a person who is developing a relationship with god, or christian.
dont be scared of being criticized... i know its scary but remember that Jesus was criticized too x] im really scared of being ridiculed or labeled when i attempt to share (or in your case, finding some Christians at your school lol) but if you just go for it and trust God with the results, its a lot more comforting =] God can really use you two!
so does proclaiming the Word of God in a high school.
just remember Matthew 18:6, Alpha. "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a large millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned at the bottom of the sea."
Although I am from the States, I know there has to be Christians in Australia. I went to Sydney and Launceston, Tasmania on mission trip with my church 2 years ago. I met some secondary school kids who were on fire for Christ. Also, while I was there, I learned that Christians in Australia are treated like second class citizens so I recognize that it may be hard to find fellow Christians because they are scared to be open about it. I met a 17 year old girl who was beat up everyday just for being a Christian. I wish I could offer up some advice, but I dont feel like I would give the advice you need because I am from the USA. However, I would suggest that you try talking to your pastor or youth pastor about it.
On a side note, I would like to add that you Aussie Christians inspire me. Whenever, I feel scared or ashamed of my faith, I think of you all.
I know several Christians that live in Australia, and none of them have ever been given trouble for their beliefs (beyond the expected disagreement; but you get that even in the states).
Maybe her particular area isnt rooted in Christianity. I mean, when you look at places like Africa, there are extremely rooted areas, and there are areas that have never heard the gospel. Thats what missionaries are for. Anyways, what you have to realize, is that people are not going to come to the knowledge of Christ until theyre ready. You can plant a seed though your actions, love, and discipleship, but you have to realize that to everything there is a season. Do your part, and leave the rest up to God. Oh, and as for criticism, did you know that the Bible says that its an honor to be criticized to your faith? The fact is, your peers are watching you, and over time, they will see that you are at peace; that you are different, and when they do, theyll want that peace that passeth understanding as well.
We are to be like Christ, and He was criticized, laughed at, and mocked. Yet He showed us the example to keep be a witness, and preach the gospel no matter what. In the end you will be blessed. You will be blessed now by just knowing ho happy you are making the Father by obeying Him! You have already taken that courageous step by your desire, that is really awesome, follow through. You can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens you. You and your friends will be in my prayers. God bless you Jesyca!
The most used command in the Bible is some variation of "Do not fear." I know its definitely easier said than done, but just repeating that through your head over and over will definitely do some good. As Japlace and John were saying, its all about living in a relationship with Jesus. All you have to do is constantly get into His word and seek His will in all things, and remember that Christianity isnt just about church on Sunday but is an everyday thing. God is the one that is putting the desire in your heart to share His truth with people, so you have to believe since He is the one who set you apart for this that He will definitely bless you if you step out on a limb and proclaim His word.
Oh and it is not just about reading and praying, it is also about LISTENING! God wants to speak to you, He wants to help you on this journey, just listen for Him...
17 replies on this topic
John - 3/23/10 @ 7:55 PM
Jesus said we would be criticized for our faith, but we would be rewarded for it in heaven. let them talk...pray over it. god will provided an answer. ill be praying for you two!
one last thing, its fine that australia isnt religious because christianity isnt a religion....its a relationship with Jesus.
Japlace - 3/23/10 @ 8:00 PM
check out the topic named, "how do i start a student led prayer group". some of those tips may help :)
And Australia is the most Christian continent i know of! im serious, ive been wanting to go there for yearsss cuz yall have an AWESOME connection with God. i say that cuz of Planet Shakers, Hillsong, Hillsong United and all the other awesome churches there. Do u not live near those?
Well none the less, u should not be afraid. i know, believe me i know the fears of being different, and being the only Christian in a room. its a HUGE fear. BUT!! dont let the fear of striking out keep u from playing the game.. you and Neil can change that island, set it on fire! never doubt what God can do :) your faith can move mountains says the Bible. and Moses account of the parting of the Red Sea is testiment to this.
And to answer your question how to attract. YOU or Neil cannot attract people to God by yourselvess, rather whois IN you will attract them. by setting a good exaple when others are not looking, by reading your Bible, by doing good deeds with no exspectation of anything in return, by not doing the thing your friends do but being Set Apart and being Not Of This World.
It is hard. but with God, ALL things are possiple!! :D
Hit me up with some specific questions, and i and others will do our best to answer them :)
Jesyca - 3/23/10 @ 8:10 PM
Thanks.
I dont live near a Hillsong Church, it is in NSW, Sydney.
I live in victoria. It is very rare to come across a person who is developing a relationship with god, or christian.
Japlace - 3/23/10 @ 8:16 PM
yuppers! :)
oh, wellll. as i said before, dont doubt that God cannot use you and Neil to change Victoria.
Read, and pray everyday, and just watch the dif it makes :)
happy_panda - 3/23/10 @ 8:20 PM
dont be scared of being criticized... i know its scary but remember that Jesus was criticized too x] im really scared of being ridiculed or labeled when i attempt to share (or in your case, finding some Christians at your school lol) but if you just go for it and trust God with the results, its a lot more comforting =] God can really use you two!
Alpha - 3/24/10 @ 6:33 PM
Streaking attracts a lot of attention.
:P
Japlace - 3/24/10 @ 11:37 PM
so does proclaiming the Word of God in a high school.
just remember Matthew 18:6, Alpha. "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a large millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned at the bottom of the sea."
Kristen - 3/25/10 @ 12:04 PM
Although I am from the States, I know there has to be Christians in Australia. I went to Sydney and Launceston, Tasmania on mission trip with my church 2 years ago. I met some secondary school kids who were on fire for Christ. Also, while I was there, I learned that Christians in Australia are treated like second class citizens so I recognize that it may be hard to find fellow Christians because they are scared to be open about it. I met a 17 year old girl who was beat up everyday just for being a Christian. I wish I could offer up some advice, but I dont feel like I would give the advice you need because I am from the USA. However, I would suggest that you try talking to your pastor or youth pastor about it.
On a side note, I would like to add that you Aussie Christians inspire me. Whenever, I feel scared or ashamed of my faith, I think of you all.
Aussie! Oi! Aussie! Oi! Aussie! Oi!
Alpha - 3/25/10 @ 6:38 PM
I know several Christians that live in Australia, and none of them have ever been given trouble for their beliefs (beyond the expected disagreement; but you get that even in the states).
Kristen - 4/10/10 @ 12:32 AM
Maybe her particular area isnt rooted in Christianity. I mean, when you look at places like Africa, there are extremely rooted areas, and there are areas that have never heard the gospel. Thats what missionaries are for. Anyways, what you have to realize, is that people are not going to come to the knowledge of Christ until theyre ready. You can plant a seed though your actions, love, and discipleship, but you have to realize that to everything there is a season. Do your part, and leave the rest up to God. Oh, and as for criticism, did you know that the Bible says that its an honor to be criticized to your faith? The fact is, your peers are watching you, and over time, they will see that you are at peace; that you are different, and when they do, theyll want that peace that passeth understanding as well.
Alpha - 4/10/10 @ 7:59 PM
Oh, I didnt mean to say differently. I just dont want it to sound like Australia is anti-christian, or anything.
Kristen - 4/10/10 @ 8:10 PM
Alright, just checking. :)
jOrGe - 4/10/10 @ 11:46 PM
your testimony will attract the attention of fellow christians like you
and about being critisised dont worry
dont listen to them
may God bless your life :D
FinaleeGodsgirl - 4/11/10 @ 8:59 PM
We are to be like Christ, and He was criticized, laughed at, and mocked. Yet He showed us the example to keep be a witness, and preach the gospel no matter what. In the end you will be blessed. You will be blessed now by just knowing ho happy you are making the Father by obeying Him! You have already taken that courageous step by your desire, that is really awesome, follow through. You can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens you. You and your friends will be in my prayers. God bless you Jesyca!
FinaleeGodsgirl - 4/11/10 @ 9:00 PM
Sorry for the typos hopefully you can make it out!
Ray - 4/13/10 @ 10:53 AM
The most used command in the Bible is some variation of "Do not fear." I know its definitely easier said than done, but just repeating that through your head over and over will definitely do some good. As Japlace and John were saying, its all about living in a relationship with Jesus. All you have to do is constantly get into His word and seek His will in all things, and remember that Christianity isnt just about church on Sunday but is an everyday thing. God is the one that is putting the desire in your heart to share His truth with people, so you have to believe since He is the one who set you apart for this that He will definitely bless you if you step out on a limb and proclaim His word.
Ray - 4/13/10 @ 10:56 AM
Oh and it is not just about reading and praying, it is also about LISTENING! God wants to speak to you, He wants to help you on this journey, just listen for Him...