"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." (Jesus- Matthew 7:13-14)
To the world, the cross seems like foolishness. And he is surrounded by the world.
2006-08-07 09:44:18 · 5 answers · asked by John 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My son is 15 and fortunately he has been going to Harvest for a few yrs. He's coool and is the class clown and has alot of friends. He also knows that I always 'have his back' and am honest with him. I go by the scripture that says 'Train up a child in the path he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it'. Find a suitable scripture to pray over the matter and God will honor it...and don't worry, have confidence in The Word!
2006-08-07 10:04:22 · answer #1 · answered by spareo1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus almost certainly died while impaled on a simple stake, rather than a cross of two intersecting beams. Of course the Romans had the ability to create such devices, and probably did. But ask yourself: why they would have bothered when a simple stake would have worked just as well or better?
It is also enlightening to examine other relevant Scriptures.
You may be interested to see how your own copy of the bible translates Acts 5:30, Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, and Acts 10:39. The King James, Revised Standard, Dyaglott, and Jerusalem Bible translate the instrument of Christ's death simply as "stake" or "tree" because the original wording simply does not support the idea that this was more than a piece of upright wood.
It is also eye-opening to examine how the first-century Christians felt about idols of any kind, much less one that glorified an instrument of death.
Learn more:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2005/5/8a/article_01.htm
2006-08-08 17:09:56 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there...You can help him in his spiritual journey by NOT pushing your personal agenda on him. Try allowing him to explore other religious sects and when he sees differences and has questions answer them openly and honestly...It'll be a time for both of you to learn and grow together. He may/might decide the path you lay out is the best fit for him Spiritually or he may choose another. Should he choose another than just be supportive of his decision and agree to disagree about which path he takes. Suggest you start the journey at WWW.UUA.ORG...We have a belief system that's pretty cool with the younger set (less rules and regs about how to believe, but we do encourage belief)....PEACE!
2006-08-07 16:50:51 · answer #3 · answered by thebigm57 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I certainly wouldn't start quoting from ancient books to convince him. It's easy enough to show the real results of drug addiction, sexual promiscuity, smoking, alcohol abuse etc.
But part of convincing him will be to be honest with him. Most people who use drugs in really don't get addicted or end up dead of overdoses etc. Some drugs are actually pretty safe (like pot), while others are terribly addictive and dangerous even on the first use (crystal meth). Drugs actually are fun, which is why people use them.
Not everyone who has sex is going to get pregnant or catch AIDS. Most people who use condoms properly really will be protected, and condoms almost never break when used properly for straight sex. ...and sex really is fun, which is why people do it.
etc.
If you give him BS, he'll see through it and probably ignore the real dangers.
2006-08-07 16:55:48 · answer #4 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not want to hear this but he doesn't need to believe in any religion or god to be good. Even if he doesn't love god, teach him to love his fellowman and if he follows that, he will be fine. He may not be the Christian you want but he'll be a good person
2006-08-07 17:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋