Fresh Faith

Ron Moore
Maria Stockman
Tom Rojahn

Question:

How should I interact with my unsaved family? They are not supportive of my faith, and I’m the only Christian in my entire circle of family. Any advice?

• It impacts all of us.
• Colossians 4:5
• 1 Peter 3:15
• CS Lewis quote about other world
• Ephesians 2 - spiritual corps
• Treat people graciously, gently, and lovingly
• Show them what it looks like to be a gracious person
• Allow God’s timing
• Be ready to follow God’s calling

Question:
How to process national church scandals that are all over the news. It's quite upsetting and makes me not trust anyone. What should I be saying to people who belong to churches associated with this?

• Both Catholic and Protestant church there are headlines about abuse, abuse of power, financial fraud, affairs, etc.
• It damages our testimony and it’s unfortunate
• No one is above sin
• Romans 3:23 All fall short of the glory of God
• Respond with prayer
• Come Thou Fount
• Jesus came for the sick and hurting, not for the healthy
• Jesus can restore relationships and trust
• Don’t let the few impact the many faithfully following Christ
• We are all one step away from falling into sin that could be headline news
• Psalm 51 “just when you speak”

Robinson Campus
175 McMichael Road
Carnegie, PA

Ron Moore
Maria Stockman
“David” – Pseudonyms for reasons of safety

Question:

Do you have any tips for witnessing to my Muslim neighbors? They are great people and I want to share the truth with them without insulting their faith or seeming ‘holier than thou.’

David came to faith as a college student and after getting married, they spent the next 30 years overseas in countries made up of a large majority of Muslims.

Muslims are kind, hospitable, generous, and honorable. What we hear on the news in the States does exist but it’s such a small percentage in comparison.

Just say hi. Overcome the fear.

Muslims are very open about discussing spiritual things as that is part of their culture.

Media world vs David’s experience.
• September 11, living in a Muslim community and on that day the local police went to the school and guarded it.
• Found that so many people reached out and apologized that a small group of people would represent them.
• Islam controls people by fear.
Take initiative and don’t let fear control you.

Question:
How do you keep the conversation going?
• Share your faith as part of your life. Let that be normal as talking about your kids.
• Ask them what they believe. They likely will ask you what you believe, but if not, just share yours.
• Don’t get caught up in building a relationship for a long time.
• Monotheistic- We both believe in one God.
• Be respectful and gentle
• Invite them to church to experience the differences in practices. In Islam, their identity is what they do in terms of praying, giving, pilgrimage, etc. their faith is practiced together.
• Islam was the only world religion that was founded after Christianity. Something went wrong with Christianity and Judaism so it’s like Version 3.0. Early 7th century
• The truth of Christianity is a direct threat to Islam.
• Conflict between friendship and disagreement. They value friendship so they may try to change the subject. If they are eager to engage in disagreement then they may not value your friendship.
Question:

What do most Muslims believe about Jesus?

They believe a lot of the same things that Christians do, there are some major areas that they don’t agree with:
• They accept the Bible unless it’s in conflict with the Koran.
• Consistency of Revelation.
• Parts of the Bible that disagree with the Koran they can’t explain that and think someone changed that.
• The Son relationship is hard because they think that Jesus can’t be the son, he would have to be like Hercules. Meaning God had a relationship with Mary.
• Crucifixion, they don’t believe Jesus was crucified.
• Trinity - God is one, there is no parts in the Muslim world.
Question:

Do they agree with the virgin birth?
• yes, they believe God is capable of this power.
Question:

What does it look like when you share?
• Counting the cost, seeing the truth, and making a decision.

Paraphrased: Success is taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and trust God with the results. (Bill Bright - Sharing your Faith)

Question:

Any resources or recommendations for educating our kids on sexuality and teach (protect) them against sexual predators and violence?


For preschoolers, it’s approached from a health and safety aspect.

• God created us
• Safe touching
• Swimsuit- no touching where your swim suit touches
• If someone says don’t tell your mom and dad, that means tell mom and dad.
• Resources: Lily Series

Question:
How and when do I address sex with my preschoolers? How much is enough information?

• The book we have is God Made All of Me

• This is also a great website and resource: https://birds-bees.com/

• Secret Keepers Girls

• And just because - these are two of our favorite books (not sexuality related and not sure if the bookstore has them already, but they are great gospel focused books that we love)
• https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Very-Good-Idea-Delightfully/dp/1784982210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542292944&sr=8-1&keywords=gods+very+good+idea
• https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Curtain-Cross-Carl-Laferton/dp/1784980129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542292959&sr=8-1&keywords=garden+curtain+cross+book

Question:
What are your thoughts on sleep overs?

• Nothing good happens at sleep overs

• be the parent and know your child

• verify with parents what is actually happening

• ask questions!

• Mixed sleep overs: Ron and Lori said that was a flat no.

Question:
In a world of ideas of how we should be and focused on the outside, how do I teach my child how he/she is meant to be in Christ and be confident from the inside?


• In a world of ideas of how we should be, how do I teach my child how she/he is meant to be in Christ and be confident from the inside?

• Spiritual Identity —> SSAFE
Significant
Secure
Accepted
Forgiven
Empowered

• Sermon on Spiritual Identity

Ron Moore
Bob Freado
Maria Stockman

Question:

What foundation can we build with our kids now, that will help pave a smoother path during teen and adult years?

• Emphasis on communication and being involved with their kids’ lives
• Lack of communication breaks up relationships
• Be open and transparent
• Safe and clear communication, two ways
• Have fun with your kids. You do that when your kids are little, keep that going when they get older
• Let your house be a place where friends would want to come so you can get to know their friends.
• Expect bumps in the road during the teen years.
• Nurture and promote a path for growth by providing clear expectations and clear follow through
• Check your response when your kid confesses their wrong doing. If you address it in a calm and measured way and the correction aligns with the issue it promotes further communication.

Question:
What can I do so my child comes to Christ by his/her own? And not because I told, taught, or showed them to?

• Theologically - your child has to do it on their own through the Holy Spirits work in their hearts.
• Take the pressure off yourself, only God can do this.
• Live your life in a way that demonstrates your love for Jesus
• Deut 6:1-9
• PRAY for your children
• Prayer has to be first
• Allow for stretching experiences to see God
• Practically - modeling and mentoring. Let it be natural. Talk about God.
• Make the Bible come alive to your kids

Question:
In a few short years we have to give our kids a biblical foundation, but we’ve seen many young people leave the church once they’re on their own. What is a common reason for that? What can we as parents do to help prevent it from happening?
How do you teach them to get involved in serving and church?

• To prevent: that happens before. Build a culture of faith in the home so that it reflects as your world view.
• Go through Living Grounded with your child. (To order a copy email [email protected])
• Millennials are looking for what is genuine
• Show them that your faith is real.
• Own it. Do it.
• Help them experience faith. Let them go on mission trips and retreats and let them serve.
• Encourage a Gap Year
• Modeling and mentoring: show and tell
• Pray

Question:
What are some practical habits or resources you can suggest to make communication and parenting to your child better?

• Slow things down
• The Next Story by Tim Challies
• Speaker Listener technique: Marriage Enrichment Class on Communication
• A Lasting Promise by Scott Stanley

Ron Moore
Bob Freado
Maria Stockman

Question:

Grandma passed away, how do I address death with my two year old?

• It’s really just a question if care and an expression of love
• Answer them in a way that is useful and helpful at this time
• young children think concretely and we might not need to over explain
• heaven is hard to understand
• Grandma isn’t here now, maybe talk about how much we love her and talk about characteristics
• Share the gospel
• Never go wrong when you keep Jesus as the focus
• Unwanted parenting advice
• parents have to be on the same page
• Address it with the parent directly
• Don’t not deal with it and harbor bitterness
• Make sure the parenting advice is biblical
• Living Grounded
• Parenting is not one size fits all
• Evaluate the advice one child at a time

Correct your spouse
• If safety is at stake
• Refrain from doing this and handle it in private

Discipline
• 10:13, not really about parents and children
• 13:24 is a figure of speech regarding discipline
• Corporal punishment should always be meaningful, encompassed in love, never done to inflict harm, rare
• Appropriate age range, 2-6 according to studies
• Never the first response; Last resort