| What
Should I Do if my Experience of Christianity Seems Shallow? We live in confusing times. There are many who express confusion,
doubt, and discouragement. What can we do when we are feeling this way? How
can we find the answers we want and deepen our faith to serve God? We will
examine these questions and ideas in a special series of lessons: Rock-Solid
Truths in Confusing Times for all Generations. We want to open our Bibles and
our minds to what God has to say in answer to the questions we may have about
our faith, the church, and our relationships with one another. This week we
will examine the idea of what to do if our experience of Christianity seems
shallow.I. Seeking that which is
genuine a. We recognize the difference between what
is real and what is fake b.
Understanding an experience of Christianity is our involvement or
participation in something; it is not just something that happens to us c. God calls us to experience the depth of
His calling, to be true to Him and different from the world (Mark 7:6, 2 Cor.
6:17) i. If I don’t want to have a shallow faith, I
must commit to grow (2 Pet.3:18, 1 Pet.2:2)
II. Christianity as
defined by Goda. Christians are God’s
(Acts 2:38-41, 47)(Eph.1:3-5) Christians are theb. Christians have put on
(Gal.3:27) and live under authority of Him (Eph.1:22)c. The church is
involved, as well. (Eph. 5:24-26). Our Christianity is not apart from the
church. (Eph.1:22)d. It is living, believing and acting on a deep and
intimate relationship with Christ as His bride, and God as Hid
child.III. The Depth of
Christianity in Timothy (1 Timothy 4:6-13)a.
Understanding the gospel and doctrine of Christ (vs.6, 2 Tim.3:14-17)i. We can get out of the shallow water and
into depth, as wellii. Taking in the
knowledge of other generations, learning from themb. Powers of Discernment (vs.7, 1 Tim.
6:20-21, Heb. 5:11-14)i. Looking to
God’s truth, rather than the philosophies of menc. Trained in Godliness (vs.8, 2 Tim.2:22)d.
He had set his hope in God (vs.10) His hope was firm and he acted on it, it
was more than just a feeling he was looking for.e. Standing for truth (vs. 11). Devoted to
teaching others.f. A shining example of faithful youth (vs 12). Timothy was
encouraged by the older generation to live in a way that brought glory to
God. |
