For the Adults…..A Personal Challenge

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

Written April 2, 2012

As adults we, many times, have the greatest opportunities to engage the world with the gospel of Christ. We have children that we can influence with our actions and lessons that we teach. We are in the workforce each day with unbelievers who ask us questions about our faith and beliefs. We are often the most visible witness to those that do not attend church or anything remotely religious. We are on the front lines of evangelizing others as we are sometimes the first to be engaged by those that are seeking after Christ. In addition to this, our lives are those which others look at when asking the question, “What’s so special about the Christian life?”

Having said that I want to make a challenge to every adult, and anyone else for that matter, in the church. My challenge is to do something above and beyond what you are currently studying and learning from the Bible to prepare yourself to, as Peter put it, “give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Adults I’d like to challenge you within the next two month, before the next Bell is published, to read a Christian living book. What do I mean by that? I mean any book that is there to help develop your Christian life. There are countless ones on the shelves of LifeWay by authors like Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, Anne Graham Lotz, and Beth Moore that challenge us, teach, and help us to better our Christians lives. I invite anyone in the church who would like to, to come to my office and borrow a book from my library, or get a recommendation on what to read. I have books about prayer, the Holy Spirit, God’s grace, studying the Bible, theology, and a myriad of other topics, all of which can help someone strengthen their faith and walk with God.

My hope is that you will, in the next two months, read on of these books. Then perhaps in the next Bell you’ll give a review or recommendation of the book, or maybe even tell of how the book impacted your life. Maybe through you another might be challenged to read and have their life blessed as well!

Here are some authors that I have either personally read or know to be sound in their beliefs. (no particular order)