A modern translation may help you understand the Bible better
“I don’t mean to offend you, but I’ve tried to read the Bible and found it kind of dull. And yet some of my friends find it exciting. What’s wrong? Why don’t I get anything out of it? ”
Answers
After prison, with God's help, you can turn your life around
“I got involved in something I knew was wrong (and also stupid), but a couple of friends talked me into it, and now we’re in jail and facing trial. I never thought this would happen to me, and it’s really hurt my parents. Pray I’ll get out of this somehow.”
God is anything but an unconcerned bystander in our lives!
“I’m facing a big decision about my future, and I don’t know which way to go. Does God care what I do? Or does it not really matter to Him?”
Love, patience and wisdom are what teens need most from parents
“We just don’t understand our two daughters. They’re teenagers now, and one day they’ll be happy and carefree, and the next day they’ll be sullen and moody and will hardly speak to us. What’s going on?”
A church building can be a valuable tool to draw people to Christ
“Our church has started a big building campaign, but I’m not sure I’m in favor of it. After all, the early Christians didn’t have fancy buildings. They just met in their houses, from what I’ve heard. Am I wrong to feel this way?”
Being a wise mother-in-law can be challenging
“How can I be a good mother-in-law? Our son got married a few months ago and they live fairly near us. It’s hard for me not to call them every day, but I don’t want to be an interfering mother-in-law. How can I avoid this but still let them know I care?”
Helping the poor is always worthwhile
“Do you think we’ll ever do away with poverty? I heard someone say we could do it if we just tried hard enough, but didn’t Jesus say somewhere that there’d always be poor people? I can’t imagine living the way millions do in some parts of the world. ”
We should seek to be like Jesus rather than celebrities
“Recently, my high school newspaper asked a number of students who they wanted to be like. Almost without exception they named famous musicians, athletes or other celebrities. Why are we so absorbed with celebrities today? Or have we always been? I would have named Jesus if they’d asked me. ”
Humility and gentleness should be marks of those of follow Christ
“I get very upset at people who claim they have all the answers to life because they supposedly know God. To me, that’s arrogant. And anyway, what right do they have to tell me how to live? I don’t tell them how to run their lives.”
With Christ, we can overcome anger with peace
“I’ve heard that the Bible teaches it’s not right to be angry, but how can you avoid it? When people get under your skin and you get angry, you can’t just bury your anger or kid yourself into thinking it doesn’t matter, can you?”
Even pastors need time for rest and renewal!
“As a pastor, I’ve always thought I had to do everything people wanted me to do. But lately I’ve gotten so tired that some days I have to force myself to even get out of bed. I’ve heard about people in business getting burned out, but can it happen to someone who’s supposed to be serving God?”
Children can learn a surprising amount from attending church services
“Why do some parents insist on bringing their young children to church? Even if the kids are well-behaved, they don’t pay attention or get anything out of the service, and they just bother those of us sitting near them.”