Published 9/17/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
You’re watching TV early one Sunday morning. There’s not much on besides religious programming, and you watch it as you get ready for church. The first show you turn to has all of these young, happy, good-looking singers. The minister who comes on between songs talks a lot about God doing something miraculous in your life today. Hmmmm, you think, this doesn’t resemble my church very much. So you use the remote to switch stations.
The next show has an older guy sitting at his desk talking very slowly and deliberately. None of what he says makes much sense to you so, before you fall asleep, you switch to another show.
WHOA! Here’s a guy who likes to shout. He’s yelling and telling the camera how loving God is, but then he starts talking about the fires of hell. He says “There’s only one way to get to the pearly gates... that’s through Jesus Christ.” He keeps screaming in a rhythmic fashion. Soon, his words seem to just run together.
Three stations, three different ways people are trying to explain who God is and what he wants. Then you start thinking about our own family and what we believe. Mom and Dad talk about having a close “relationship” with God through prayer and reading the Bible. We’re good people, but not perfect.
Who’s right?
Questions to Think On
• As you grow older, you’ll find out that there are many varieties of Christians. Plus, there are several types of churches that don’t teach what your church teaches on who Jesus Christ is and how to get to heaven. How do you know which one is right?
• What do you think all Christian churches should have in common?
• What do you think God is really like?
• Mom and Dad: What do you believe about how to get to heaven and how to live and enjoy life here on earth?
What Does God Have to Say?
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
(c)