Seeking authentic relationships and Christ-like living
Three primary themes emerge in the discusison on personal growth. “The first theme that arose during the discussion was that students desperately desire relationships in a faith community that are deep and lasting. This idea was also reflected in the other topics discussed during these sessions. Second, students see the value of scriptural authority and are actively persuing lives that incorporate Scripture on a daily basis. And finally, students do not clearly understand the particular doctrinal theologies that church hierarchy has claimed as distinctive within their respective denominations.” (p. 26, Listening Inside Out)
A few of the quotes from students included:
“We need somebody to invest in our lives, not just give us water on move-in day.”
“We are searching for authenticity.”
“Build a community where college students are valued. We need mentors to help us navigate growing up.”
“A good Christian daily submits to the Word of God. We will only grow if we do this on a daily basis.”
“We are taught dfinitions of holiness without learning what it really is.”
“We don’t see role models. The character of holiness shown in others is in short supply.”
“We’re too concerned about holiness and are therefore not connecting with people in life. For holiness to be relevant, it needs to be put into action, not just words.”
These comments were reinforced by Dave Curtis (pg. 33), “these studens seriously want more of God. They seek a deeper community and passion for life and others. But they simply are not interested in sustaining institutions or building monuments. They aren’t interested in a life that appears holy on the outside but on the inside is betrayed by a judgemental spirit, shallow thinking, and self-centered living separate from the world God has created us to live in.”
As the conversation continues, do you agree with some of all of these statements? How does the local church facilitate authentic, mentoring, intergenerational relationships? How do we domonstrate holiness each and every day?
I have heard Howard Hendricks say that we need to have a Paul, a Barnabas and a Timothy in our lives. A Paul is someone who is intentionally investing or discipling us. A Barnabas is someone who comes along side of us as we minister to others. A Timothy is a person whom we are discipling. Can we identify each of these relationships in our own life? If not, we can ask God to provide these significant relationships.