Q&A

Q: How to be the best friend you can be to someone.

A: Ask yourself, “What do I look for in a friend?” There’s your answer.  Be the kind of friend you would want or look for. Another good idea is to read the Bible – it has a lot to say about friendship.

Proverbs 27:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

John 15:12 – My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Think about what these verses say about friendship. Then get thinking about what you can do to be the best friend you can be.

Q: How do you see God working, even in disappointments you’ve had in your life?

A: We all face struggles in life, disappointments, problems…. I’ve faced some in my life, and in the moment, it was hard. But, looking back, God was working. He always was – and is. In the bad AND the good times.

Maybe some of you are in that season, where you know God has a plan, but…you’re still waiting. I know, that season can be hard. But, from experience, I’ve learned that when God closes one door, a better one opens. The better door may not open right away, but it WILL come. Don’t ever think God isn’t working. He’s working right now, as you’re reading this. The waiting season can be hard, but, in the end, is so worth it.

One of my favorite Bible verses, John 13:7, says: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” I love this verse. Sometimes, we can be like, “God, why? Why did that happen? Why couldn’t it just go the way I planned it?”

Why can’t it go the way you planned it? Because God’s plan is better than any plan you could ever imagine. Just trust Him. He’s got you. But while you’re in your waiting season, do what waiters do: serve. Don’t let this season go to waste!

Q: How to represent Jesus as an athlete?

A: This is such a great question – one I’ve even really been thinking about myself lately!

Just because you wear a cross necklace while you play doesn’t mean you love God with all your heart. Although, yes, sometimes people who wear that do love God with all their heart, but sometimes it can be just for show. Ever heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words”? How to play for God, not just by wearing a Philippians 4:13 necklace or eyeblack in the form of a cross on your face: let your actions speak. Trust me, I know how hard it can be to not get mad at the referee when they make a bad call (or what you THINK is a bad call…). But would Jesus lash out and yell at the ref? People sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes we won’t agree with something another person does or says.

But WWJD?

Q: How do you explain to a friend who asks if God is so good, why do bad things happen?

A: This is a question that I feel like is really common. Because, heck yes, God is such a good God, but then why do bad things happen? I’m gonna get straight to the point: God doesn’t make bad things happen. But, when they do happen, God can turn them around and use them for good. There is so much proof of this everywhere: in my life, others’ lives, in the Bible, and so many other places. Take a look at what James has to say:

James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Heck yes, trials can be hard. Really hard. But God doesn’t allow pain without a purpose. Trials and hard times can grow you in ways that an easy life can not. Satan may try to hurt you or put you through hard times, but God always, always, always turns it around and uses your pain and suffering for a good reason. 

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Q: What do you think Heaven will be like?

A: There’s a lot of talk about Heaven in the last book of the Bible, Revelation. In chapter two, it says that we will have our names written on white stones. Chapter 21 mentions that God will wipe away all our tears and there will be no more pain or sorrow. John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” In the book of Luke, as Jesus is dying on the cross, he describes Heaven as “paradise”. Which I believe it truly is, for we get to live forever with Jesus (John 3:16), and there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears. There will just be joy. Of course, there are some things about Heaven we can’t guarantee or know until we go up there. 

So although we don’t know details, to put it simply, I think Heaven will be just how Jesus said it is….

Paradise.

Q: I invited a friend to seven and she is gonna come back! But how do I help her make other friends and nudge her closer to God cause she isn’t a Christian.

A: First off, introduce her to some other teens/tweens around her age. Your future best friend(s) could be right in front of your face! Introduce her to the people in your friend group, or the people you hangout with at youth group.

Secondly, to nudge her closer to God, chat with her after the message on Wednesdays. What did she think of it? Was she inspired or moved? Is there something that stood out to her? Share with her what you thought. Share your faith with her – it can be inspiring. Share with her what God has done in your life and why you serve/live for Him.