My Faith

by Kurt Johnston and Mark Oestreicher

• ISBN13: 9780310273820
• ISBN10: 031027382X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-29
• Publisher: Youth Specialties

Summary

Life and faith can be hard when you’re in middle school. But this book gives you all the tips and secrets you need to really grasp your faith and keep hold of it.

Table of Contents

Introduction	8	(3)
SECTION 1: LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING	11	(26)
Who Is God?	12	(2)
God's Original Plan	14	(2)
The Sin Club	16	(2)
Reconciliation: Not So Silly	18	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 1 (Creation)	20	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 2 (Crisis)	22	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 3 (Calling)	24	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 4 (Conversation)	26	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 5 (Christ)	28	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 6 (Community)	30	(2)
God's Big Story in Seven Mini-Chapters, Part 7 (Commencement)	32	(5)
SECTION 2: FAITH AND DOUBT	37	(22)
What Is Faith?	38	(2)
How Do I Get More Faith?	40	(2)
Moses' Mom and Freak-Faith	42	(2)
Doubts: Why They're Normal	44	(2)
Doubts: What to Do about Them	46	(2)
Doubts: How Jesus Handled Them	48	(2)
Childlike Faith and Childish Faith	50	(2)
Upgrading Your Operating System	52	(2)
Learn from Demas (about Chucking Your Faith)	54	(2)
What If I Don't Feel Like a Christian?	56	(3)
SECTION 3: BIBLE STUFF	59	(20)
Where Did the Bible Come From?	60	(2)
How Can I Be Sure the Bible Is True?	62	(2)
The Role of the Bible	64	(2)
Cool Ways to Use the Bible (besides Just Reading It)	66	(2)
Bible Sayings I've Heard but May Not Totally Understand: Salt and Light	68	(2)
Bible Sayings I've Heard but May Not Totally Understand: Vine and Branches	70	(2)
Bible Sayings I've Heard but May Not Totally Understand: The Good Shepherd	72	(2)
A Few Bible Verses Worth Remembering	74	(5)
SECTION 4: PRAYER	79	(6)
How to Pray	80	(2)
Other Ways to Pray	82	(3)
SECTION 5: THE CHURCH AND WORSHIP	85	(10)
What Is the Church?	86	(2)
Do I Have to Go to Church to Be a Christian?	88	(2)
What Do These Words Mean?	90	(2)
What Is Worship?	92	(3)
SECTION 6: COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY	95	(10)
Aren't All Religions Basically the Same?	96	(2)
What's the Trinity All About?	98	(2)
How Can God Be Everywhere and Know Everything?	100	(2)
If God Is So Good, Why Is There So Much Bad Stuff?	102	(3)
SECTION 7: SPIRITUAL GROWTH	105	(18)
How Can I Grow in My Faith?	106	(2)
Where Can I Find God?	108	(2)
Playing It Safe = A Stupid, Boring Life	110	(2)
How to Be the Coolest Transformer	112	(2)
How's Your Reflection? (Reflecting Jesus)	114	(2)
How to Bounce Back When I've Messed Up	116	(2)
What Difference Do My Friends Make?	118	(5)
SECTION 8: A FEW BIBLE PEEPS	123	(16)
Jael and Tough Stuff	124	(2)
Samson and Spiritual Priorities	126	(2)
Peter and Steppin' Out	128	(2)
How Much Does God Love Me? (Hosea and Gomer)	130	(2)
God Loves Losers (Mighty Men in 1 and 2 Samuel)	132	(2)
Eleazar and Standing Alone	134	(2)
Aaron and Hur and the Importance of Christian Friends	136	(3)
SECTION 9: WHAT'S GOD WANT OUTTA ME?	139	(24)
What Does God Want Outta Me?	140	(2)
Why Does God Care If I Grow?	142	(2)
The Big List O' Rules (Really Just Two!)	144	(2)
Does God Really Have a Plan for My Life?	146	(2)
How to Live for Jesus without Looking Like a Jerk	148	(2)
My Part in God's Family	150	(2)
How to Share My Story with My Friends	152	(2)
Giving My Time	154	(2)
Giving My Talents	156	(2)
Giving My Money and My Stuff	158	(2)
Nobody Said It Would Be Easy	160	(3)
SECTION 10: SOME OF THE BIGGIES YOU'LL FACE	163	(10)
Peer Pressure	164	(2)
Temptation	166	(2)
Making Wise Choices	168	(5)
SECTION 11: RANDOM SURVIVAL TIPS	173	(8)
God Sings about You!	174	(2)
What's an Heir?	176	(2)
How to Figure Out How You're Wired	178	(3)
SECTION 12: WISDOM RULES	181	(7)
Wisdom Rule #1--Be Like an Ant!	182	(2)
Wisdom Rule #2--Be Like a Coney!	184	(2)
Wisdom Rule #3--Be Like a Locust!	186	(2)
Wisdom Rule #4--Be Like a Lizard!	188