We just finished reviewing the feedback forms from Exploring Christianity and I found my heart praising God for all that He has done. Thank you for your prayers; God hears and answers the prayers of His people. As you read the feedback below I pray it would increase your love for the gospel of Jesus Christ, give you great faith for evangelism, and consider who you might invite to the next exploring Christianity.Before the course, how would you have described yourself in terms of the Christian faith? How would you now describe yourself in terms of the Christian faith? This was questions 4 and 5. I have put the answer to question 4 in a regular font and question 5 in italics.
- A Christian who was struggling with the church and what I was going to do about the rest of my life of faith. Someone who wants to live the gospel in a real way, trying to understand more of what that means.
- A believer, but not very good at giving answers to peoples questions. Better equipped to answer questions about my faith and very encouraged by our group’s growth.
- Weak, dry. Refreshed, stronger, alive.
- Saved, but wanted to be more grounded in the fundamentals to stir my affections. More confident in the object of my faith, Christ, rather than my feelings.
- Not really caring, lacking in knowledge. A little closer to God.
- ? I understand Christianity better.
- None. It’s coming back slowly.
- Holding on to the branch (Christ). Still holding on to the branch!
- I was a believer, but had failed to attend church for several years. I feel much closer to God and now I know that when my end is near I will be joining Jesus.
- Committed believer in Christ for 11 years. Stronger with the information we learned and feel more confident with sharing and answering others questions. It also challenged me to continue to seek to grow in my walk.
- Fairly strong, long-term believer. More confident and less doubtful in my relationship with God.
- Open minded but uninterested. Open minded, still willing to gather and rehash information, but completely uninterested.
- A Christian. Better educated on faith than I was before, but not as strong of a Christian as I thought I was (to put it more eloquently – I realized Christ was not on the throne of my life.)
- I knew I was a Christian, but wanted to know what I can do to live my life as a better Christian. More knowledgeable and better understanding on how to live as a Christian.
- I was very far from Christianity and reluctant to apply faith to my life. I am a Christian.
- I did believe, but was very in the world. Still do believe and now am not so in the world.
- Growing in faith. Ever growing and I am thrilled.
- On and off, a warm and cold kind of Christian. Made me go back to the word and how important it is in my life.
- Christian for a long time, not giving God the priorities. Feel lots closer to God now. I have definitely started to think about this more, being in His word more and being anxious to find more truth about Him.
- I was shaken. Sometimes I don’t know what to do to keep the Christian faith. I can swear to try not to be shaken. I felt God’s grace was falling on me. Sometimes I am still shaken, but try not to be.
- I believe I was a Christian, but did not have God first in my life. More strong in my Christian faith, wanting to learn more, trusting more in God and what He has in store for my future.
- Not sure. Now I am a Christian - I believe.
- Grew up in a Christian home, but needed to start with the basics again. Got it for myself, not because I thought it was the right thing to do.
What did you enjoy most about Exploring Christianity?
- The accepting atmosphere toward those who are questioning.
- See lives changed in our discussion groups through the power of the gospel. Joy!
- Deep discussion that was practical, real, even messy.
- Meeting new people and hearing their stories.
- Watching God work in my friend’s life. One renewed his walk with God. One was saved.
- The fellowship and the ability to encourage others seeking answers.
- The group discussion – an open heart to talk that respects each other’s thoughts and views.
- Putting my life on Him. I want to do this not only with my mouth but with my actions, but I am still a little afraid. God is omnipotent or even more than that. I cannot measure with my small knowledge.
- Seeing my guests understand new truths about Him was a total delight.
- Learning and understanding the Bible
- The small discussion groups’ in-depth conversation
In what ways did you most benefit from attending Exploring Christianity?
- Seeing God work.
- Learning and being challenged during group discussions.
- I have benefited from getting answers to everyday people’s questions about Christianity. It also has strengthened by faith and given me a greater appreciation for the gospel and my salvation.
- Better understanding about Jesus, salvation.
- Challenged to wrestle through some issues I never have thought about before.
- By hearing people’s common misconceptions of Christianity.
- Finding answers in the word.
- Faith greatly strengthened from the gospel and also seeing God work in our small group.
- I learned a lot. Half the stuff I didn’t even know.
- That there is more in the Bible than I thought.
- It helped to talk about some of the questions I had and find out the answers from the bible.
- Learning how to bring the Word to answer some of the most challenging questions I have ever heard.
- Practice and training in using Scripture to support my beliefs I’ve never had before. Seeing God pursue and humble and marvelously work it all out.
- Having my questions answered.
- Listening to what others believe even if it differs from my beliefs, has helped me learn to be respectful of others and love on them all the more.
- I learned some new things and met some great people.
- Hearing the questions and concerns of those doubting and questioning Christianity.
- Hearing other’s experiences of their journey in faith helped me realize my difficulties aren’t unique and can be average.
- I gained a better understanding of how to be a Christian, knowing how God effected. New view on Christianity.
- To see the transformation of others.
- My faith was strengthened as I watched God work.
- I have come into faith!
- I am back in faith!
- I had questioned my faith and to know I believe because I have a reason and not to be afraid to get answers, but to ask and seek God.
- Group discussions have been wonderful for my personal growth.
- It made me think again about the foundations of what I believe.
- I have a greater understanding of the scriptures.
- I learned some more about concepts which are sanctification and justification. Also I recognized again that Jesus suffered because of me and I am saved.
I came to know about the Bible. - Hearing God’s word helps me grow. Learning to verbalize concepts in a simplified form helped be to internalize and value them more.
- Being more open about Christianity and what I know about the Bible.
- Opening up new communication lines with my wife and others.
- Listening to others, learning how to apply scripture to my situation at the current times, helping me through a rough time.
- I have learned so much and have learned to believe by jumping all in and not half in.
- Really learning to remember the gospel and what God did for us all the time.
- Discussion topics have had a chance to stew in my mind throughout each week.
- Hearing questions I’ve not considered before.
- Met and made new friends, deepening understanding of the gospel.
