Department
of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry
Orthodox Church in America
PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791
http://yya.oca.org
yyacm@oca.org
God's
Time
Fourth
Talk: Being Christian
Opening Song
Begin by asking the participants to write down a definition of the word “Christian.” When they have finished, ask a few of them to share their definitions.
The root of the word “Christian” is “Christ.” A Christian is someone who tried to be like Christ. Christ was the perfect example of God’s love and friendship for us. He healed others of their physical and psychological illnesses. He taught others how to love and to find happiness. He forgave all who wanted forgiveness. Jesus loved us so much that He even died for us. “No greater love has any man than to give his life for his friends.” Close your eyes for a moment. (Pause.) Think about what this means to you. (Pause again.) Even while He was hanging on the cross, Christ still loved others, even those who killed Him: “Gather, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
If I am to be like Christ, there are two things I must strive to do. First, I need to show my love and friendship with God. Communication is important in a friendship. I cannot be a friend with someone if I refuse to speak with him or her or listen to him or her. Prayer is the way I communicate with God. When I pray, I am in God’s presence. I know that He is always with me. I can pray anywhere, anytime. I can pray with words or by just thinking about the love God shows me. I can pray, knowing that God always answers me – even if He appears to be silent.
Give an example of how prayer is important in you life.
Sharing is important in a friendship. I like to share important things, events, and news with those I love. I share my friendship with God through the Liturgy. The word “liturgy” means “common work.” At the Divine Liturgy, we celebrate God’s friendship in our lives and in the lives of those around us. When we receive Holy Communion, we enter into a “common union” with Christ and with everyone else who receives Communion with us.
Forgiveness is also important in a friendship. When I have a disagreement with a friend, I can’t wait to be reconciled, or reunited, with my friend. When I receive Christ’s forgiveness, I am reconciled with God and with others. Whether it be through the sacrament of Confession or by just saying, “God, forgive me” in my daily prayers, I experience the love of Christ as He unconditionally accepts me back into His friendship with no strings attached.
Give an example of what God’s forgiveness has meant to you.
There is a second thing I need to do if I am to be like Christ. I need to show my love and friendship with others. Saint Paul says, “If we say we love God but we hate others, we are liars.” I cannot be like Christ if I refuse to love others. Furthermore, I cannot be like Christ if I refuse to let others love me. As a Christian, I am loving and loveable.
There are many ways that I can show God’s love to others.
Give a wide variety of examples from your own life. These are extremely important in making the above points real for the participants.
In conclusion, then, being a Christian simply means to be like Christ: to love others as Christ loves us, to reach out to others as Christ reaches out to us, to forgive others as Christ forgives us, and to be signs of God’s loving presence in the lives of others just as Christ is the greatest sign of God’s love in our own lives.
Closing Song
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Department
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