Family Time -- Religion and Relationships

Read the following short paragraphs. After you read them, there are a couple discussion questions.

THIS WEEK'S VERSE: Romans 2:29b -- . . . (it is) by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.


READ: When Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he was writing it to some people who were boastful because they followed the Old Testament law.

Today, people sometimes do the same thing. They think that if they go to church, that's all they need to do. Or that if they follow all the rules, that's all they need to do. Or that if they do good things, that's all they need to do. Or that if they at least aren't as bad as other people they know, that's all they need to do.

But salvation is not about following rules and doing rituals. Salvation comes from having Jesus in our lives. It means having a relationship with Jesus.

If we have a relationship with Jesus, we will want to do good things. We will want to be good people. We will want to do the things Jesus has asked us to do.

TALK:

1. Talk about salvation and what it means to be a Christian. How do you become a Christian? What does it mean when you are friends with Jesus?

2. Why do Christians need to do things like go to church and pray and help others and follow the rules?

~ Mr. Ben