Challenging Conversations (Perspectives: A Summit Ministries Series) , livre ebook

Baker Publishing Group - Jason Jimenez

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135 pages

English

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When was the last time you had an honest, heartfelt, yet kind and productive conversation with someone about depression, mental illness, substance abuse, pornography, premarital sex, racism, divorce, abortion, LGBT issues, or politics? Our tendency is either to avoid talking about such volatile topics at all--even with other Christians--or to go on the attack, causing rifts that do nothing to encourage further discussion or growth.If you're tired of avoiding tough conversations, if you want to be a light in a dark world but you're not sure how, Challenging Conversations is the book you've been waiting for. With straightforward answers to some of the most challenging moral issues disrupting the church, this book will help you build your confidence using three simple steps to becoming a conversant Christian. Each chapter begins with a true story, clarifies misconceptions and misunderstandings about the subject, and equips you to build rapport, ask the right questions, find points of agreement, and take the next fruitful step in the relationship. Because even if we disagree on a moral issue, that shouldn't make us mortal enemies.

Sujets

Philosophie et théologie

Christian theology

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Publié par	Baker Publishing Group
Date de parution	27 octobre 2020
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781493427796
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0408€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

© 2020 by Jason Jimenez
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2779-6
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ® ), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified ® Bible (AMP), copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible ® (NASB), copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® . NIV ® . Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. ™
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Published in association with The Bindery Agency, www.TheBinderyAgency.com.
“Our world is filled with the noise of competing voices shouting about topics that make many Christians uncomfortable: sex addiction and pornography, suicide, gender-confusion, divorce, politics . . . the list goes on. Challenging Conversations will equip you to speak clearly and confidently about God’s perspective on these issues in a way that honors him and opens doors.”
Jim Daly, president, Focus on the Family
“Are you afraid or unprepared to talk about taboo topics in the church—topics that affect people dramatically? Jason Jimenez shows you how to minister to people biblically on divorce, sex, homosexuality, racism, pornography, abortion, politics, and more. I don’t know of any other book that covers so many important current issues in such a practical way.”
Dr. Frank Turek, founder of Crossexamined.org and coauthor of I Don ’ t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
“Could it be possible that having challenging conversations instead of avoiding them is actually good for the church, not bad? Could such conversations, if done differently, bring God-pleasing unity rather than division? Could the secret to having such conversations be to care more and not less about the topics so many Christians fear? Jason Jimenez thinks the answer to each of these questions is YES, and after reading both the why and the how in this book, I bet you will agree.”
John Stonestreet, president, Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and coauthor of A Practical Guide to Culture
“Say goodbye to both culture-war aggression and conflict avoidance. Jason Jimenez shows how to love others while still loving the truth—even when it comes to the tough topics that baffle Christians today. The timing of this book for the church, and for our society, could not be better.”
Jeff Myers, PhD, president, Summit Ministries
“Somehow in American Christianity it has become Christlike to “live and let live” and never rock the boat or spark iron-sharpening-iron conversations in any way. But those days are over, and challenging conversations have come back into play. In this amazing book, written by our good friend Jason Jimenez, Christians can once again be equipped to speak the truth in love and have those conversations that are so desperately needed today.”
David and Jason Benham, bestselling authors of Whatever the Cost and nationally acclaimed entrepreneurs
“Do you want to get better at leading your children and others to truth rather than hitting them over the head with Scripture until they cry “uncle!”? Good! This book will help. Jason’s three tactics—relate, investigate, and translate—will help you advocate for truth in ways that keep conversations going. I’ve already used these to better frame opportunities I’ve had to listen, learn, and influence others—and they work. So do Jason’s suggestions to end discussions well. You’ll love his three questions that honor everyone. They make follow-up more realistic and effective so that discussions do become ongoing conversations. His examples will help you implement the ideas successfully. You can have true give-and-take, listen-and-learn conversations and not one-and-done discussions. Your children will more willingly admit they’re confused and be more open to your ideas. This increases your power!”
Kathy Koch, PhD, founder and president, Celebrate Kids, Inc.; cofounder, Ignite the Family; and author of Five to Thrive : How to Determine If Your Core Needs Are Being Met ( and What to Do When They ’ re Not )
“My friend Jason Jimenez gets what is lost on so many Christian leaders today: you can’t dodge tough issues. You must engage them or become irrelevant. And Jason does engage them, with persuasive content and an artful method. Get this book and master it. You’ll learn Jason’s knack for asking great questions that invite listeners to consider if maybe, just maybe, the Christian worldview has something to say about the toughest issues of our day.”
Scott Klusendorf, president, Life Training Institute
“Jason Jimenez knows of what he speaks. He has worked with teens and families for many years, walking with them through good times and bad. His book Challenging Conversations distills that experience into wisdom. The questions he answers are the ones our cynical, skeptical, and secular friends and family members are asking. His answers are short, sharp, and compassionate. This is a book we need.”
Warren Cole Smith, president, MinistryWatch, and coauthor of Restoring All Things : God ’ s Audacious Plan to Change the World through Everyday People
I dedicate this book to two dear friends who have long inspired me to serve our Lord and be a champion of the faith.
Norm Geisler ( 1932–2019 )
You shaped my worldview, loved me as a son, and taught me how to live for Christ. I am forever grateful to God for our friendship and can’t wait until we are reunited in heaven. I miss you dearly!
David Florian
Your faithful prayers and generosity have bestowed on me the privilege to teach, write, and minister to families. Your friendship has been a gift that propels me forward.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Struggle to Communicate
We, members of the church, are to fight alongside one another in the trenches and not be so entrenched in our views that we stop fellowshiping with one another. To do this, we need to start hashing out critical issues to regain some clarity and—hopefully—unity as well.
1. The Three Highly Effective Tactics of a Conversant Christian
To become an advocator of God’s truth, you will need to gain knowledge regarding the controversial issues discussed in this book and learn how to use the three tactics that will help you handle any challenging conversation: relate ( personalize the conversation), investigate (analyze the conversation), and translate (harmonize the conversation).
Part 1 Challenging Conversations about Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Pornography
2. Can a Person Who Suffers from Depression or Mental Illness Really Be a Christian?
Not talking about mental illness doesn’t make it go away; it only makes it worse. This chapter explores the complexities of depression and mental illness, the misconception that Christians can’t be diagnosed with these, the troubling rise in the number of suicides, and some tips on how to help Christians who struggle.
3. Is Substance Abuse a Disease or a Choice?
The spiritual roots of addiction are pervasive in the church. Scores of churchgoers are living with addiction to drugs and alcohol. This chapter attempts to answer the hotly debated question, Is addiction a disease or a choice? and offers ways to meet people in their pain and help them find freedom in Christ.
4. Is Church an Appropriate Place to Talk about Pornography?
One of the most alarming statistics in the church is the number of Christians who look at pornography every week. Yet due to the stigma associated with it, most churches are too afraid to break the silence and speak up. This chapter confronts the sexual bondage associated with pornography and offers a road map for churches to follow as they attempt to speak the truth and extend hope to those affected by pornography.
Part 2 Challenging Conversations about Sex, Divorce, and Sexuality
5. What’s So Bad about Having Sex before Marriage?
Saving sex for marriage seems to be a thing of the past for most Christians these days. This chapter challenges this attitude through the clear teaching of God’s Word and demonstrates how to persevere and remain sexually pure.
6. When Are Divorce and Remarriage Okay?
Divorce is increasingly common in the church, yet many Christians struggle with whether most divorces and remarriages are biblical. The purpose of this chapter is to define a biblical marriage, lay out the biblical reasons for divorce, and consider how to respond to some confusing questions about divorce and remarriage.
7. Can Someone Be Gay or a Transgender Person and Still Be a Christian?
With all the layers of confusion about sexual orientation