Second Generation Syndrome

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2 G S

• Second Generation Syndrome

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Stories of those converted from Catholicism or
Denominations

• appreciation for conversion - zeal thirst for
  knowledge
• contrast with those who grow up in the church
• observations and experiences - need to learn some
  lessons
• Majority of young people leaving the church - has
  been crisis in the past
• Thinking changes from childhood to being an adult
  (1 Cor 13.11)
• blessings of being exposed to the truth - but
  there are some liabilities as well (Prov 22.6)
• some things we 2gers need to think about and
  possibly adjust
• going to look at some areas that may be a problem
  for us in spite of good intentions

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• some things that might be affected
• Growing up may cause us to wonder about what we
  have been taught
• going to church as more of a thats what we
  do than what we want and need
• Avoiding people in the world because we dont
  know how to approach them
• want to get away from all the restrictions and
  have some fun ...
• We may find that we gave in to influence or
  pressure instead of real conviction
• May not develop the ability to truly question and
  search our own hearts / minds
• Experience cannot be taught - its personal

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• Going to look at 3 areas that might be a problem
  for us as we get older and become adults
• Identity
• Perspectives
• Teaching

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Identity who are we / what are we

• Inherited religion
• Differences belief out of habit / conviction
• Rom 10.17 Faith and word of God
• Rom 10.1-3 Zeal not according to knowledge
• Heb 11.6 Them that diligently seek him
• Luke 22.32 When thou art converted
• Baptism not always conversion

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Identity who are we / what are we

• Cant inherit faith, influenced by parents
• 2 Tim 1.5 the unfeigned faith that is in thee
• Faith is acquired not inherited
• Phil 2.12 work out your own salvation
• 2 Cor 13.5 good to question selves
• Acts 17.11 searched the scriptures daily
• No 2nd generation, No Grandchildren

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Identity who are we / what are we

• Cant inherit faith, influenced by parents
• 2 Tim 1.5 the unfeigned faith that is in thee
• Faith is acquired not inherited
• Phil 2.12 work out your own salvation
• 2 Cor 13.5 good to question selves
• Acts 17.11 searched the scriptures daily
• No 2nd generation, No Grandchildren

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Identity who are we / what are we

• Group think - making decisions based on what our
  friends / family believe
• Gal 2.11-12 - Peter taken away in the error
• Majority consensus does not establish doctrine -
  everybody else believes that
• When in doubt - let the word talk - God has the
  final say not our friends or family
• Seems to be just good fellowship but can lead to
  problems
• 1 Cor 1.10, 11.18 - there are divisions among you
  
• Our buddies should never sway our beliefs - we
  can strengthen one another
• We shouldnt be a Christian just because of Mom
  Dad, or, to make them happy
• Its our relationship with God that matters - our
  eternity is on the line

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Perspectives

• How we view the world
• There is evil in the world and people are caught
  up in it
• Gen 8.21 - the imagination of man's heart is
  evil from his youth
• 2 Tm226 - And that they may recover themselves
  out of the snare of the devil, who are taken
  captive by him at his will.
• 2 Cor 4.4 - god of this world blinds the mind

folks think the same way we do - John 3.16 - God
loved the world - sent Christ to save them 2
Cor511 Knowing therefore the terror of the
Lord, we persuade men -
do we care enough to try to save them
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Perspectives

• some attitudes that shouldnt be
• Eph54 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish
  talking, - using slang names for groups
• If we are using names like that how do we hope
  to teach
• Col46 - Let your speech be alway with grace,
  seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought
  to answer every man. (Do no damage with what we
  say or our attitudes) - rules of engagement)
• Mt1235 - A good man out of the good treasure of
  the heart bringeth forth good things and an
  evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth
  evil things.
• Well you know were Christians and theyre evil
  ....
• Just because God condemns what some people do
  doesnt condone hate -
• God loves everybody - doesnt like everything
  that everybody does
• Bad attitudes have led to bad things ...

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Teaching

• Combat mentality
• Difference between zeal aggresion
• Gods word scary enough
• 2 Cor 5.11 Terror of the Lord
• 2 Tim 2.24-25 The servant of the Lord
• Gal 6.1-2 Those who are spiritual restore
• Times when we need to stand our ground
• Match approach with listener
• Armor of God is defensive as well as offensively
• Eph 6.17 surgical instrument to save

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Teaching

• What teaching really is
• Spend a lot of time learning the steps, canned
  arguments and other things
• Get stopped in our tracks when they dont work
  that way we thought they would
• Need to learn how to teach by teaching - dont
  be discouraged
• Best teachers have made a lot of mistakes but
  have learned from them
• Rescue mission to lost world - spiritual EMT -
  people are dying

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Teaching

• Children in homes where one parent is a Christian
  and other is not
• Know struggles to remain faithful
• Know what it means to have someone you love who
  is lost and not listening
• Need to learn to care for other peoples souls
  like they are our own family

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• Conclusion
• Some things we need to remember
• Blessing
• Parents
• Change
• Examine
• Compassion
• Represent
• Real Fun
• Understanding
• Dont Judge
• Excuses
• Accomplishment