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Miracle (2004)
IMDB rating: 7.50
Plot: The inspiring story of the team that transcended its sport and united a nation with a new feeling of hope. Based on the true story of one of the greatest moments in sports history, the tale captures a time and place where differences could be settled by games and a cold war could be put on ice. In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team’s coach, Herb Brooks, took a ragtag squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games. Despite the long odds, Team USA carried the pride of a nation yearning from a distraction from world events. With the world watching the team rose to the occasion, prompting broadcaster Al Michaels’ now famous question, to the millions viewing at home: Do you believe in miracles? Yes!
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check it
Directors: O’Connor Gavin
Actors: Russell Kurt,Emmerich Noah,McCann Sean,Welsh Kenneth,Cahill Eddie,Demsey Patrick O’Brien,Mantenuto Michael,West Nathan,Mitchell Kenneth,Peter-Kaiser Eric,Hanson Bobby,Cure Joseph,Schneider Billy,Miller Nate,Drama,Family,History,Sport,
I need help. My students are not believing.?
I run a local small church.I am the lead pastor and I also run the Sunday school programs for teens.
I am very confident that my teaching of the lord comes straight from my heart. The problem is the Sunday School program. A group of teens that I have known since they were in their diapers started questioning the existence of God and Jesus Christ. I told them that they have to have faith in God and the miracles do occur every single day. They told me that they want facts that Jesus really died for our sins. They are turning away from God. It really breaks my heart to see them do that.
I need some advice. Are there any information at all that I can get that proves that Jesus was a real man who died for our sins? What should I tell them to make them believe?
I tried so hard. I feel like I am failing them. I pray for them everyday. What should I do?
accept that people have minds on their own and that there are valid opinions aside of yours
smoking frog | Feb 06, 2010
Accept the fact that they arn’t buying the b.s anymore and move on to the next group for brainwashing.
Stompy | Feb 06, 2010
Why don’t you investigate this question with them sincerely and respectfully?
jaicee | Feb 06, 2010
i think you should allow them to make rational decisions, if they have true faith, they will never deviate from religion. and you wouldn’t want aetheists being part of your church anyway. if religion wasn’t forced upon them, they may be more open to it; remember, teenagers like to rebel from what is forced on them.
Ryan B | Feb 06, 2010
Stop forcing your beliefs on them, you are the worst kind of Theist.
Snake | Feb 06, 2010
You can’t really prove that Jesus died for our sins, no. Christianity is based on faith, so you’re supposed to believe these things without proof. If you do, then you’re rewarded in the afterlife. Don’t try to scare them or coax them into believing in Jesus. If they believe, then they will go to church and all that. If not, then they’ll turn to another faith that they can believe in or they’ll simply not practice any religion at all. Whatever the case, you should be happy for them.
Ryan | Feb 06, 2010
My advice to you is this: leave those kids alone. They’re smarter than you.
Sam | Feb 06, 2010
How can you be a lead pastor of a church and not know where to get resources? Try at your local christian book store, do some internet research into the existence of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The information is out there, you just need to look.
saved_by_grace | Feb 06, 2010
Faith is not what you think it is. It is not blind faith that He is real but rather you must believe in Him and then have the faith that He will deliver.
You need to present them with some evidence of God (I suggest a Dr. William Lane Craig debate) and THEN preach faith.
Sarah | Feb 06, 2010
Teens’ job is to question everything - this is "the age of not believing" - and frankly, faith unexamined is not worth much. It’s great that they are smart enough to ask these questions - and God can stand up to the scrutiny - because if, when, they do come to a place of faith it will be true and genuine. But it’s something that they will need to experience for themselves. You can’t force someone to believe anything - that’s not what belief means. You can only share what makes *you* believe, including the factual history, and pray that they have their own experiences that lead them to that place of faith too.
Cam B | Feb 06, 2010
They want facts, give them facts!
If you have any, that is.
Anonnie Mouse | Feb 06, 2010
They are growing up and developing personal opinions you need to let them become themselves. Its hard to let people youve known from so long go away from what you have believed together but sometimes you just have to let them go. Just talk to them about why they are turning away from faith but do it respectfully if they are being disrespectful it will be hard but let them be. They will see you are not trying to push it on them and it might help bring them back in. I dont personally have a religion but I do think it is interesting.
snowman | Feb 06, 2010
That’s why I am not a christian:)
SKY | Feb 06, 2010
Woohoo! More soon-to-be-atheist young adults. No, there is no proof for your God, in fact their is no evidence whatsoever that Jesus, who was described in the bible, existed. There is no evidence for a historical Jesus.
If you want your kids to stop questioning Jesus, the only thing you can do is the Catholic thing. Beat them over the head with a yard stick.
Joshua | Feb 06, 2010
give up on religion altogether and go into the hotcake industry. I hear it’s doing wonderfully…
Vanessa | Feb 06, 2010
Its called critical thinking. This new generation is seeing thru the lies sorry to say but its true.
Godalmighty | Feb 06, 2010
Tell them the truth, that Jesus to our present level of human consciousness was most certainly a mortal, a man, just like we see in this age, but to Jesus, He only saw His spiritual identity as the Christ. Had He seen otherwise, the resurrection would have been a pipe dream for Him and the mortal consciousness of men.
Remember, human thought by default hates truth. If your job is to plant a only a seed for now, then be satisfied with this step. It is not your job to "make" a "person" believe anything. When the are thirsty enough, they will come, but for now maybe they need a harsh dosage of suffering and confusion in order to bring about the necessary change in thought and heart.
Know that when one says "I do not believe." that this in no manner is God’s image expressing Himself, but a seeming mortal consciousness hiding from truth.
heyDavid | Feb 06, 2010
The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and proves the scriptures. God proves Himself to all people through His Spirit. He convicts all people.
People know when they are convicted. They know when they are under conviction. They know God has convicted them. When they ask God to forgive them, the conviction goes away and peace and joy are restored. Only God can forgive us.
Thomas H | Feb 06, 2010
Are you using the bible? Hebrew 4:12 tells us (Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart. If you are not using God’s word you will not reach their hearts. Click on the link below to find out "What the Bible Really Teaches." Young people deal in truth if your sermons are not rooted in God’s word you will not be successful. Hope the publications leads you and your young people to Jehovah God. (Psalm 83:18) That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_0 0.htm
Nikkita | Feb 06, 2010
The Bible.
Alexis | Feb 06, 2010
You are not failing them, why not let them take their own way? Just ask yourself, is it better to force them into something they don’t believe? Relax man, you are just a human like the rest of us.
toupoutsou | Feb 06, 2010
If they don?t believe Moses and the prophets neither will they believe even if one rose from the dead. Move on to someone who is willing to have faith in that which is righteousness.
Felphil | Feb 06, 2010
They’re teenagers. Questioning is what teens do. They stop just listening to what their elders say and examine all aspects of life for themselves. If you work with teens–especially when it involves religions–you’re going to get a lot of this. If it breaks your heart then you need to find a different occupation because it’s how it’s going to be.
I’m a former Catholic. Questioned and finally left the faith. Part of it was people were pushing too much when they found I had my doubts. If you try too hard you will get a result opposite of what you want.
Here’s an idea: when I was in 8th grade we had a teacher who didn’t have us open the text book much. Instead she had us bring up any topic we wanted about the Church, our society, and the Church’s views on different issues. We then discussed and were even allowed to debate against it if we wanted so long as it was kept respectful to people (whether they were strong in faith or doubting). The ground rules were respect to others and their beliefs. If an argument ensued then the discussion would end and we would read aloud from the text book things we’d studied our whole lives (which was quite boring by that time). It could be anything from abortion to why god allowed different things (ex: disease) to happen. What did it achieve? From the simple to the very complex.
What I’m saying is: you have to allow them to doubt. You have to allow them to ask questions. Look it up and give what answers you can. Then listen to their responses–don’t brush off their doubts because that’s not helping. And don’t use the answer that my high school teachers used: "Because that’s what the Church says." Teens don’t want to be told, they want to talk and have you truly listen. A two-way conversation.
ferrisulf | Feb 06, 2010
you stated that you have known them from their diaper days. that means that they have known you since they were very young. perhaps the methods that you are using are not the correct ones for today’s teens. you may be preaching to them and today’s teens don’t like that. they prefer more of a dialogue and discussion atmosphere. perhaps they don’t see in your life what you are trying to get them to believe. despite the old adage of "do as i say not as i do" children and teens will do as they see and not what they are told. take a good look at your life and make sure that the life that you are living privately and publicly is the life that you want others to see and emulate. just because you are the lead pastor does not necessarily mean that you are living a holy and GOD filled life. try taking them out of the classroom and out into nature and show them that GOD exist through nature, through the smile of a baby, the birds in the sky. make the Holy Bible real for them personally. make GOD real for them personally. it make take time but if you do these things i truly believe that you will bring them to back to GOD and HIS miraculous ways. please though continue to pray for them and for yourself.
christina c | Feb 06, 2010
Pastor what you need is power. That can only come from the Holy Spirit. The teens need a personal experience with Jesus! If the Holy Spirit is not in the teachings, they will fall away. I taught 7-12th grade Bible Reading Class, by the time December Came around a total of19 students had made a decision for Christ! I felt the power of God as I was teaching, therefore it was not me it was the Holy Spirit. It was an awesome experience to see these kids change, and I am talking about some hard core kids, not from the suburbs. You first need to be Baptized with the Holy Spirit and or a fresh infilling, for there is one Baptisim but many fillings. Paul said In I Corinthians 2:4-5 "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
I hope this help you, Grace and Peace
talesciar | Feb 06, 2010
have them do a sermon for the others on what their favorite out of the bible, and let the spirit light the way thur them!
Lord of the Watchtower | Feb 06, 2010
Apparently your beliefs involve free will. Last I checked, Christianity was never about having "proof." The rules are "blind faith." There is no proof, and there’s not supposed to be. You either take it or leave it. I chose to leave it, but that’s not for everyone.
Perhaps try to appeal to a younger generation? Bring back the Buddy Christ? I dunno.
whitelightning5 | Feb 06, 2010
If it’s a matter of faith, well, faith can be attached to anything…
no reason it has to be, without prior reason, attached where you suggest!
Crystals, homeopathy, Baha’i… there are lots of potential objects for faith.
And yes, if believed in with faith confirmation tends to appear: that’s how it works.
Things which don’t conform are disbelieved, by faith, and things that do are noted and faith is reinforced.
Your obvious start point, however, if you simply don’t believe out of habit or indoctrination is explaining why *you* believe. I trust you are clear on that.
(I’m dodging the suspicion for the moment that you are merely a troll.)
Pedestal 42 | Feb 06, 2010
How can one truly know what they believe or that they are walking the right spiritual path if they never question?
It is quite normal in a child’s development to begin exploring and questioning in the teen years, as with adulthood fast approaching, they are trying to figure out who they are as individuals and where they fit into the world. It’s a confusing time - trying to force them to believe what YOU want them to will only push them away further. And blind faith can be a dangerous thing in today’s world where there are a lot of crazy folks out there praying on children. Try to be understanding, teach them what you know, and cut them a little slack to question, be honest and tell them you don’t have "all" the answers as no human does. Often times questioning and searching leads one to become stronger in their own faith.
I’m rather curious - you run a church and you aren’t aware yourself that there is no evidential proof of the story of Jesus?
Crystal clear | Feb 06, 2010
Too bad. If more churches rightly divided the word of God, belief would be no problem.
You said: "I am very confident that my teaching of the lord comes straight from my heart". Well, if it is not coming from the rightly divided word of God, then it is a false teaching. Doctrine not only needs to be scripturally correct, it needs to be dispensationally correct.
Miracles are not commonplace occurrences today. I would never say that God can not perform miracles, but the age of signs, miracles, and wonders has passed, as these things were given at a particular point in time as a sign for unbelieving Jews in Israel, that they would believe that Jesus was the Christ.
Once Israel rejected Christ both in His ministry on earth, and as the risen Christ, and were cast aside by God, and concluded in unbelief along with other nations, there was no more need for miracles and signs.
Paul was given the revelation of the mystery, and the scriptures are now complete. We must walk by faith that what is written is the truth. A believer does not seek evidence.
If you really want to reach the young people, and teach the word of God rightly divided, visit:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org
Find the link to their Sunday School Program on the left side of the page. It is called Growing Up in Grace, and teaches the unadulterated grace of God. It is very effective, and let’s face it, if you are not teaching the word rightly divided, you are not teaching the truth.
The Beloved Apostle Paul | Feb 06, 2010
Your Church’s prayer team should also pray for them. Let them see your care for them and for God. Verses such as Psalm 46:10 might be useful. Give them a book called Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell or study it with them. It’s an account of the evidence, including prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, archaeological discoveries that validate the New Testament events (such as ancient inscriptions and the court where Jesus was tried by Pilate), the writings of non-Christians in ancient Rome verifying Jesus and his followers existed, the Lord, Liar or Lunatic argument and the unique Christian experience.
sun, moon, earth | Feb 06, 2010
You should think instead of bleat.
Does it not occur to you that maybe your students are RIGHT?
Leonard | Feb 06, 2010
Continue in the Lord’s work, this is not an easy task.
Young minds without the help of there parents to infuse religion upon them at a young age will suffer until they begin to question themself.
Sadly, the latter will usually occur when they are older and in a difficult situation; problems, illness etc…
The above is a terrible condition to see because our Lord would love for everyone to come to Him in good health and/or good spirit; accepting the Lord without anything in return is such a beautiful way to present ourself before the Almighty.
Remember, your students are young and the World around them is full of obstacles that tear at the very fabric of faith.
The old saying: you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make the horse drink is so very true.
I see the above all the time and it is difficult to view, time and time again I fail to gain any resolve.
However, I never give up hope ~ although I move on to other individuals that may appear to have possibility.
Our Lord provided a magnificent passage in the bible that we are to follow.
Remember, in your case when trying to speak to the young try to give more of an opportunity to reach out.
Additionally, you may need to address/speak to each of the students on a one to one basis since everyone has different thoughts/expectations.
Jesus said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." Mark 6:10, 11
Remaining in the same house as a guest (Mark 6:10) rather than moving to another offering greater comfort avoided any impression of seeking advantage for oneself and prevented dishonor to one’s host.
Shaking the dust off one’s feet served as testimony against those who rejected the call to repentance.
Finally, I believe the Lord’s passage would be more in line when speaking to an adult, the younger minds will require more work.
God bless’
Kazoo M | Feb 06, 2010
Continue to pray for them…Prayer is the greatest thing you could ever do for someone.There is this lady at my church who’s son was lost for almost 10 years, and one day he just showed up at the church and God filled him with the holy ghost and he was baptized later on in the service.The lady said her, the pastor, and other saints never stopped praying for him.It is amazing what God can do…Remeber The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
I myself am teenager so I know what it is like to see my generation slipping from the Truth
pentecostalgirl | Feb 06, 2010
I’m now a pagan but I went to a Catholic church when I was younger. I turned away from that religion because whoever was preaching seemed to lack passion in what they believed in. CCD was just about reading the passages in our workbooks. It was never about exploring our own religious convictions.
Perhaps it is how you’re teaching them. You can’t prove Jesus died for our sins, it’s a matter of faith. You can’t make someone believe in something they don’t but you can talk openly about yours and their beliefs.
I would just say keep an open dialog and try to connect on a personal level. The relationship between teacher and student is sort of professional. Break down some walls and make it personal. I think my experience with Catholicism would have been if my teacher held discussions with us or had other activities.
Kat | Feb 06, 2010
This isn’t new. I went to sunday school in the sixties and I thought it was a bunch of crap then. I used to be removed from catechism classes when I was a teen and had to sit in the vestibule until I found faith, I still haven’t found it.
jonds | Feb 06, 2010
Well they need to be taught the rewards of serving god and following in Jesus foot steps..I dont know what religon you are and whether you teach going to hell or heaven ? and depending on the age ..that can be a problem..I think you must ask them questions..ask about there opinions..that will first of all make them feel important..and get there attention..Ask something like
If you could ask jesus one question what would it be? stimulate there minds..make learning fun..
teach them why the bible has principle..the bible is to teach us how to have a more fulfilling life..and keep us from a destructive one that could hurt us..sex for example..the bible says to withstain..and if you dont it can lead to diseases -unwanted pregnancy- low self esteem..cause they were just used for sex..there are so many things you can say and do..you can always use the questions of what are you pressures in life/school etc..get involved in there life and find out whats going on..and it will make it easier for you cause you will have more knowledge of them and there personalities..
lillypad | Feb 06, 2010
Are they believers in the Bible? Did you show them the scriptures that support what you are trying to teach them?
Passion | Feb 06, 2010
I asked a catholic priest once when was the time of Adam and Eve. He gave me a few time-lines and how they came about them. Then he gave me a shocker. He stated they might never have existed as is portrayed in the bible. But may have been a myth that came about to give us a starting point. Just as some things in the bible are analogies or stories to show us the lessons of how we should lead our life’s.
Unfortunately the bible also shows a negative god. The supreme creator of all would never have one of his children kill in his name. The bible or church is also where the dark lord lurks.
The biggest problem with what you wrote and also I guess one of the problems with the church is. When you said "What should I tell them to make them believe?" Its the work make. If you force someone to believe you are taking away the most precious thing granted to us. Free will.
Look at almost all of the religious or spiritual belief systems of the world. Look at the basic tenets of them. They are so similar to each other. But most will say the others are wrong and only theirs is right. When in fact if you take the positive parts of any of them you will find the truth. Leave the negative parts that man put in them behind.
Teaching of the lord doesn’t come from the heart. It comes from having a strong connection to the creator through the spirit of what the creator is. Just as Jesus was not the only child of the creator. We all are. Jesus had this strong connection to the creator. The spirit flowed through him like a nuclear reactor powering the world. Where as most of us the spirit is just a AAA battery in comparison.
When you have a strong spiritual connection and the creator flows through you, it will feel as if your body is flowing with a electrical charge through every cell of your being. Those that know feel it know but for most it comes and goes. When it goes you feel such a strong loss of such a big part of who you are.
Jesus didn’t die for our sins, that is a story created by the church. Jesus came to teach the way, then was persecuted because he taught the truth. The creator didn’t kick us out of
Eden. We walked out when we turned our backs on the creator. There is no gate on Eden, we are always free to walk back in. No punishment, no condemnation, no hell. Just a big welcome home.
What should you do. Find the spirit of the creator, feel the electrical energy of this dance across you being. Learn the truth, then you will have the ability to be able to teach.
You notice I didn’t use the word God. Why? because everyone has their own thoughts on what this is and most don’t even come close to what this is. That is why I use the word creator.
I have been condemned by many to a hell created by man. You won’t get a negative response from me when this happens. When you feel the spirit as I do. It doesn’t really matter.
I plant the seed, nurture it as much as I can. Then hope something beautiful sprouts and blossoms into what is meant to be.
I Shall Be That I Shall Be | Feb 06, 2010
Hahahahahahahahahahaha. If you can tape your exploits, I would pay a lot of money to watch that.
Good luck.
Mahmoud Levenstein | Feb 06, 2010
they probably read this web page http://www.exposingchristianity.com/
Jane | Feb 06, 2010
