Once they had gotten in the corner, or as close as they could all fit into the corner, Shayna and Dani left, with the combinations to Stacey's, Jimmy's, and Cindy's lockers, to go get their Bibles out of their lockers. On the way they talked about how awesome this day was going and how what God did never ceased to amaze them. It did not take more than two minutes for them to go to three lockers and be back in the gymnasium.
"Ok, so there are enough of us, to each take two or three. So you all divide your selves among the five of us. The kids split up, Shayna and Dani each had three, while Jimmy and Cindy and Stacey each go two.
"Ok, so what do you want to know?" Shayna said once they had gotten into their groups."
"The Spoken For song. It mentions a risen Lord, and also says 'to hear you say this one's mine, my heart is spoken for.' Well, how do we know that Jesus was really raised from the dead, or if there's even a God out there? And, even if that's proven, how can you know God's accepted you as his child?"
"Well, there is scientific proof as to the resurrection. For example, no archeologists have ever found a single bone that belonged to Jesus. And by saying you've never seen God so there is no God, well, either you haven't seen the gymnasium around us, or you're saying that there is no such thing as a brain, or any other internal organ, that there are no bacteria, that there aren't other galaxies. If anyone in this gymnasium has seen an internal organ, or any of the above, well they are one of very few. For the rest of us it takes faith. If someone walked in here, right now and said any of the above didn't exist, you'd think they were crazy! How much different is it to say that there is no God, just because you haven't seen it, by no means says it doesn't exist."
"As for your second question God said he'd accept us, all we have to do is admit that we can't save ourselves, and give up our live. Actually, I had a hard time with that one for a while, and then one day, after a Bible study I asked God, 'how do I know?' anyways, the next day at church they talked about the rapture, and all I could think was, how awesome would it be to be taken in the twinkling of a eye. There was no question; the pastor asked if we knew that in case the rapture happened tomorrow, would we be taken. There was not a doubt in my head, I just knew. God just gives you an assurance, that you just can't ignore."
Dani had joined Shayna's group when Stacey had to borrow her Bible. "I got a question." One of Dani's 'students' said. "I'm a cheerleader, I have a boyfriend, my parents are together, and I can't think of a single thing that's bad in my life. So why would I need God to take over and make me happy, I already am?"
"How long have you and your boyfriend been going out?"
"About 1½ years."
"If he was to die, how would you feel?"
"Horrible, I couldn't go on… I mean, how do you think I'd feel?"
"Well, while God doesn't say that if we open our hearts he will make everything perfect for us, he does say he'll provide a way out of our troubles. In other words, your boyfriend, if he were to die, you'd be devastated, but with God involved, his love would not give you happiness, for it was still your boyfriend that died, but God would give you a joy, that would allow you to move on. Not that you won't be sad, you will, but God's joy provides a harbor for your fears, and weaknesses, to where, no matter what happens you are drawn closer to Him in some way, shape or form. There's really no way to explain it besides saying that Happiness is a feeling and can come and go, while God's joy is not, and stays with you no matter if you're happy or sad, it's always there."
"Ok, so why do I need Go, I mean like I said, I'm not a Christian, and my life's picture perfect."
"Ok, well, what do you think will happen if you died tonight?"
"I'd be dead?"
The five other teens snickered. "Ok, what about after you die, in your opinion, is this life all there is, what happens to you after you die."
"Well, I suppose there's like an afterlife. I mean it does seem a little pointless if it was just this life and that's it."
"Ok, so knowing there's an afterlife, then do you believe there is a God?"
"I guess." The girl said shifting nervously on the floor. "It would be kinda hard for anything to be in existence if there wasn't some sort of God out there."
"So, what's holding you back?"
"I guess the whole thing about you have to admit that you could never be good enough. I mean, I get it, I just thought I was a pretty good kid, and that would ride me through. And by saying I need God, it's rejecting all I've been taught, all I know. It also is admitting I've sinned, which is bad."
"Let's say that you saw your friend, at the mall, cheating on her boyfriend. You know she did it, but she says she didn't, or at least doesn't admit to it. Is she still guilty?"
"Well, yea, I saw her do it!"
"Zactly! See, God sees you all the time, so he knows that you've sinned, meaning that denying it does no good. You are guilty rather you admit it or not. And it's not rejecting everything you've been taught; it's correcting the wrongs you've been taught. Yes your life will change, but it will be for the better. And yes, your friends may reject you, but you'll make better friends. "
"I guess… ok, I wanna do it!"
"Anyone else?" Dani asked. About three of the six raised their hands. "Okay, if you just raised your hand, or just want to as of now, repeat after me, k?" The three nodded. "Father, I know I am a sinner. I believe you sent your son Jesus to die on the cross for me; and that you raised him from the dead three days later. So, Father, right now I invite you into my heart, to be the Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen."
The three repeated after Dani and then looked up. It was not long before all three girls, strangers before today, were all in a bear hug, with Shayna and Dani. Shayna and Dani took the three new believers over to Blockwest. She introduced the kids as Amy, Ashley, and Andrea.
Blockwest gave the kids info as to when his church youth met, and directions, and a registration form for the upcoming retreat. Not long after Cindy, Stacey and Jimmy came over with another three new believers: Sara, Jason, and Alex