Update: Click here to see the video interview
As I mentioned in a couple of previous posts, tonight’s the night to interview Alex the Atheist in front of 3 of our high school small groups tonight. While I’ve been thinking about this interview for a couple of weeks, today I’m putting the questions on paper. Here’s what I have so far. I’d love your thoughts, especially on the closing challenge.
Section 1: Who is Alex
– What is your family like? (siblings, pets, quirks, Jewish Dad, Christian Mom – neither active in their faith)
– Where did you go to high school? (I know it’s the same school as most of my students – just trying to help them connect with him)
– When did you graduate?
– What did you love/hate about school?
– What makes you happy?
– What do you do for fun?
Section 2: What Does Alex believe about God, life, beginning & end of existence?
– You’ve described yourself as an Atheist, but have also said you’re not sure exactly what to believe. Can you explain for us where you stand on the existence of God?
– What has been your biggest influence that lead to this belief?
– Do you believe Jesus existed? If yes, what do you believe about him?
– What do you believe about the beginning of time & space? (Where did everything come from?)
– What do you believe about death? (What happens when we die?)
— Student questions
Section 3: What’s your take on religions?
– What impression do you have about religions? (all religions)
— You’re friends with Christians and Atheists and maybe people of other religions. How has being in the middle of so many varied beliefs affected your outlook on God and life in general?
Section 4: Christians – The good, the bad & the ugly
– What positive experiences have you had with Christians?
– Were you invited to church when you were in high school?
— How did you/would you have responded?
– What do you believe makes a person a Christian or not a Christian?
– If you were to become a Christian, what are some of the aspects of the Christian life that would draw you in?
– What are some aspects of the Christian life that push you away from wanting to be one?
– Have you ever been hurt, offended or felt excluded by Christians?
– What opinion do you have of Christians overall?
– In G-rated terms, how do your friends look at Christians? (dismissive, with pity, indignation, curiosity…)
– As a non-believer, what advice would you give to a Christian about the image they project to the non-believing world?
— Student questions
Section 5: Wrap up/Challenge
Questions for students:
– What are your thoughts about how we’re perceived among those who don’t believe?
– How can this discussion affect the way you image you project through your day-to-day life/choices?
– Do you understand how Alex could form his impression of Christians?
– What can you do starting right away to change this?
Challenge:
– Make a list of non-believing friends at your school who you can make a positive impact on for Christ this week
– Pastor Rick said in the adult service this week that we bring glory to God by the way we represent him to non-believers. He used two verses to make his point:
— “Always be ready to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have within you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)
— “As God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:15 (NLT)
– We need to be respectful and gentle with non-believers. (In reality, we need to treat everybody this way.) Why is it important that we care about how non-believers perceive Christians?
– I want to help you realize the importance of three things:
1. The way we’re perceived as Christians
2. What affect your life has on the non-Christian world (like wearing a WWJD wristband while cheating off your friend’s homework assignment)
3. The impact we can have by living intentionally in a way that brings others to Christ rather than repelling them.
Filed under: Lesson Helpers, Video Interviews | Tagged: Atheist, christian, interview, perception, perspective, questions | 1 Comment »