What I learned

In the long, long, long, long, long, long time I have spent here at Atonement, I have learned many things. The most important thing I have learned, though, is how to use my religious training. I have learned so much about how to use my faith, like how to reflect my life in what movies I watch, the music I listen to, what to do when someone has lost a loved one, what to say to someone who has been deeply hurt, what to say to someone is tempted to turn away from the Lord, what to do when someone pressures me to sin, and what to do with someone who keeps on living a deliberately sinful life.

The movies that I watch can affect other people. If I watch bad movies and shows, I might end up doing some of those things. As Christians that are filled with God’s love, we shouldn’t watch things that are evil. I also need to warn others of a questionable show or movie.

The music I listen to must also show Christ. If a non-believer sees me listening to ungodly music, it will set a wrong example of Christians. Music should glorify God and benefit each other. If I see a Christian that is listening to bad music, I should go and talk to them, and ask them to stop, because they are putting themselves at the risk of Hell. When listening to music, you must ask yourself, what does the music stand for, and what does the artist stand for.

I have learned that when someone has lost a loved one, you must remind them that God is in control, and he will take care of them. I must also remind them that the lost person is going to heaven, and that they will be happier there than anything here on earth. I must use this to comfort other Christians in times of loss.

Being deeply hurt, well, it hurts. When someone is deeply hurt, I should tell them that Jesus suffered the same things, betrayal, hatred. I should help them to forgive that person that hurt them and remind the one who is hurt that God will use that pain in a way that you may not know, like bringing someone to faith in him.

When someone is tempted to turn away from God, they must expect God to take away the blessing that he has given to you. They must also know that is deadly sin, and it dooms them to life in hell. I also must find out why they want to turn away, and try to help them fix the problem.

When someone pressures me to sin, I must know that my soul is at risk. When someone pressures me to sin, they are risking their soul and eternal damnation and torture in Hell. When I am tempted to sin, I must stand firm in my faith and not falter from the Lord.

When someone lives a self-destructing life, I need to tell them of their error and that they are dooming themselves to Hell, and talk to them one on one privately. If this doesn’t work, I must bring in some witnesses. If that fails, I must bring in the pastor. I should go to them one on one constantly, not just once. If all else fails they must be excommunicated.

At Atonement, I have learned to watch good movies, and listen to good music, help with a death of a family member or friend, what to do and say to someone who has been emotionally scarred, what to do when a Christian wants to turn away from Jesus Christ, how to resist temptation, and how to try to help those who are living a self-destructive lifestyle. That is how I can use what I’ve learned at Atonement in the real world.

Gabriel - Grade 8