SOLO--- Christian Activities?
- Thread starter Dai3234
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
D
You might want to read up on the tabernacle and who did all the work. It certainly wasn't for pay. They were paid in cattle, and they're the ones who had to slaughter and dress them before eating. lol
I know you live way out in the sticks. (Yankee for out in the country.) But if you go to church on Sundays and Bible Study, are you the only one showing up? Assuming there are others, don't you get the purpose of church? Edify! That group edifies each other. The pastor edifies by teaching. The gardener edifies by making it look pretty. The cleaning person edifies by not making everyone sit in dusty chairs and opening dusty books. Als removing trash that falls out of pockets. And when everyone is done edifying the building and each other, then you're supposed to edify some more. If you don't have a coffee shop nearby, bring a thermos. Bring a coffee maker! After church get together and sup. (Or brunch, or tea-time, depending on when service is over.) Bring donuts, or croutons or whatever you guys eat over there for snack. (Hey, don't look at me, a cookie is supposed to be sweet, and a biscuit is not. lol) Sup! Seriously break bread together, and talk... you know, like you are family, because you are family!
And, if you find out Mrs. Jones is worried about Christmas because she and the Mr. are money-tight, but their children want presents, work together to surprise them with presents for the kids. Surprise them with Christmas dinner.
And, if you haven't seen Mr. Smith for a few weeks, give him a ring. See if he's okay. And, if you find out he broke his leg, then go over to his house to see if his lawn needs mowing, or if he has enough groceries to last him. (Dad had his leg in a cast once. He could do everything but bring in the 25 pound turkey.)
And, if you keep tripping on the church's threshold, fix the threshold! And if it's getting dim in church because the lights haven't been clean on 20 years, clean the lights.
And if Old Woman Johnson can't get her screened windows in, help her get the screens in.
Church is family. Seems to me, you'r biggest regret is not being around other people. BUT, if you're going to church, there are people.
Our last church was a sorrowful site. It was 120 years of falling apart, and there were only three middle-class families in it tithing. We had to rent pastors for sermons, because we couldn't afford a full time pastor. But we had so much fun trying to keep the place not-so-sorrowful. Two big holes in the front sideway from a spot where there used to be a trees. None of us has masonry skills, but we filled it with bricks. Two on our knees trying to make a design, and eight around us directing. It was hilarious. Had trouble putting in bricks because I was laughing too much at all the managers, (who couldn't agree on a design.) Ends up the other guy and I disagreed on design choices, so they didn't match.
Another time we tried to put in a false ceiling in the downstairs basement. One guy knew how to do it. The rest of us found ten different ways to try to be helpful to mess up his work. We were laughing at ourselves. We were inept, but being inept together brought us together as family.
One area we were all good with -- potluck dinner. Our way of bringing in the community around the church. And because we did that, we started with a reputation for good food. (You better have great food to compete in this area. Cooking meals is a trademark of family around here.) Because of that, we did help a single mother have presents for her daughter on Christmas. We took shifts when a 12 year old girl was put in an induced comma to help her fight pneumonia. She had three younger brothers and two distraught parents, so they just needed help getting through it. We helped the patriarch of family of 20 in a two bedroom house find work. No better way of finding the needs in the community then being active in church.
And I know you are lonely, but if you do for others, others will do for you. Unless you really do go to church and you're the only one there, you aren't alone. You just need to edify and be edified.
God's not worried. He knows where your edification can go to. He just needs you to go for it. What are you waiting for? You've got a church. Make it second-home.
I know you live way out in the sticks. (Yankee for out in the country.) But if you go to church on Sundays and Bible Study, are you the only one showing up? Assuming there are others, don't you get the purpose of church? Edify! That group edifies each other. The pastor edifies by teaching. The gardener edifies by making it look pretty. The cleaning person edifies by not making everyone sit in dusty chairs and opening dusty books. Als removing trash that falls out of pockets. And when everyone is done edifying the building and each other, then you're supposed to edify some more. If you don't have a coffee shop nearby, bring a thermos. Bring a coffee maker! After church get together and sup. (Or brunch, or tea-time, depending on when service is over.) Bring donuts, or croutons or whatever you guys eat over there for snack. (Hey, don't look at me, a cookie is supposed to be sweet, and a biscuit is not. lol) Sup! Seriously break bread together, and talk... you know, like you are family, because you are family!
And, if you find out Mrs. Jones is worried about Christmas because she and the Mr. are money-tight, but their children want presents, work together to surprise them with presents for the kids. Surprise them with Christmas dinner.
And, if you haven't seen Mr. Smith for a few weeks, give him a ring. See if he's okay. And, if you find out he broke his leg, then go over to his house to see if his lawn needs mowing, or if he has enough groceries to last him. (Dad had his leg in a cast once. He could do everything but bring in the 25 pound turkey.)
And, if you keep tripping on the church's threshold, fix the threshold! And if it's getting dim in church because the lights haven't been clean on 20 years, clean the lights.
And if Old Woman Johnson can't get her screened windows in, help her get the screens in.
Church is family. Seems to me, you'r biggest regret is not being around other people. BUT, if you're going to church, there are people.
Our last church was a sorrowful site. It was 120 years of falling apart, and there were only three middle-class families in it tithing. We had to rent pastors for sermons, because we couldn't afford a full time pastor. But we had so much fun trying to keep the place not-so-sorrowful. Two big holes in the front sideway from a spot where there used to be a trees. None of us has masonry skills, but we filled it with bricks. Two on our knees trying to make a design, and eight around us directing. It was hilarious. Had trouble putting in bricks because I was laughing too much at all the managers, (who couldn't agree on a design.) Ends up the other guy and I disagreed on design choices, so they didn't match.
Another time we tried to put in a false ceiling in the downstairs basement. One guy knew how to do it. The rest of us found ten different ways to try to be helpful to mess up his work. We were laughing at ourselves. We were inept, but being inept together brought us together as family.
One area we were all good with -- potluck dinner. Our way of bringing in the community around the church. And because we did that, we started with a reputation for good food. (You better have great food to compete in this area. Cooking meals is a trademark of family around here.) Because of that, we did help a single mother have presents for her daughter on Christmas. We took shifts when a 12 year old girl was put in an induced comma to help her fight pneumonia. She had three younger brothers and two distraught parents, so they just needed help getting through it. We helped the patriarch of family of 20 in a two bedroom house find work. No better way of finding the needs in the community then being active in church.
And I know you are lonely, but if you do for others, others will do for you. Unless you really do go to church and you're the only one there, you aren't alone. You just need to edify and be edified.
God's not worried. He knows where your edification can go to. He just needs you to go for it. What are you waiting for? You've got a church. Make it second-home.
I live in the UK. In the USA those actions may seem normal ish, but here, there's no interaction because people don't interact. People go to church, go home. Maybe have a cup of coffee after. 6 til 7pm service, maybe 7:30coffee. 15 minutes drive to church. They live in town, I don't. And soldiers who serve, being Christian seems impossible. You can't serve God and continue to kill.
Nevermind, it was a long shot anyway.
Nevermind, it was a long shot anyway.
Solo Christian activities come in abundance: volunteer at a food bank, go to the “ghetto” and give out blankets, go to a senior home and spend time with the aged, be like a “big brother/sister” at an orphanage. I volunteer at a pregnancy center and talk to women about choosing life; they (some) need men for the fathers too.
In essence
You will fulfill the commands of taking care of the orphan and the widow (which brings a blessing all its own), feeding the hungry…. Y-shua said we will always have the poor among you (I hope this is the correct synonym I hate synonyms…lol…).
In essence
You will fulfill the commands of taking care of the orphan and the widow (which brings a blessing all its own), feeding the hungry…. Y-shua said we will always have the poor among you (I hope this is the correct synonym I hate synonyms…lol…).
D
No, really, not interacting at church is just as common here as it is there.
And do you know what changes that? One person interacting. And, yes, it does seem freaky. But, if you think back to all the friends you've ever met, that first conversation seemed freaky too. And that first time you went out for a cuppa (or whatever) was freaky too. All kinds of uncomfortable, until it was comfortable.
The UK does "stiff upper lip." America does "self-reliant." Same thing, just a different phrase. So be the one who breaks that unspoken covenant. It's a dumb unspoken covenant.
The worse thing that can happen is nothing changes. The best thing that can happen is laughing with friends over something stupid. When Paul said, "edify," he never meant it as a polite suggestion in a quiet room. He was inspired by God to teach the church something. It was a command, not merely an idle suggestion.
Why are you reading the Bible if you have no intention of living it or believing it?
And do you know what changes that? One person interacting. And, yes, it does seem freaky. But, if you think back to all the friends you've ever met, that first conversation seemed freaky too. And that first time you went out for a cuppa (or whatever) was freaky too. All kinds of uncomfortable, until it was comfortable.
The UK does "stiff upper lip." America does "self-reliant." Same thing, just a different phrase. So be the one who breaks that unspoken covenant. It's a dumb unspoken covenant.
The worse thing that can happen is nothing changes. The best thing that can happen is laughing with friends over something stupid. When Paul said, "edify," he never meant it as a polite suggestion in a quiet room. He was inspired by God to teach the church something. It was a command, not merely an idle suggestion.
Why are you reading the Bible if you have no intention of living it or believing it?
I get your point about starting conversations etc. But I have next to nothing to say and I often go blank before I've even started. I think to "edify" others who have been Christian alot longer than me, because telling people their doing it wrong from a comparative newbie, seems, well, unqualified, even if I was. And what am I going to teach anyone?
They know the Bible more than me. I'm socially inept unless I'm talking about stuff from a set point / presentation etc.
Yes I can ask questions and sometimes do, but often I may be asking alot from the individual.
Honestly, I should have done a ray mears when I was 16 or so. Maybe I'd be less socially useless by now. Maybe. Trying to get into tract giving, but it's hard work getting past nerves on your own.
They know the Bible more than me. I'm socially inept unless I'm talking about stuff from a set point / presentation etc.
Yes I can ask questions and sometimes do, but often I may be asking alot from the individual.
Honestly, I should have done a ray mears when I was 16 or so. Maybe I'd be less socially useless by now. Maybe. Trying to get into tract giving, but it's hard work getting past nerves on your own.
I live in the UK, and I have seen the Church I go to and my brothers and sisters in Christ behave in a similiar manner to that which Depleted has described. We are a small church but we truely care for each other and try to meet each others needs. As we serve one another we grow our faith. I know many Churches who are like the way you described Dai but it isn't healthy, remember you are going to be spending eternity with these people.
D
I don't talk on phones because I can never figure out what to say. I'm with you. Just not a good conversation starter. But I can do, "Want to grab some lunch?" And I can do that with talkative people, knowing they're the one who do the talking. And they're the ones who ask me questions. And I can answer questions asked.
And who is talking about teaching? I'm talking about learning. Great way to get to that? "What did you think about the sermon today?" "Did you agree about the part where he said...? Because I don't get it." And, "What do you think about...?" Then name whatever doctrine you don't get or don't understand.
And you're forgetting, there's is always, "How are you doing? No, really! How are you doing? What's going on in your life?" Because then you neither teach nor learn. You pray.
And then there is always, "How do you think Manchester United is doing this year?" You're making friends, not gathering teachers nor students. It doesn't always have to be about God. (Although, quite possible God is involved with Manchester anyway. lol)
And who is talking about teaching? I'm talking about learning. Great way to get to that? "What did you think about the sermon today?" "Did you agree about the part where he said...? Because I don't get it." And, "What do you think about...?" Then name whatever doctrine you don't get or don't understand.
And you're forgetting, there's is always, "How are you doing? No, really! How are you doing? What's going on in your life?" Because then you neither teach nor learn. You pray.
And then there is always, "How do you think Manchester United is doing this year?" You're making friends, not gathering teachers nor students. It doesn't always have to be about God. (Although, quite possible God is involved with Manchester anyway. lol)
True, but I've never really had friends. So it's an alien thing to make new ones. I had "so called" friends from school. But they were just in school or college through football in park or drinking in pub. Or I did martial arts in a club and met those people. But, they weren't friends being made. They were just in the same place. Church is different, as you don't go drinking together, play sports or "train". I just sit there like most church Brits, not saying much. Only older people or children talk. Between 13 to 35 (roughly) there just as inept as me or other. Not many people stick around for coffee, but it's RBT Study tonight, so it's a little easier.
Tried messaging another local church for RBT also, but no reply. I'm also finding it difficult to find any biblical tract business cards as most I've seen are personally written. May have to do my own as I find them lacking gospel content etc. And not because of size. That's another reason I haven't made friends, their generally unreliable and off-putting. I think most Brits just want to be left alone because they've been let down so often.
Tried messaging another local church for RBT also, but no reply. I'm also finding it difficult to find any biblical tract business cards as most I've seen are personally written. May have to do my own as I find them lacking gospel content etc. And not because of size. That's another reason I haven't made friends, their generally unreliable and off-putting. I think most Brits just want to be left alone because they've been let down so often.
D
Brit-talk to Ameri-talk -- What's RBT study?
Also, I'm pretty sure it's okay to drink as a Christian. Jesus did. He even made the good stuff. (I don't drink only because I think it taste nasty. No religious reasons. Then again, I also think coffee and tea taste nasty, unless it's chamomile tea. lol) I don't see problems with guys going to the pub, assuming no one is getting drunk.
As for sports? I thought the UK got sports like we get sports, except you tend to pick some odd sports to watch.
When (American) football season is here, we didn't go out for lunch. We were invited over to watch the Eagles at someone's house. The ministers know better than to do long sermons if the Eagles have an early game. That tends to cause watch-watching and fidgeting... in the adults. lol
Training? Yeah, hard to find anyone interested in the exact same thing you like. And it does seem like the gals are more likely to want to do something together than the guys, so you got me there. (Can you even get one guy to want to go antiquing or flea marketing? As I recall, the guys looked relieved that the gals wanted to do that together, so the husbands didn't have to join the wives that week. Sports instead with the guys. lol)
I never had to make friends until secondary school. (I think that's what you call high schools.) And only then because we moved. Before that, I had been friends with my friends before I even had the memory of how we became friends. It's learnable, even at an older age. Not easy, but it's possible.
And, I'm not buying England is all about staying alone. If that were true, there would be no next generation of Englishmen. I've seen English movies. London is not crowded with people walking all by themselves. (Some of them are, but I see people in groups too.) And even those small hamlets tend to have two people walking down the lush sides of the road. Even The Doctor on Doctor Who picks up friends along the way. lol
Also, I'm pretty sure it's okay to drink as a Christian. Jesus did. He even made the good stuff. (I don't drink only because I think it taste nasty. No religious reasons. Then again, I also think coffee and tea taste nasty, unless it's chamomile tea. lol) I don't see problems with guys going to the pub, assuming no one is getting drunk.
As for sports? I thought the UK got sports like we get sports, except you tend to pick some odd sports to watch.
When (American) football season is here, we didn't go out for lunch. We were invited over to watch the Eagles at someone's house. The ministers know better than to do long sermons if the Eagles have an early game. That tends to cause watch-watching and fidgeting... in the adults. lolTraining? Yeah, hard to find anyone interested in the exact same thing you like. And it does seem like the gals are more likely to want to do something together than the guys, so you got me there. (Can you even get one guy to want to go antiquing or flea marketing? As I recall, the guys looked relieved that the gals wanted to do that together, so the husbands didn't have to join the wives that week. Sports instead with the guys. lol)
I never had to make friends until secondary school. (I think that's what you call high schools.) And only then because we moved. Before that, I had been friends with my friends before I even had the memory of how we became friends. It's learnable, even at an older age. Not easy, but it's possible.
And, I'm not buying England is all about staying alone. If that were true, there would be no next generation of Englishmen. I've seen English movies. London is not crowded with people walking all by themselves. (Some of them are, but I see people in groups too.) And even those small hamlets tend to have two people walking down the lush sides of the road. Even The Doctor on Doctor Who picks up friends along the way. lol
It's not that great. There are poor and homeless people but they tend to be "Floating friends". The people they know who have homes, let them stay, moving from home to home etc. Drug addicts and dealers tend to stay indoors and off the streets, to not be seen.
Abortions don't happen near me as far as I know because the hospital is basically a what I would call a pre-hospital (under funded) hospital. The sexual health clinics are just for tests etc. Not abortions. I may look into where they are though?
Abortions don't happen near me as far as I know because the hospital is basically a what I would call a pre-hospital (under funded) hospital. The sexual health clinics are just for tests etc. Not abortions. I may look into where they are though?
Some soldiers are conscripted, they don't have the luxury of choosing to serve and they kill for a higher purpose,be it right or wrong.
That's how it was for us in WW2 except many Americans supported conscription because we felt bad for you guys because of those bombs falling on your heads.
Disdain for conscripted soldiers ain't cool man.
That's how it was for us in WW2 except many Americans supported conscription because we felt bad for you guys because of those bombs falling on your heads.
Disdain for conscripted soldiers ain't cool man.
T
I'll name a few of my activities, maybe some people can get ideas from them
Writing letters of encouragement; I have over a dozen pen pals, and I also write letters of encouragement to the elderly. I've been thinking of writing to prisoners or adopting a soldier or orphan as well. I use this as a way of witnessing of the truth. I don't bible-bash, but I have a Christian worldview and am not afraid to talk about Christ. On the way, I've found some amazing friends and great prayer partners.
Writing for the enjoyment and edification of others; I love writing stories, poems, and plays. I don't know if I'll ever get them published or not, but for right now I give them out to friends/family to read. I love to write a Christian story, or just some good clean fun. I would put any blogging, writing of pamphlets, and writing of newsletters under this category as well.
Writing for my own enjoyment and edification; I write a lot. I would put sermon notes, notes on the Bible/theological books, journaling, poems/stories that I do not show to others, and keeping a prayer journal all in this category.
Reading; I read a lot as well. Besides regularly reading the Bible through in a year, I read several theological books through in a year and a lot of non-theological books as well. Not all the authors I read are Christians. (gasp!). I do have a very strict view on what is appropriate and edifying, however. Most non-Christian magazines, (and a lot of books as well) don't make the cut.
Being in nature; This is my favorite! I love to garden, spend time with animals training them and loving them, hike, swim, play yard games with family and friends, watch the sunrises and sunsets, mow lawn, pick flowers, stargaze, the list is never ending! God is very good to give us such a beautiful world to live in, and He wouldn't have done it if we weren't supposed to enjoy it.
Movies; Ok, there's a lot of debate over this one in Christian circles. For me personally, I have not been convicted of any wrong in watching a few movies. I am very careful to limit my time spent in front of a movie (I personally limit to 2-3 a month), and of course, I severely limit the content. I think I've watched maybe 3 non-Christian movies that were made after 2000. Most of the movies I watch are older, or they're made by Christians; and even in those spheres you have to be careful.
Church activity; For me, at this point this includes cleaning the church, cooking the potluck meals, singing from the pews, welcoming guests (my sister and I are the only teenage members...we're pretty much on when it comes to trying to make the peer-dependent teenage visitors feel welcome!) and childcare. There are many things that need being done for a church to run properly, and the Bible makes it very clear that we need to all work together on this.
Music; Music and the arts, when used properly, are a great gift from God. I am not at all talented in any other of the arts, but I do have a small talent in music. I often play or sing at nursing homes, and go with a group that sings Christmas carols for shut-ins. I practice just for the sake of practicing, and pick up other instruments to try to learn just because I want to make music to the Lord in as many ways as possible. I also listen to a lot of Classical music. Not really into what gets billed as Christian music, and a lot of the modern stuff isn't good.
Serving the community; There are a lot of things to be done! I've recently been doing a lot of yard work and housework for the elderly. Look for needs, fulfill them.
Those are a few things, a bit to chew on anyway both for enjoyment and relaxation and service.
Writing letters of encouragement; I have over a dozen pen pals, and I also write letters of encouragement to the elderly. I've been thinking of writing to prisoners or adopting a soldier or orphan as well. I use this as a way of witnessing of the truth. I don't bible-bash, but I have a Christian worldview and am not afraid to talk about Christ. On the way, I've found some amazing friends and great prayer partners.
Writing for the enjoyment and edification of others; I love writing stories, poems, and plays. I don't know if I'll ever get them published or not, but for right now I give them out to friends/family to read. I love to write a Christian story, or just some good clean fun. I would put any blogging, writing of pamphlets, and writing of newsletters under this category as well.
Writing for my own enjoyment and edification; I write a lot. I would put sermon notes, notes on the Bible/theological books, journaling, poems/stories that I do not show to others, and keeping a prayer journal all in this category.
Reading; I read a lot as well. Besides regularly reading the Bible through in a year, I read several theological books through in a year and a lot of non-theological books as well. Not all the authors I read are Christians. (gasp!). I do have a very strict view on what is appropriate and edifying, however. Most non-Christian magazines, (and a lot of books as well) don't make the cut.
Being in nature; This is my favorite! I love to garden, spend time with animals training them and loving them, hike, swim, play yard games with family and friends, watch the sunrises and sunsets, mow lawn, pick flowers, stargaze, the list is never ending! God is very good to give us such a beautiful world to live in, and He wouldn't have done it if we weren't supposed to enjoy it.
Movies; Ok, there's a lot of debate over this one in Christian circles. For me personally, I have not been convicted of any wrong in watching a few movies. I am very careful to limit my time spent in front of a movie (I personally limit to 2-3 a month), and of course, I severely limit the content. I think I've watched maybe 3 non-Christian movies that were made after 2000. Most of the movies I watch are older, or they're made by Christians; and even in those spheres you have to be careful.
Church activity; For me, at this point this includes cleaning the church, cooking the potluck meals, singing from the pews, welcoming guests (my sister and I are the only teenage members...we're pretty much on when it comes to trying to make the peer-dependent teenage visitors feel welcome!) and childcare. There are many things that need being done for a church to run properly, and the Bible makes it very clear that we need to all work together on this.
Music; Music and the arts, when used properly, are a great gift from God. I am not at all talented in any other of the arts, but I do have a small talent in music. I often play or sing at nursing homes, and go with a group that sings Christmas carols for shut-ins. I practice just for the sake of practicing, and pick up other instruments to try to learn just because I want to make music to the Lord in as many ways as possible. I also listen to a lot of Classical music. Not really into what gets billed as Christian music, and a lot of the modern stuff isn't good.
Serving the community; There are a lot of things to be done! I've recently been doing a lot of yard work and housework for the elderly. Look for needs, fulfill them.
Those are a few things, a bit to chew on anyway both for enjoyment and relaxation and service.
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi tin,
Those arent a few activities, and many will get ideas from your list young and old. i am not a movie watcher also, and in fact sometimes think we be missing some real good ones for lack of time for those=). But it is alright, i say, for the Lord wants to show us how to use our time on more important, needful or helpful things. I know ive wasted enough time in my youth and only want to redeem time for the Lord's work now that i am old-).
Those arent a few activities, and many will get ideas from your list young and old. i am not a movie watcher also, and in fact sometimes think we be missing some real good ones for lack of time for those=). But it is alright, i say, for the Lord wants to show us how to use our time on more important, needful or helpful things. I know ive wasted enough time in my youth and only want to redeem time for the Lord's work now that i am old-).