QKAG: Issue # 78

PAST ISSUE # 78
Questions Kids Ask About God

Question: What is a stumbling block?

Answer: A stumbling block is an action, behaviour, or speech by a Christian which causes a fellow Christian to doubt or lose faith in God. For example, if a professed Christian gets drunk, uses vulgarities, or fights with his neighbours; he portrays himself and Christians in a very bad light. After all, a Christian is a member of the larger body of believers and he or she represents that body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). As a result of the Christian's misbehavior, new Christians and even non-believers will think poorly of Christianity.

Key Bible verses:
Malachi 2:7-9; Romans 2:24, 14:13, 1 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Timothy 2:14; 1 John 2:10

My views:
In my home country of Singapore, we have a term we call our fellow countrymen who misbehave in foreign countries. They are known as the "ugly Singaporeans." As a result of a group of misbehaving Singaporeans, the image of Singapore has been tarnished. If Singaporeans are "ambassadors" of Singapore; we, Christians are ambassadors of Christ. The world see Jesus Christ by how His followers live, act and speak.
As for me, I confess I have stumbled many people in my Christian life. How? By saying mean and hurtful things, by being argumentative, by driving recklessly even though I have a cross hanging from my rear view mirror, by gossiping and so on. The list is shamefully long. As a Christian, I have failed to live up to the name that God has given me through Jesus Christ. Have you caused anyone to stumble? Today, let us ask God to forgive our sins of being stumbling blocks to new Christians and non-believers. Related topic in Issue # 75.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I confess to you that I have caused people to stumble by my behaviour and speech either through my negligence or deliberate fault.. I admit I often have not set a good example of being Your follower. I ask for Your forgiveness. Please give me the strength to control my tongue and actions so that I may not cause anyone to stumble. Lord Jesus, from today onwards, I want to bring people to know You through my godly lifestyle and speech. Amen.

Last words...
"whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble..." (1 Corinthians 10:31-32)
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