Lesson 404: "From My Question File"
Question: I haven't been a Christian for very lone, about six months. But already I don't feel like there is any farther that I can go. I feel so unspiritual and I can't find spiritual gifts within me. I feel so bad because I am constantly having doubts about God. I know He is there but sometimes it is so hard at my church because I feel like such an outsider. At youth I feel a little more in place but a lot of people just go for fun and eats. In our group our leader is only 17 as are the rest of us, but really, there are only a couple that can actually feel God. I have felt Satan but the rest of the group just do not understand why we can't feel God. We open ourselves up but we are very frustrated and I feel "simply lost". I have been studying the Bible so much and trying to change so much and I pray to come to believe in God more and be able to give everything up. But NOTHING IS REALLY HAPPENING. What can I do? And what can some of the members of my group do?
Answer: The "happening" has already occurred when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you are still feeling "simply lost" then you need to talk to your pastor/parents and elders/deacons of the church and perhaps make another (or sincere) profession of faith. After salvation, Jesus said you can now live a full and meaningful life (John 10:10), but there is no magic wand and Christianity is not always exciting (as the world would call exciting). Growing spiritually is a process and not an over-night-success. God's Word is essential for spiritual growth just as food is for physical growth (1 Pet. 2:2-3) so I commend you on your bible study. Prayer is just as essential to spiritual growth as breath is to physical growth (Phil. 4:6), and church is just as important as the home (Heb. 10:25).
Concerning your gifts; The Spirit gives them to each one just as He determines (1 Cor. 12:11) and you cannot will them into your life. The Corinthians were so caught up in the glitz and glitter of the gifts that they forgot the purpose of them. Spiritual gifts glorify God and build up the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:1-30, 13:1-13, 14:1-40) and notice that all gifts are used in an orderly and peaceful way, not to show off and not to lord it over someone who has not been granted the gifts.
As for your 17 year old teacher of your group, 1st Timothy chapter 3 has guidelines for overseers and deacons (this would include the office of teacher as well). One verse that stands out here is that they should not be recent converts (1 Tim. 3:6). Pray that your young group receive from God a mentor, teacher and/or leader with experience and maturity (James 3:1).