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Over the last four Mondays, our church, in conjunction with ECC, has been conducting a condensed version of Christianity Explored (an informal course for people want to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him). As we only had four weeks, the organisers decided to focus on those core topics with a view of following up on CE attendees with invitations to explore Christianity further over Advent and Christmas.

We were so glad that two of our friends had expressed interest in attending and were even more happy to report that over the next four weeks they made it to every single session, even arriving at the venue earlier than most! I was very encouraged when I saw how the leaders created a non-confrontational, non-awkward atmosphere, where questions were encouraged, frank dialogue blossomed and people who were strangers at week 1 gradually warmed and opened up to one another over the course of the month.

At the final session (last night's), where the topic was about what it means to follow Jesus, the speaker left us this food for thought from the book of Mark:

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? [Mark 8:34-37]

Gain and forfeit. The whole world and the soul. Were you to weigh the soul against all the world has to offer on a set of scales, the latter would be as light as a feather. We were encouraged to ponder over the choice that lay before us, while aware of not just the benefit but the cost of being a Christian.

After the session was over, we were thrilled when our friend said she wanted to come to church. The course does leave you wanting more, especially if you've had some of your pressing questions answered, and in the light of the choice placed before us at its conclusion. Just gotta explore further.

I'm so glad! Praise the Lord.