GMs Putting Christ back in Gamers for Christ

Since we are doing a bit of a reset, I'd like to challenge everyone on an issue that has bothered me a bit. This may get a bit lengthy, so hang with me. I believe that as Christians we are called to live a life that honors Christ. I think when you put Christ in your organization 's title you expound that obligation. Many of us posted in the recruitment thread that we would love to play with fellow Christians. However, I have yet to hear Christ's name spoken in a single game. The Bible says as iron sharpens iron when rubbed together, so should His followers sharpen each other with close contact with each other. Our organization is not unlike a church. We have a founder and go to guy, Mark, who like a pastor usually has the final say. We have the GM s who are not unlike deacons or elders. I believe we have the opportunity to create a fellowship of believers who can not only have fun, but help each other be better Christians, and maybe even witness to someone. Who'd of thought you can actually role play for Christ. To this goal, I submit some following suggestions. Start a dedicated thread where people can post prayer requests, insights, and scripture. Don't be afraid to talk about these things before and after games. You can even open or close games with prayer. Create a dedicated  channel in discord, called "meeting at the alter, " where someone seeking help, can meet with another brother or sister and talk or pray..

I like this idea, one of the reasons why I believe that D&D has a bad reputation with the Christian community is because of all of this mythical stuff involved in the games. I would like to enact the idea we do a quick prayer before and after we play a game, and I also like the idea of a prayer thread for people to pray for each other on certain problems that comes up in life.  

I have also pm'd Mark about a storyline I have that enables clerics and paladins to follow the God of the Bible. I wanted to get his input before pitching it here.

Mix said: I have also pm'd Mark about a storyline I have that enables clerics and paladins to follow the God of the Bible. I wanted to get his input before pitching it here. For a story line in a game I like this idea a lot, but if we are talking about powers, spells or other homebrew stuff then I'd stay away from that.  If we are going to squash the home brew then we need to do it across the board. Not just pick and choose or were asking for it.  A one  off perk at the end of the story line like Gunner gave his players or I'm doing with the players in Trade War would be cool as well. 

Really glad to see this thread. Fellowship was my primary objective with this campaign. After all, we can all find a D&D game to get in to. I am very happy to see the campaign moving in the direction it is.  Mike said: Mix said: I have also pm'd Mark about a storyline I have that enables clerics and paladins to follow the God of the Bible. I wanted to get his input before pitching it here. For a story line in a game I like this idea a lot, but if we are talking about powers, spells or other homebrew stuff then I'd stay away from that.  If we are going to squash the home brew then we need to do it across the board. Not just pick and choose or were asking for it.  A one  off perk at the end of the story line like Gunner gave his players or I'm doing with the players in Trade War would be cool as well.  I agree. I PMed Mix about it and we have found a way that it can be implemented without creating homebrew material. I don't want to give any spoilers but it will be story line related. It is all about just changing names and not dynamics.  I definitely don't want the campaign to get so strict that it imposes upon a DM's creativity, so introduction of things like the perks or other things a DM might imagine up, including with the Dungeon Master's Workshop in the DMG, should be encouraged. We probably need to define "homebrew" so the two do not get confused with one another. Working on a way to maintain balance in a system that is really loose will be a work in progress. I think we are off to a good start.  Thanks for posting this. Good stuff.

I am attending College as of now and always would appreciate prayers in that regard. Planning on majoring in theology, and history, and want to teach Bible history as a subject. The amount of historical evidence for Christ and the Bible's validity is astonishing actually.

Regan C. said: I am attending College as of now and always would appreciate prayers in that regard. Planning on majoring in theology, and history, and want to teach Bible history as a subject. The amount of historical evidence for Christ and the Bible's validity is astonishing actually. Roll20 needs a like button. :) Definitely will be praying for you.

Thank you. anyone else have any?

Mix said: I have also pm'd Mark about a storyline I have that enables clerics and paladins to follow the God of the Bible. I wanted to get his input before pitching it here. Interestingly enough if we did this we would effectively be making it where a true follower of Christ would not use any magic. Only divine powers would be available to them through God because scripture states this in Acts 13-20,    13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. Would magic users be portrayed as evil villains we would need to defeat? Or would they be portrayed as people in need of Christ? (would they be hostile towards Christians, indifferent, or a mix?)

The DM guide gives you the basics for an "Everything" God. Basically you can choose any path, as an aspect of this God. Nothing changes except the name of the god you are serving. If you want to tap into Yahweh the Creator, you take Nature. If you want to tap into God's anger and wrath, you take War or Tempest. The only requirement is alignment. God is Lawful Good. Your character could be LG, NG, CG, or LN. None of us are perfect. Faerun has welcomed many gods, according to the source material, lately, so I'm sure ours won't break the realms.

Except our God is all powerful which would put us above every other false "god" in DnD. Also scripture states Christ expects us to strive to be good even though we are not perfect so I would think you would have to be good aligned at least. Not being rude just pointing out things from scripture and trying to figure out how our God would fare in this universe. (accidently used my bros account lol)

What I'm trying to do, is make a workable option as opposed to having characters worship pagan gods. I am not trying to make a realistic NPC of God. Yes I know the Star-breathing Alpha and Omega, could frown and destroy the realms. But that doesn't mean he would. The level and power of a cleric is based on the character's faith, not necessarily his deity's power. Otherwise all 1st level characters could start out with 7th level spells. I think there is an argument for LN in obedience, particularly when it comes to the aspect of War or Tempest. When the Israelites slew an entire tribe of people, babies and all, were they being good, or obedient? I see good as the will of God and Evil as opposed to the will of God. Yes God is always good, and Christ expects us to strive to follow His example. So, I agree that most of his followers would be good in alignment, and we can make that a stipulation, if everyone wants. 

Sure great concept here in truth, may need a bit of tweaking, but would the Bible be in the dimension as well?

Ryan C. said: Sure great concept here in truth, may need a bit of tweaking, but would the Bible be in the dimension as well? That's my current plan. As a matter of fact, a street preacher in Waterdeep already has a portion of it.

I like how earlier editions separated magic and divinity. Somewhere along the way in 2nd ed, they began to call them both spells and then later "magic".  Really though it is a point of view. As believers we know that there is a significant difference. Pagans and many others call anything supernatural "magic". So it would really be a matter of personality and background for the particular character that would be different. That character would see all other sources of power granted as being abominable. Way back in 1st or 2nd edition, I played a paladin of Christ that had this view. I would adventure with wizards on occasion but had some really fun role-play with others trying to show them the error of their ways and show them a better path. At the time, everyone else in the game I played was not Christian. Unbeknownst to them, I had my character quote scripture often. I guess they thought I was making it up on the fly because they enjoyed my paladin and thought him to be very wise and profound. lol Years later, after casual witnessing to one of the guys I played with from time to time, he received Jesus one evening while we were out at a Chinese buffet. He still plays D&D and just this last week I told him about this campaign. He is very interested in joining once his schedule frees up.  Role-playing has been used as behavioral practice for a long time... I think way before gaming and definitely way before D&D. I get that now as I have experienced practicing having Christ-like qualities that have stuck with me through the years.  D&D does get a lot of flack from many Christians. But to me it is just like television... it can be used to sell sex and vulgarity but can also be used to spread the gospel.  My goal as a DM is to always pose challenges that build character and team-building skills, working out dilemmas (sometimes moral ones like our last session), as well as just having fun enjoying the company of others. A year ago or so, a guy joined our home-game and I had no idea he was a prodigal son. He was very difficult in our sessions and his stubbornness and refusal to work as a team led to his character dying. He literally stormed out of the house and pouted in his car. My wife and I were not sure why at the time, but both of us knew we were supposed to invite him back despite our personal feelings about it. So we did. He later confessed to us what had been going on in his life for a number of years and let us know he wanted to get back to being right with God. We prayed with him and have kept in contact with him (her and I moved across country). He is doing much better now.  Just wanted to put that out there to encourage others to not limit what God is able to do when you have a servant's heart. :)

Sometimes I pretend the characters are wielding powerful technology. Like a wizard is not magically shooting fire, he has technology wired up that produce lazers/fire.

Mark S. said: Just wanted to put that out there to encourage others to not limit what God is able to do when you have a servant's heart. :) True that! As far as magic goes, here's my opinion. The weave is something in faerun that doesn't exist here. Like Chimeras and centaurs, it is make believe. It represents the manipulation of energies as a tool. A way to get a result and bypass science. The magic in this world is either illusion, aka slight of hand, or demon powered. Demon powered magic would be much like a warlocks magic, and I believe that any follower of Christ would be the enemy of pact magic. 

I totally understand that this type of magic does not really exist. In our world you are either an illusionist (aka stage magician), or you are deriving your powers from Demonic sources. There is no harm in the entertainment of an Illusionist as long as he does not derive his power from the Demonic sources. I do understand that this is a game and as long as people understand that real sorcery (aka the use of spells, divination, or speaking to spirits,) is clearly condemned in the Bible. Other than that though almost anything can be used for the spreading of God's message about his Son Christ Jesus and as Christians we have a Divine calling to attempt to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Interesting page here on subjects such as these. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Dungeons-and-Dragons.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.gotquestions.org/Dungeons-and-Dragons.html</a>

Kerri Everwood said: Sometimes I pretend the characters are wielding powerful technology. Like a wizard is not magically shooting fire, he has technology wired up that produce lazers/fire. I believe that there are actual campaigns where that may take place and even more interesting was the idea of a modern day DnD where the weave still exists and now there is Technomancy or magic used to manipulate technology such as an on/off cantrip doing what it basically says in addition to the other types still existing.

Regan C. said: Interesting page here on subjects such as these. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Dungeons-and-Dragons.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.gotquestions.org/Dungeons-and-Dragons.html</a> That's a pretty good treatment of the subject.

A bit of personal input here: I actually joined this gaming community/fellowship specifically because D&D is a hobby of mine that I enjoy, but I felt like I wasn't spending enough time with people of a similar faith. As a member of the military, it's actually quite difficult to find others that share my spiritual beliefs, and even more difficult to find time in my schedule to spend with those who do. I&nbsp;have an idea for how we can try to enjoy ourselves with D&D while studying God's Word. For those of you in my campaign, or anybody who doesn't necessarily play but instead spectates, I propose every session, shortly before it begins, one of us chooses a passage in the Bible, short or long, to which we can discuss with one another. This doesn't need to go any longer than 10 minutes, but if we really get into it, could take up most of the time slot. Even if it does, would it not be more benefiting for us to study the gospel anyways?

Regan C. said: Interesting page here on subjects such as these. <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Dungeons-and-Dragons.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.gotquestions.org/Dungeons-and-Dragons.html</a> I like this as well.

GunnarB said: A bit of personal input here: I actually joined this gaming community/fellowship specifically because D&D is a hobby of mine that I enjoy, but I felt like I wasn't spending enough time with people of a similar faith. As a member of the military, it's actually quite difficult to find others that share my spiritual beliefs, and even more difficult to find time in my schedule to spend with those who do. I&nbsp;have an idea for how we can try to enjoy ourselves with D&D while studying God's Word. For those of you in my campaign, or anybody who doesn't necessarily play but instead spectates, I propose every session, shortly before it begins, one of us chooses a passage in the Bible, short or long, to which we can discuss with one another. This doesn't need to go any longer than 10 minutes, but if we really get into it, could take up most of the time slot. Even if it does, would it not be more benefiting for us to study the gospel anyways? I wouldn't mind this for the weekend games. But on the weeknight games I'm normally the last one to the game or just plain late unless we have a late start so I wouldn't be able to participate. Most weeknight games I'm just punching out on the clock and then heading back to my office to play from there. It would take me another 30 mins to get home and I like the &nbsp;55mg internet connection at work better then the 3mg I have at home.&nbsp;

GunnarB said: A bit of personal input here: I actually joined this gaming community/fellowship specifically because D&D is a hobby of mine that I enjoy, but I felt like I wasn't spending enough time with people of a similar faith. As a member of the military, it's actually quite difficult to find others that share my spiritual beliefs, and even more difficult to find time in my schedule to spend with those who do. I&nbsp;have an idea for how we can try to enjoy ourselves with D&D while studying God's Word. For those of you in my campaign, or anybody who doesn't necessarily play but instead spectates, I propose every session, shortly before it begins, one of us chooses a passage in the Bible, short or long, to which we can discuss with one another. This doesn't need to go any longer than 10 minutes, but if we really get into it, could take up most of the time slot. Even if it does, would it not be more benefiting for us to study the gospel anyways? I am all for these kinds of ideas but think it should be clarified in the description of the session. It will also call for terms and conditions to be listed as I would like to see things conducted differently than what I have witnessed on some other Christian chats. For the same reasons as written here... 2 Corinthians 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: We can use Discord for the studies. I can create another chat room there. Ideas for a name?

Bible study, unless you want a fancier name :)

If you want a Bible study, I would be glad to do that, but I think I'd prefer it to be separate from the game, and I'd prefer something with video - like a Google hangout, for example.&nbsp; I think it's just much more personal when you can see each other face to face, and makes it less likely that the kinds of things that Mark is talking about will happen (if I'm interpreting his comment correctly). If we're serious about this, I would be willing to lead a series of short discussion-oriented studies aimed at discipleship and growing in obedience to Christ.&nbsp; I could be a little more flexible on time for something like this, but I would want to do it, not as a tag on before the game or after, but as it's own standalone thing.&nbsp; If you're interested in something like that, send me a PM, and we'll set up a time.&nbsp; I'd want a group of no more than 5 or 6 I think, to allow for good discussion and accountability.

If we do discussions on the Bible&nbsp;please make it for beginners and later on advance if you want. Another thing I want to do is using discord and we see how well it gets populated.&nbsp;

Count me in now I have no excuse to not be doing one as it would be right next to me on Discord. I pray that we keep each other accountable in Christian love and less because of legalism or duty. A word of caution is necessary here. While we need to be gracious to one another and tolerant of disagreement over disputable matters, we cannot accept heresy. We are exhorted to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints ( Jude 3 ). If we remember these guidelines and apply them in love and mercy, we will be safe from both legalism and heresy. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” ( 1 John 4:1 ).

<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gotquestions.org/</a>&nbsp; I found this website to be extremely reliable and educated when it comes to researching and providing Biblical answers to everyday questions. Now even the numerous people of many different denominations who help answer questions together to avoid bias still make mistakes so if you find something undoubtedly Biblically inconsistent please tell me and feel free to send them questions as well. Make sure to do your own research as well as we should not take someone else's word alone as even other Christians make mistakes and God wants us to be in his word as well and not dependent on others to do the other part of our relationship with Christ. I am guilty of this at times and pray for an increased desire to be in His Word. I believe this group would be the first step to this.

Mix said: Mark S. said: Just wanted to put that out there to encourage others to not limit what God is able to do when you have a servant's heart. :) True that! As far as magic goes, here's my opinion. The weave is something in faerun that doesn't exist here. Like Chimeras and centaurs, it is make believe. It represents the manipulation of energies as a tool. A way to get a result and bypass science. The magic in this world is either illusion, aka slight of hand, or demon powered. Demon powered magic would be much like a warlocks magic, and I believe that any follower of Christ would be the enemy of pact magic.&nbsp; This month, Unearthed Arcana presents two new options that allow arcane casters to express their faith in the gods. For warlock characters, the Pact of the Seeker defines a bond to a mysterious, inscrutable deity dedicated to gathering knowledge and lore. For wizards, the Theurgy arcane tradition creates a magic-user whose arcane instruction is guided by the teachings of a deity, and who gains the benefits of a divine domain. You can think of the material presented in this series as similar to the first wave of the fifth edition playtest. These game mechanics are in draft form, usable in your campaign but not fully tempered by playtests and design iterations. They are not officially part of the game. The material presented in Unearthed Arcana will range from mechanics that we expect one day to publish in a supplement to house rules from our home campaigns that we want to share, from core system options to setting-specific material. Once it’s out there, you can expect us to check in with you to see how it’s working out and what we can do to improve it. <a href="http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/faithful" rel="nofollow">http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/faithful</a> I feel as if we could possibly use these as the R&D at WOTC developed these with 5th ed in mind and they do own it after all. Let me know your response.

I would love a bible study group so long as we dont prescribe to set domination. The only thing that should matter is faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, and knowing that he is the way, the truth, and the light. No man shall come before the Father accept through him. I dont mind discussing denominational view points, but we cant adopt the "this is the only way" style of thinking as this brings division among his people. I also agree that this should be approached by putting the Milk before the Meat. Not everyone is at the same place in their walk and some of us may not have the biblical understanding that others have. A chance to read, study, then discuss would be good.&nbsp;

Shawn M. said: I would love a bible study group so long as we dont prescribe to set domination. The only thing that should matter is faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, and knowing that he is the way, the truth, and the light. No man shall come before the Father accept through him. I dont mind discussing denominational view points, but we cant adopt the "this is the only way" style of thinking as this brings division among his people. I also agree that this should be approached by putting the Milk before the Meat. Not everyone is at the same place in their walk and some of us may not have the biblical understanding that others have. A chance to read, study, then discuss would be good.&nbsp; Agreed. In my experience, I have sat many times hearing two people debate their denominational differences and not able to agree. When in fact, they were both right and if able to humble themselves one to another as commanded in scripture, they would have both learned something from one another. THAT is what I want to see and believe possible with this great group of people. :) Funny that we are using Discord even though I do cannot stand discord among the brethren. I vote we all start calling it Accord instead. LOL It will be our little inside joke for the group.

Oh guys! That's it! I am naming the chat room in Discord for the studies "Accord"! How appropriate is that? lol

Accord Chat Room

If we are studying the Bible, the denomination should take care of its self.

That is my point Kerri, there shouldnt be one.

Kerri Everwood said: If we are studying the Bible, the denomination should take care of its self. For someone who has grown up a Southern Methodist with half the family being Southern Baptist plus I have dated a couple of Catholic girls in my time, I can say this is not the case. We can read the same book but interpretation will vary on some things. We can use the same words but those words can have a different meaning based on our tone or inflection. Now take that different meaning and add a few hundred years of tradition to the mix.&nbsp;

I would also prefer to stay away from denomination as well. I have only seen one consistent result of denomination, division. Which is ironically the definition of a very similar word... Denominator (noun) :&nbsp;the number below the line in a common fraction; a divisor . Instead I hope that we can just come together to search the deep things of God. There is not one person here that God is not able to use for his purpose. I have already been very blessed just by the fellowship that I have received here.

<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/denominations-Christian.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.gotquestions.org/denominations-Christian.html</a> Good website detailing how denominations arose and the problems they pose to Christianity.

If we keep focus on Jesus and the reason we are studying the Bible, the main things stay the main things and the secondary the secondary.

Ok, that was a clever thing you did Mark. It was nice and maybe we should make a time for this Bible study group. I would like to do it but my time might be a little busy. Can we try this Bible studying either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Weekends are still good for me but I feel that it might be nice to take at least half an hour to an hour to study and read the Bible to the group that attends. If we do this once a week it might be good, but it also will only restrict others because of their busy schedules. So maybe we should do this Bible study twice a week for those that have difficult with their time. I would also say that before we start a session we do a quick prayer before we start. Thank you guys for talking about this really wanted to see a great group like this. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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