What does it mean to you to be a Christian?

Friday Night during our Bible Discussion, I was in a group with 4 freshman who have probably only had about maybe 6 Bible Discussions maybe more if they go to the Freshman Bible Study night. We looked at the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Conversation was slower than usual because of the language barrier and because 3 of the 4 students are fairly quiet.

Near the end of the study, one of the girls asked me what it means to me to be a Christian? Simple answer, right? The question seemed to come out of nowhere. I then started to try and explain but I quickly remembered I am talking to students who don't have the background of information that I do. So then I tried to make a broader example of the Bible relating it to the Prodigal Son. I have no idea how effective it was but that simple question has really challenged me. I do not think that I have ever been asked that question. In America, people have stereotypes of what a Christian is so they have no reason to ask because they think they know. Well, here in Japan, there is not a stereotype amongst many students and she really wanted to know.

I pray that the Lord will use that time tonight to bring glory to His name. I am now challenged to come up with a 1-2 minute answer or illustration to help someone understand what it means to be a Christian. My initial reaction is, do you have an hour because I want to explain the whole Bible to you.

So if someone came up to you and said What does it mean to be a Christian, How would you answer them? Assume that they have little to no understanding of the Bible. I would love to hear some comments.