Allow your Teenagers Room to Question God and Make their Faith Their Own.
Terms like pluralism and tolerance have been redefined and overused in our culture to create an environment where teenagers are encouraged to try on different faith systems and view them as all the same. It has become popular to pick and choose the bits and pieces you like from the spiritual buffet based on your own personal tastes and preferences.
Religious pluralism: the acceptance of all religious paths as equally valid, promoting coexistence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluralism)
Tolerance or toleration: a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one’s own; freedom from bigotry. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolerance)
While these concepts are inconsistent with the truths of God’s Word and can be dangerous to our children if left unchecked, we need to realize that they will be curious about other religions and have real questions especially about how they can know their faith is the “right” one. As Christian parents, we need to continue to point our children to the truth while helping them study God’s Word to find real answers. Trying to protect them by cutting them off or simply answering with “because I said so” or “that’s what our church teaches” may do much more harm them good.
Recognize that they will have questions and they will experience doubt and may even wander from the truth. If this happens, I encourage you to remain faithful and to trust God to do His work in your teenager’s life. What might be happening is a difficult journey to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by way of questioning, doubt, examination, and speculation.
So what’s a parent to do?
- Pray hard
- Love them
- Never stop speaking the truth
- Trust God’s sovereignty as He works His plan in His time
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
Lots of people in the Bible questioned God: His faithfulness, His power, His nearness. God can handle it; He’s Big!
If you need help with apologetics material or answers to questions, I’m here and I’m praying for you!
Here’s a helpful website: http://www.alwaysbeready.com
in HIS service,
Pastor Mark