I left church at the age of 16, became an atheist and didn’t return until I was 23 after investigating the evidence for Christianity. Would I have left the church if someone had provided me good answers to my questions and concerns? I might have, but I’ll never know for sure because it didn’t happen.

We need to love and care for our children and youth in the same way we would want someone to care for us. If we had questions and doubts, wouldn’t it be nice if someone cared enough to show an interest and listen? Something bad is going on in churches and has been for decades. 

Christians have become so entangled with the world they live in, that they are not spiritually sensitive to their own children and young people. It takes time to enter into the world of young people to earn their trust so they’ll share their concerns. When children and young people ask tough questions, answer them to the best of your ability. If you are not able to answer their questions, invite them to search for answers with you.

When children and young people express doubts about God or Christianity, thank them for their openness and listen. If you’ve had similar doubts, tell them. Share with them how you deal with doubts. Teach them what it means to be a thoughtful follower of Jesus Christ. We do not want Christians to be mindless in their devotion to Christ. He deserves our minds, our hearts, our souls and every ounce of strength we have to give Him.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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