I had fun tonight speaking to 20 high school teens from around the world (Nigeria, Germany, Korea, USA, etc.) They make up the youth group of our International Church. I shared four perspectives that would help them when they found their Christian belief enduring a time of doubt and questions. Some of them had already had questions about their faith. Most will some day soon be away from parents and in a university or college. All of them will some day have to deal with a faith that is wavering.
What simple perspectives did I share in one brief talk?
1. You are not the first. Remember this when you find yourselves dealing with questions: about the trustworthiness of the Bible or apparent conflicts between Science and the Bible, etc. Other believers have had the same questions and have found answers that satisfied them. Don't be startled or think the credibility of Christianity is threatened. Assure yourself that you are not the first. You may not have a good answer to the question or issue that is suddenly bothering you - but someone has. Relax, there are answers that will satisfy. You will just have to do some searching.
2. Stay honest with God. God already knows our thoughts. There are no secrets with Him. Therefore we should always pray honestly. There is no sense pretending that we are firm believers when our hearts are filled with doubt. Don't be afraid to tell God that you are overwhelmed with sorrow due to a personal tragedy or a world full of tragedy and it is making you doubt His power or goodness. God is not frightened or shocked when we come to Him with our struggles. What is harmful is if we pray polite, meaningless words to God when He is waiting to hear us share from our innermost being.
Many of God's saints have struggled with questions and doubts. Just pay attention as you read through the Psalms, or Job, or Habakkuk. There is a reason that the Bible records many questions as well as many affirmations of faith. It is very human to struggle with doubt and questions.
I will share #3 and #4 tomorrow.
What simple perspectives did I share in one brief talk?
1. You are not the first. Remember this when you find yourselves dealing with questions: about the trustworthiness of the Bible or apparent conflicts between Science and the Bible, etc. Other believers have had the same questions and have found answers that satisfied them. Don't be startled or think the credibility of Christianity is threatened. Assure yourself that you are not the first. You may not have a good answer to the question or issue that is suddenly bothering you - but someone has. Relax, there are answers that will satisfy. You will just have to do some searching.
2. Stay honest with God. God already knows our thoughts. There are no secrets with Him. Therefore we should always pray honestly. There is no sense pretending that we are firm believers when our hearts are filled with doubt. Don't be afraid to tell God that you are overwhelmed with sorrow due to a personal tragedy or a world full of tragedy and it is making you doubt His power or goodness. God is not frightened or shocked when we come to Him with our struggles. What is harmful is if we pray polite, meaningless words to God when He is waiting to hear us share from our innermost being.
Many of God's saints have struggled with questions and doubts. Just pay attention as you read through the Psalms, or Job, or Habakkuk. There is a reason that the Bible records many questions as well as many affirmations of faith. It is very human to struggle with doubt and questions.
I will share #3 and #4 tomorrow.
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