Stages of Faith
Stages of Faith
Encourage with great patience and teaching. (2 Tim. 4:2)
What They Believe
“Because I said so” might get you by for a while when you’re telling your child not to stick a knife into an electrical socket. But fast-forward to the teenage years, and this phrase doesn’t carry the weight it once did. Sooner or later kids begin to explore the universe and choose their own worldview. They pull their faith out of their chest cavity, reflect on it, and ask the critical question, “Why do I believe? Because my parents/pastor/peer group said so? Or do I believe because I’ve examined the evidence for myself?”
Why They Believe
Your kids need to go through this phase so their faith can become their own. It can be painful as you watch your older teen strip away some of what you hold as sacred. He or she is realizing that the world isn’t always black-and-white, and God can’t be contained in a neat little box and explained with pat answers.
When your teen moves into this phase of faith, don’t panic. Let him see some of your own doubts and struggles. Admit that some hard questions puzzle theologians to this day. And assure him God is big enough to handle any question. In fact, He doesn’t turn us away when we come sincerely seeking truth. As He did with doubting Thomas, Jesus simply invites us to step toward Him and examine Him closer. If your kids do that, they will not be disappointed. Their faith will become their own.
Bottom Line
Encourage your children as they forge their own faith in Christ.