Prepare For Attack!

I've been thumbing through a new book I bought called Apologetics for a New Generation: A Biblically & Culturally Relevant Approach to Talking About God and I came upon these paragraphs that show the importance for training young people in apologetics:

"Training in apologetics also provides an anchor during trials and difficulties. Emotions only take us so far, and then we need something more solid. Presently, most teens who enter adulthood claiming to be Christians will walk away from the church and put their emotional commitment to Christ on the shelf within ten years (Kinnaman & Lyons, unChristian, 74). A young person may walk away from God for many reasons, but one significant reason is intellectual doubt. According to the National Study of Youth and Religion, the most common answer nonreligious teens offered for why they left their faith was intellectual skepticism...From the moment Christian students first arrive on campus, their faith is assaulted on all sided by fellow students and teachers alike." (18-19)

When my son came home from junior high one day and told me that the speakers at his school's weekly chapel had said more than half of Christian kids will walk away from the Christian faith after they leave their parents' home, I wasn't surprised...I had experienced the things McDowell talks about in the above passage when I was in college. My professors taught that the Bible was man-made, inaccurate, legends, & formula stories - and I didn't know how to answer their claims. Could they be true? My faith was on the line.

Now, I know that when a person is truly saved, God never lets go of them, and I am so thankful for that. But think about the heartache and the sin & consequences that can be avoided if these young people stand firm in their faith and walk with God knowing their faith is on solid ground instead of being influenced by what they're being taught in universities or by the opposing worldviews they're suddenly faced with when they strike out on their own.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;" Scripture tells us we should be prepared to defend (respectfully & lovingly) our faith and one important reason for that is so that we ourselves aren't influenced by the lies we are sure to hear when we are away from our churches and our Christian friends & families.

So parents, don't let your kids take their faith for granted...and don't you take it for granted either! There are too many forces working against them and they need to have answers to the attacks on Christianity that they're going to hear. They need to have a strong emotional and intellectual faith.

And youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, Christian educators of any kind...encourage the young people you are leading to ask their questions and then embark on a journey with them for the answers. Jesus has no reason to fear any of our doubts or questions and discussing them shows young people that their faith is reasonable and intellectual - not backwards, ancient, or ignorant.

And young people...don't be afraid to ask your questions. It doesn't mean your faith is weak! Find someone who is devoted to biblically accurate answers and let them help you find those answers.