This week at middle and high school youth group we started a series on sharing our faith with people who have different beliefs. Part of the challenge in sharing our faith is that people ask some really hard questions that we just don't know the answers. Some of these questions, we may not have an answer to until we get to heaven. These questions require faith which according to Hebrews 11:1 is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Faith is hard to explain. Other questions are difficult but we should have some answer to if we are to help others understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. Here are some questions the groups came up with that someone who doesn't believe might ask us:
- Why do you believe in God?
- How do you know that God exists?
- What proof do you have that God exists?
- Why is Jesus so important?
- How do you believe what you can't see?
- Why should I believe?
These are some tough questions and ones we often ask ourselves. These are also questions that we need to think about and wrestle with so we are "...always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..." (1 Peter 3:15).
Here's the challenge:
First, I asked the middle and high school group to try to come up with their own answers to these questions and either write them down or video tape themselves answering the questions. Second, I asked them to ask their friends, family members, and other Christians these same questions and to write down or video the answers. At the end of the month we will compile the responses into a presentation. I hope this will help to encourage our youth and help them to get a better grasp on how God is at work in the lives of those around them and in their own lives. So, start asking yourself these questions and then talk to your friends and family and see what you find!
If you are reading this and want to include your response, leave a comment or send an email to youth@greenwichpres.org.
